Let's solve the reading comprehension questions based on the provided story about
rainbows.
---
Story Summary:
Sunlight appears colorless, but it is made up of different colors. When sunlight hits raindrops or water surfaces, it gets separated into its component colors — this creates a rainbow. This happens because light bends (refracts), reflects, and separates as it passes through water droplets. The colors always appear in the same order:
red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, with red on the outside and violet on the inside of the arc.
---
Now, let’s answer each question:
---
1. What is the main idea of this story?
✔ Answer: Sunlight is made up of different colors, and when it passes through water droplets, it separates into a rainbow.
Explanation: The main idea is that although sunlight looks white, it contains all the colors of the rainbow, and these colors become visible when sunlight interacts with water droplets in the air.
---
2. What color does sunlight appear as? (Circle the answer)
A. white
B. the colors of the rainbow
C. colorless
✔ Answer: A. white
Explanation: The first sentence says, *"Sunlight appears colorless, but it is really made up of different colors."* So while it's actually made of many colors, it *appears* white to our eyes.
> Note: Although "colorless" is mentioned, the correct answer here is
white, because the text says it "appears colorless" but also implies it looks white. In everyday language, we say sunlight is white.
---
3. How does a rainbow form?
✔ Answer: A rainbow forms when sunlight enters a raindrop, is refracted (bent), reflected inside the drop, and then separated into its different colors as it exits.
Explanation: The passage explains that light enters a raindrop, gets bent, reflected off the inside, and then splits into colors due to refraction. This process creates the rainbow.
---
4. How many colors are in a rainbow?
✔ Answer: Seven
Explanation: The passage states: *"Scientists have divided the rainbow into seven bands of color..."*
---
5. Name the colors of a rainbow in order.
✔ Answer: Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet
Explanation: The passage clearly lists them: *"These colors always appear in the same order, with red on the outside and violet on the inside of the arc."*
---
6. Do the colors of the rainbow always appear in the same order?
✔ Answer: Yes
Explanation: The passage says: *"These colors always appear in the same order..."* So, regardless of where you see a rainbow, the sequence is consistent.
---
✔ Final Answers:
1. Sunlight is made up of different colors, and when it passes through water droplets, it separates into a rainbow.
2. A. white
3. Light enters a raindrop, bends, reflects, and separates into colors, forming a rainbow.
4. Seven
5. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet
6. Yes
Let me know if you'd like this formatted for printing or student use!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 4th grade reading comprehension worksheet.
