The solar system is a fascinating and engaging topic when learning English vocabulary. Each planet's name often carries interesting stories and meanings. In this article, IDP provides a complete list of English terms related to planets in the solar system.
1. Overview of the Solar System Topic
The Sun is not only a massive celestial body but also the core that sustains life on Earth. Its light and heat provide essential energy to support the entire solar system.
Formation Stages of the Solar System
Collapse of a gas and dust cloud: Around 4.6 billion years ago, a region in a molecular cloud collapsed under gravity, possibly triggered by a nearby supernova or pressure increase. This collapse formed a rotating disk of gas and dust.
Formation of planets: Gravitational forces pulled particles together to form larger masses — the precursors of today's planets. The Sun became the central object, while planets like Earth formed at distances suitable for their material composition and temperature.
2. Vocabulary List of Planets in the Solar System in English
Vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
Solar system | /ˈsoʊlɚ ˌsɪstəm/ | The solar system |
Planet | /ˈplænɪt/ | Planet |
Asteroid | /ˈæstərɔɪd/ | Asteroid |
Earth | /ɜːrθ/ | Earth |
Jupiter | /ˈdʒuːpɪtər/ | Jupiter |
Mars | /mɑːrz/ | Mars |
Mercury | /ˈmɜːrkjəri/ | Mercury |
Neptune | /ˈneptjuːn/ | Neptune |
Uranus | /ˈjʊrənəs/ | Uranus |
Venus | /ˈviːnəs/ | Venus |
Saturn | /ˈsætərn/ | Saturn |
3. Useful Expressions About Planets in English
Here are common collocations and idioms related to planets in the solar system:
Common Collocations
Phrase | Meaning |
Distant planets | Planets far from Earth |
Rocky planets | Solid surface planets |
Gas giants | Massive gas planets |
Inner planets | Planets close to the Sun |
Outer planets | Planets far from the Sun |
Terrestrial planets | Earth-like rocky planets |
Dwarf planets | Small celestial bodies like Pluto |
Alien planet | Planet outside Earth |
Extra-solar planet | Planet outside the solar system |
Planet Earth | Earth as a planet |
Entire planet | The whole planet |
Orbit the sun | Move around the Sun |
Colonize a planet | Settle on another planet |
Land on a planet | Touch down on a planet |
Circle a planet | Orbit a planet |
Common Idioms
Idiom | Meaning | Example |
Shoot for the stars | Aim high | Do not settle—shoot for the stars! |
Over the moon | Extremely happy | She was over the moon about her scholarship. |
Ask for the moon | Ask for something impossible | Wanting a new car now is asking for the moon. |
Many moons ago | A long time ago | Many moons ago, people believed the Earth was flat. |
Once in a blue moon | Rarely | He visits his hometown once in a blue moon. |
Out of this world | Amazing or extraordinary | The Milky Way view is out of this world. |
Come back down to Earth | Return to reality | After vacation, it was hard to come back down. |
Starry-eyed | Unrealistically idealistic | She is starry-eyed about her new job. |
See stars | Feel dizzy | He hit his head and started to see stars. |
Written in the stars | Destined | They believe their love was written in the stars. |
4. Planet Vocabulary Quiz with Answers
Choose the correct answer:
Which planet is known as the "Red Planet"?
A. Earth
B. Mars
C. Venus
2. Which planet is the largest in our solar system?
A. Jupiter
B. Saturn
C. Neptune
3. Which planet has the shortest orbit around the Sun?
A. Venus
B. Mercury
C. Mars
4. Which planet is famous for its prominent ring system?
A. Uranus
B. Neptune
C. Saturn
5. Which planet is named after the Roman god of the sea?
A. Neptune
B. Mars
C. Jupiter
6. Which planet takes approximately 365 days to orbit the Sun?
A. Earth
B. Mars
C. Venus
7. Which is the smallest planet in the solar system?
A. Mercury
B. Mars
C. Venus
8. Which celestial body was once considered the ninth planet but is now classified as a dwarf planet?
A. Ceres
B. Pluto
C. Eris
9. Which planet is known for its extreme greenhouse effect, making it the hottest in the solar system?
A. Venus
B. Mercury
C. Jupiter
10. Which planet rotates on its side compared to its orbit?
A. Uranus
B. Neptune
C. Saturn
Đáp án:
B
A
B
C
A
A
A
B
A
10. A
Learn Planet Vocabulary with IDP
We hope this article helps you build a solid vocabulary base about planets in the solar system in English. Understanding these terms not only expands your language skills but also deepens your knowledge of the fascinating universe we live in.
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