The statement below is followed by four options. Each option is related to the item in the statement, but only one is always true. Select the option that always holds and makes the statement true.
"A solar eclipse always has ______."
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → The Moon between the Sun and the Earth
The answer must hold for every solar eclipse, without exception. An option that is present in most cases but can be missing in even one case is not always true.
Option (1) A full moon — this is never true: a solar eclipse happens on a new moon day, when the Moon's dark side faces the Earth.
Option (2) The Earth between the Sun and the Moon — that arrangement causes a lunar eclipse, not a solar eclipse.
Option (3) Total darkness on the Earth — in a partial solar eclipse only part of the Sun is covered and it does not become dark.
Option (4) The Moon between the Sun and the Earth — a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth and blocks the Sun's light; without this there is no solar eclipse, so this is always true.