Two big ideas in one article
Grade 7 Reading Worksheet
Circle the best answer.
Read this first
Why the Sea Rises and Falls (article)
[1] Tides are the slow rising and falling of the ocean along a coast. [2] They are caused mainly by the Moon, whose gravity pulls on Earth and tugs ocean water toward it. [3] That pull creates a bulge of water on the side of Earth facing the Moon and another on the opposite side.
[4] As Earth turns, a coastline passes through both bulges, so most coasts have two high tides and two low tides each day. [5] The Sun also pulls on the ocean, though less strongly because it is so far away. [6] When the Sun and Moon line up at new moon and full moon, their pulls add together and the tides are unusually large.
[7] Yet the size of a tide depends on more than the Moon and Sun. [8] A narrow bay that funnels water into a shrinking space can pile it much higher than an open coast would see. [9] In the Bay of Fundy in eastern Canada, the water can rise and fall more than twelve meters.
[10] On a wide, open shore, by contrast, the difference between high and low tide may be only a meter or two. [11] The depth and slope of the sea floor near shore also affect how high a tide builds. [12] Sailors and fishers study printed tide tables for each port before they plan a trip. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: the Moon's pull makes two bulges of water | P2: Earth turns through them, and the Sun's pull can add to it Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): ?
Jun has finished Ladder A. Which choice gives both central ideas, including the idea that Ladder B would support?
- The Moon's pull, helped by the Sun's, makes the tides, and the Bay of Fundy has tides that rise and fall more than twelve meters.
- The Moon's pull makes two bulges of water, and the Sun's smaller pull adds to them at new and full moon.
- The Moon's pull, helped by the Sun's, makes the tides, and bays with the largest tides cannot be used as harbors.
- The Moon's pull, helped by the Sun's, makes the tides, and the shape of each coast changes how large they grow.
Why the Sea Rises and Falls (article)
[1] Tides are the slow rising and falling of the ocean along a coast. [2] They are caused mainly by the Moon, whose gravity pulls on Earth and tugs ocean water toward it. [3] That pull creates a bulge of water on the side of Earth facing the Moon and another on the opposite side.
[4] As Earth turns, a coastline passes through both bulges, so most coasts have two high tides and two low tides each day. [5] The Sun also pulls on the ocean, though less strongly because it is so far away. [6] When the Sun and Moon line up at new moon and full moon, their pulls add together and the tides are unusually large.
[7] Yet the size of a tide depends on more than the Moon and Sun. [8] A narrow bay that funnels water into a shrinking space can pile it much higher than an open coast would see. [9] In the Bay of Fundy in eastern Canada, the water can rise and fall more than twelve meters.
[10] On a wide, open shore, by contrast, the difference between high and low tide may be only a meter or two. [11] The depth and slope of the sea floor near shore also affect how high a tide builds. [12] Sailors and fishers study printed tide tables for each port before they plan a trip.
Kira is collecting evidence for the central idea that the shape of a coast changes how big the tides are. Which detail from the article develops that idea?
- Sailors and fishers study printed tide tables for each port before they plan a trip.
- Water squeezed into a narrowing bay can build a much taller tide than the same water on an open shore.
- Because the Bay of Fundy has the largest tides, it also has the strongest storms on the coast of Canada.
- At new moon and full moon, the Sun and Moon pull together, so the tides grow unusually large.
Luz has named the first central idea: that the Moon's pull, with help from the Sun's, creates the tides. Which choice states the second central idea in new words?
- Each harbor's shape changes the Moon's pull, which is why ports in different parts of the world need separate tide tables.
- Gravity from the Moon and the Sun tugs on the ocean, and the two pulls sometimes combine.
- Where a coast is narrow or shallow, the same pull from the sky can cause a much bigger rise and fall.
- In the Bay of Fundy, in eastern Canada, the water can rise and fall more than twelve meters.
A Sunflower's Turns and Spirals (article)
[1] A young sunflower plant turns its flower bud to follow the Sun across the sky. [2] In the morning it faces east, and by evening it has swung toward the west. [3] Overnight it slowly bends back toward the east, ready for the next day.
[4] This motion helps the growing plant collect more light, which its leaves use to make food. [5] The bending happens because cells on the shaded side of the stem grow longer than cells on the sunny side. [6] Once the flower opens fully, the stem stops growing and the head stays facing east, where morning warmth attracts more visiting bees.
[7] The big yellow disk of a mature sunflower is not one flower but hundreds of tiny ones packed together. [8] Each tiny flower later becomes a seed, so the disk eventually becomes a head full of seeds. [9] Birds and people both collect these seeds, which are rich in oil.
[10] The seeds are arranged in curving spirals that run both clockwise and counterclockwise. [11] This pattern fits many seeds into a small space without leaving gaps. [12] Counting the spirals in each direction usually gives two neighboring numbers from a famous number pattern, such as 34 and 55.
Milo is collecting evidence for the central idea that a sunflower head packs its seeds into a tight spiral pattern. Which detail from the article develops that idea?
- Cells on the shaded side of the stem grow longer, so the bud bends toward the Sun.
- Seeds packed in spirals stay fresh longer, so sunflower seeds can be stored through the winter.
- Birds and people both collect the oily seeds.
- The seeds sit in curving spirals that fit many seeds into a small space.
A Sunflower's Turns and Spirals (article)
[1] A young sunflower plant turns its flower bud to follow the Sun across the sky. [2] In the morning it faces east, and by evening it has swung toward the west. [3] Overnight it slowly bends back toward the east, ready for the next day.
