Reading comprehension worksheet about Mercury in the solar system, designed for educational use.

Reading Comprehension Worksheet: Space and Solar System - Mercury

#### Instructions:
After reading the passage carefully, answer the questions provided.

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#### Passage Summary:
- Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System.
- It looks similar to Earth's moon but is larger.
- It has craters on its surface.
- It orbits the Sun quickly (88 days) but rotates very slowly (116 Earth days for one rotation).
- It is named after the Roman god Mercury, the messenger of the gods.
- One day on Mercury equals 1.76 Earth days.
- It is the closest planet to the Sun but not the hottest.
- It is one of the four rocky planets in the Solar System.

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Questions and Answers:

1. Is Mercury bigger than the Moon?
- Answer: Yes, Mercury is bigger than the Moon.
- Explanation: The passage states, "It looks a little like our moon, but Mercury is bigger."

2. How long does Mercury take to go around the Sun?
- Answer: Mercury takes 88 days to go around the Sun.
- Explanation: The passage mentions, "It moves around the Sun very quickly. It takes 88 days to go around the Sun."

3. Is Mercury very hot because it is close to the Sun?
- Answer: No, Mercury is not the hottest planet despite being closest to the Sun.
- Explanation: The passage states, "It is the closest planet to the Sun, but not the hottest."

4. Where does the name Mercury come from?
- Answer: The name Mercury comes from the Roman god Mercury, the messenger of the gods.
- Explanation: The passage explains, "It takes its name from the Roman god Mercury, the messenger of the gods."

5. Is it true that it is the largest planet in the solar system?
- Answer: No, it is not true. Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System.
- Explanation: The passage clearly states, "Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System."

6. How many Earth days is one day on Mercury?
- Answer: One day on Mercury is equal to 1.76 Earth days.
- Explanation: The passage mentions, "One day on Mercury is the same as 1.76 Earth days!"

7. What is the closest planet to the Sun?
- Answer: Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.
- Explanation: The passage explicitly states, "It is the closest planet to the Sun."

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Final Answer Sheet:

1. Yes, Mercury is bigger than the Moon.
2. Mercury takes 88 days to go around the Sun.
3. No, Mercury is not very hot because it is close to the Sun.
4. The name Mercury comes from the Roman god Mercury, the messenger of the gods.
5. No, Mercury is not the largest planet in the Solar System; it is the smallest.
6. One day on Mercury is equal to 1.76 Earth days.
7. Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.

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Boxed Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{Yes, Mercury is bigger than the Moon.} \\
2. \text{Mercury takes 88 days to go around the Sun.} \\
3. \text{No, Mercury is not very hot because it is close to the Sun.} \\
4. \text{The name Mercury comes from the Roman god Mercury, the messenger of the gods.} \\
5. \text{No, Mercury is not the largest planet in the Solar System; it is the smallest.} \\
6. \text{One day on Mercury is equal to 1.76 Earth days.} \\
7. \text{Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun.}
\end{array}
}
\]