Let’s go step by step to understand what this reading passage is about and how to answer any questions that might follow (even though no specific questions are shown, we’ll prepare you to handle them).
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The passage is titled “The Inner Solar System” by Leslie Cargile. It talks about the four rocky planets closest to the Sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars — plus the Sun itself and the asteroid belt.
Here’s a quick breakdown of each part:
1.
What is the inner solar system?
- It includes the terrestrial planets (rocky ones) and the asteroid belt.
- “Terrestrial” just means “rocky,” like Earth.
- These planets have cores made of iron and rock.
2.
The Sun
- Center of the solar system.
- Made mostly of hydrogen, powered by nuclear reactions.
- Huge explosions inside make light and heat.
- Light takes 8 minutes to reach us.
- So big, you could fit 1 million Earths inside it!
3.
Mercury
- Closest planet to the Sun.
- You could fit 18 Mercurys inside Earth.
- Mostly rock with a huge iron core → makes a magnetic field.
- Orbits the Sun in only 88 days → very fast!
- Named after Roman messenger god.
4.
Venus
- Second planet from Sun.
- Called Earth’s twin because similar size — but that’s where similarities end.
- Covered in thick clouds of sulfuric acid.
- Winds blow sand at over 220 mph!
- Surface is dry and hot — average temp = 900 degrees!
- Pressure is 90 times stronger than on Earth.
- Takes 224 days to orbit the Sun.
- Named after Roman goddess of love.
5.
Earth
- Third planet — the one we live on!
- Rocky iron core, liquid water, air = mostly nitrogen + oxygen.
- Takes 365 days to go around the Sun.
- Has only ONE moon.
6.
Mars
- Fourth planet.
- Also has rock and iron core.
- A little more than half the size of Earth.
- Famous for its red color → caused by rust (iron oxide dust).
- White caps at poles = water ice.
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Now, if there were questions like:
- “Which planet is known as Earth’s twin?” → Venus
- “How long does it take Mercury to orbit the Sun?” → 88 days
- “Why is Mars red?” → Because of iron oxide (rust) dust covering it
- “What powers the Sun?” → Nuclear reactions in hydrogen
- “How many Earths can fit inside the Sun?” → About 1 million
You’d find the answers directly in the text — that’s what reading comprehension is all about!
Just remember: read carefully, underline key facts, and match the question to the right sentence or paragraph.
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Final Answer:
This passage explains the inner solar system — including the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars — describing their sizes, compositions, orbits, and unique features. To answer questions, locate the relevant section in the text and pull out the exact detail asked for.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of solar system reading comprehension worksheet.
