Let's solve this step by step based on the passage titled
"Sky Colors".
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🔹 Step 1: Underline the Main Points in the Passage
Here are the
main points from the passage (these should be underlined):
- The mixture of particles in the atmosphere is constantly changing.
- Every color in the sky comes from the Sun.
- Sunlight is white, which means it is a mix of every color in the rainbow.
- As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, gases, dust, ice crystals, and water droplets split it into various colors.
- Colors we see depend on which colors are reflected and which are absorbed.
- Clear skies are blue because gases in the air reflect mostly blue light from the Sun.
- The sky gets paler when extra dust or moisture reflects other colors, diluting the blue.
- Sunsets are yellow (or red if the air is dusty) because the Sun’s rays travel far through the lower atmosphere, absorbing all the yellow light.
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✔ These are the key ideas that explain why the sky changes color.
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🔹 Step 2: Answer the Questions in Complete Sentences
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1. What color is sunlight?
Sunlight is white because it is a mix of every color in the rainbow.
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2. Why is the sky blue?
The sky is blue because gases in the air reflect mostly blue light from the Sun.
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3. What do you notice about the first four words? Why do you think they are set out this way?
The first four words are "Have you ever wondered?" They are set out this way to grab the reader’s attention and make them curious. This question invites the reader to think about something familiar, making them more engaged with the topic.
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4. What kind of sentences introduce the passage?
The passage begins with two
question sentences. These questions are used to engage the reader and encourage thinking before presenting the scientific explanation.
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5. Words such as the reason is, because, and which means tell us that this piece of writing does more than simply list facts. What else does it do?
This piece of writing also
explains cause and effect. It doesn’t just give facts—it shows how and why things happen by connecting ideas logically. For example, it explains *why* the sky is blue or why sunsets are red, using reasoning and explanations.
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✔ Final Notes:
- This reading passage is educational and designed for students to practice
comprehension,
identifying main ideas, and
analyzing text structure.
- It uses
rhetorical questions to engage readers and
explanatory language to teach science concepts clearly.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 3rd grade reading worksheets.