Grade 3 Reading Comprehension Non-Fiction | Free English Worksheets - Free Printable

Reading Comprehension: "The Moon"

#### Text Summary:
The passage describes the Moon as a natural satellite of Earth, not a planet. It explains that the Moon has different phases (full moon, half moon, crescent moon) due to how sunlight shines on its surface. The Moon lacks air and water, making it inhospitable for life. Its surface is covered in craters and mountains, and it influences ocean tides through its gravitational pull. Humans have landed spacecraft on the Moon and can see Earth from its surface.

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Questions and Answers:

1. What is the Moon?
- The Moon is our celestial friend that lights up the night sky. It is a natural satellite that orbits Earth.

2. What causes different phases of the Moon?
- Different phases of the Moon are caused by how sunlight shines on its surface. As the Moon orbits Earth, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes, creating phases like full moon, half moon, and crescent moon.

3. Can living things survive on the Moon? Why or why not?
- No, living things cannot survive on the Moon. This is because the Moon does not have air or water, which are essential for life.

4. What influences the tides in our oceans?
- The Moon influences the tides in our oceans due to its gravitational pull.

5. What can you see from the Moon's surface?
- From the Moon's surface, you can see Earth in the sky, just like we see the Moon from our planet.

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Explanation of Solutions:

- Question 1: The text explicitly states that the Moon is a natural satellite of Earth, not a planet.
- Question 2: The passage explains that the phases of the Moon are caused by the way sunlight reflects off its surface as it orbits Earth.
- Question 3: The text mentions that the Moon lacks air and water, which are necessary for life, so living things cannot survive there.
- Question 4: The influence of the Moon on ocean tides is directly stated as being due to its gravitational pull.
- Question 5: The passage imagines standing on the Moon and seeing Earth in the sky, similar to how we see the Moon from Earth.

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Final Answer:

1. The Moon is a natural satellite that orbits Earth.
2. Different phases of the Moon are caused by how sunlight shines on its surface.
3. No, living things cannot survive on the Moon because it lacks air and water.
4. The Moon's gravitational pull influences the tides in our oceans.
5. From the Moon's surface, you can see Earth in the sky.

Boxed Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{The Moon is a natural satellite that orbits Earth.} \\
2. \text{Different phases of the Moon are caused by how sunlight shines on its surface.} \\
3. \text{No, living things cannot survive on the Moon because it lacks air and water.} \\
4. \text{The Moon's gravitational pull influences the tides in our oceans.} \\
5. \text{From the Moon's surface, you can see Earth in the sky.}
\end{array}
}
\]