How the Eye Works · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

How the Eye Works

Science · The Human Body · ages 7-9
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which part of the eye bends light so it lands correctly on the back of the eye?

    • Pupil
    • Lens
    • Retina

  2. What is the small dark circle in the middle of your eye called?

    • Pupil
    • Lens
    • Retina

  3. The retina sends signals to the brain through the optic nerve.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Look at the order below. What comes right after the lens?

    PupilLensRetinaNerveBrain
    • Retina
    • Pupil
    • Brain

  5. Right after light enters through the pupil, what happens next?

    • The retina sends a signal
    • The brain understands the picture
    • The lens focuses the light

  6. Your pupil stays exactly the same size whether the room is bright or dark.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. You walk from a sunny yard into a dark closet. What do your pupils do?

    • They get smaller to block out light
    • They close completely so no light gets in
    • They get bigger to let in more light

  8. Ben says, 'The lens detects light, and the retina focuses it.' What did Ben mix up?

    • He mixed up the pupil and the optic nerve
    • He swapped the jobs of the lens and the retina
    • He said the brain does nothing
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_-gkJdxJUQT-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

How the Eye Works W1-mt_-gkJdxJUQT-s1

  1. Lens · The lens is the part that focuses the light. The pupil just lets light in.
  2. Pupil · The pupil is the opening that lets light into your eye.
  3. True · The retina detects the light, and the optic nerve carries that signal to your brain.
  4. Retina · After the lens focuses the light, it lands on the retina.
  5. The lens focuses the light · The lens focuses the light before it ever reaches the retina.
  6. False · Your pupil grows bigger in the dark and shrinks in bright light.
  7. They get bigger to let in more light · In dim light your pupils grow bigger so more light can reach your retina.
  8. He swapped the jobs of the lens and the retina · The lens focuses light. The retina is the one that detects it.
Worksheet · LightMySky