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Factual passages · Question 89 of 435

Why do we have a leap year every four years?

Question 89

MediumOriginal question

The Earth is a rocky planet with a solid, surface of mountains, valleys, canyons and plains. But what makes it special is water. It is an ocean planet: water covers about seventy per cent of its surface.

Its atmosphere is made mostly of nitrogen, with plenty of oxygen for living things to breathe. It is also a . Most of the small rocks from space that head towards the Earth burn up and break apart in the atmosphere before they can reach the ground.

The atmosphere is also just the right thickness to keep the planet warm enough for life. As far as we know, the Earth is the only planet in the solar system where life exists.

A day on Earth lasts a little under twenty-four hours, and a year lasts about 365 and a quarter days. Those extra quarter days add up to one whole day every four years, which is why we have a .

You might think that we already know everything about our own planet. We do not. Satellites circling the Earth are still measuring its weather, oceans, soil and climate, and still discovering new things about the only home we have.

Why do we have a leap year every four years?

Options for question 89

Show the answer and explanation
CorrectNot quiteAnswer B

Correct answer: B

Explanation

  1. The fourth paragraph says a year lasts about 365 and a quarter days, and "Those extra quarter days add up to one whole day every four years".

Worth noting

The passage says a day lasts "a little under" twenty-four hours, not exactly.

Concept
Following a simple calculation
Typical time
40 s
Your time
—
The rule this testsA detail the passage states
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Ten questions from Factual passages, at your own pace.

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Ten questions from Factual passages, at your own pace.