[4] This motion helps the growing plant collect more light, which its leaves use to make food. [5] The bending happens because cells on the shaded side of the stem grow longer than cells on the sunny side. [6] Once the flower opens fully, the stem stops growing and the head stays facing east, where morning warmth attracts more visiting bees.
[7] The big yellow disk of a mature sunflower is not one flower but hundreds of tiny ones packed together. [8] Each tiny flower later becomes a seed, so the disk eventually becomes a head full of seeds. [9] Birds and people both collect these seeds, which are rich in oil.
[10] The seeds are arranged in curving spirals that run both clockwise and counterclockwise. [11] This pattern fits many seeds into a small space without leaving gaps. [12] Counting the spirals in each direction usually gives two neighboring numbers from a famous number pattern, such as 34 and 55. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: a young sunflower follows the Sun by day | P2: growth and light explain the turning, and a mature head faces east Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): ?
Noah has finished Ladder A. Which choice gives both central ideas, including the idea that Ladder B would support?
- A sunflower follows the light while it grows and then faces east, and birds and people collect its oily seeds.
- A sunflower follows the light while it grows and then faces east, and its head packs tiny flowers into a spiral pattern.
- A sunflower follows the light while it grows and then faces east, and each head has exactly 55 spirals in both directions.
- A sunflower follows the Sun across the sky by day, and it bends back toward the east overnight.
A Sunflower's Turns and Spirals (article)
[1] A young sunflower plant turns its flower bud to follow the Sun across the sky. [2] In the morning it faces east, and by evening it has swung toward the west. [3] Overnight it slowly bends back toward the east, ready for the next day.
[4] This motion helps the growing plant collect more light, which its leaves use to make food. [5] The bending happens because cells on the shaded side of the stem grow longer than cells on the sunny side. [6] Once the flower opens fully, the stem stops growing and the head stays facing east, where morning warmth attracts more visiting bees.
[7] The big yellow disk of a mature sunflower is not one flower but hundreds of tiny ones packed together. [8] Each tiny flower later becomes a seed, so the disk eventually becomes a head full of seeds. [9] Birds and people both collect these seeds, which are rich in oil.
[10] The seeds are arranged in curving spirals that run both clockwise and counterclockwise. [11] This pattern fits many seeds into a small space without leaving gaps. [12] Counting the spirals in each direction usually gives two neighboring numbers from a famous number pattern, such as 34 and 55.
Pia has named the first central idea: that a sunflower turns toward the light while it grows. Which choice states the second central idea in new words?
- The seeds of a sunflower sit in spirals that can be counted in two directions.
- A growing sunflower bends toward the light, then holds its head still, facing the morning Sun.
- A sunflower's seeds are arranged in spirals so that birds can reach them more easily and carry them far away.
- The center of a sunflower is a crowd of tiny flowers whose seeds are arranged to use space well.
Making Power from Wind (article)
[1] A wind turbine turns the motion of moving air into electricity. [2] When wind pushes on the long blades, they spin a shaft that is connected to a generator. [3] Inside the generator, magnets and coils of wire move past each other, which creates an electric current.
[4] Tall towers help because wind is usually stronger and steadier high above the ground. [5] The blades are shaped something like airplane wings, so moving air flows smoothly across them and turns the rotor. [6] A turbine can also tilt its blades to catch more wind or to slow down in a storm.
[7] Wind does not blow at a steady speed, however, so a turbine's output rises and falls. [8] On a calm day it may produce little or nothing, while in a storm it may be shut down to protect its parts. [9] Because of this, a power company cannot count on wind alone to keep the lights on.
[10] Grid operators balance the swings by combining wind with other sources, such as hydropower and solar panels. [11] Large batteries can also store extra electricity from windy hours and release it later. [12] Many wind farms share their land with grazing cattle or crops.
Ren is collecting evidence for the central idea that wind changes from hour to hour and wind power therefore needs planning. Which detail from the article develops that idea?
- Wind farms have caused so many blackouts that most power companies have stopped building them.
- On a calm day, a turbine may make little or no electricity.
- Blades shaped like airplane wings let moving air flow smoothly and turn the rotor.
- Many wind farms share their land with grazing cattle or crops.
Making Power from Wind (article)
[1] A wind turbine turns the motion of moving air into electricity. [2] When wind pushes on the long blades, they spin a shaft that is connected to a generator. [3] Inside the generator, magnets and coils of wire move past each other, which creates an electric current.
[4] Tall towers help because wind is usually stronger and steadier high above the ground. [5] The blades are shaped something like airplane wings, so moving air flows smoothly across them and turns the rotor. [6] A turbine can also tilt its blades to catch more wind or to slow down in a storm.
[7] Wind does not blow at a steady speed, however, so a turbine's output rises and falls. [8] On a calm day it may produce little or nothing, while in a storm it may be shut down to protect its parts. [9] Because of this, a power company cannot count on wind alone to keep the lights on.
[10] Grid operators balance the swings by combining wind with other sources, such as hydropower and solar panels. [11] Large batteries can also store extra electricity from windy hours and release it later. [12] Many wind farms share their land with grazing cattle or crops. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: spinning blades drive a generator that makes current | P2: towers, blade shape and tilt help capture more wind Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): ?
Tala has finished Ladder A. Which choice gives both central ideas, including the idea that Ladder B would support?
- Turbines turn moving air into electricity, and tall towers reach stronger and steadier wind.
- Turbines turn moving air into electricity, and many wind farms share their land with grazing cattle.
- Turbines turn moving air into electricity, and changing wind means power companies must plan for the ups and downs.
- Turbines turn moving air into electricity, and batteries now remove the need for any other source of power.
Seeds on the Move (article)
[1] A seed that drops directly beneath its parent plant faces a difficult start. [2] The parent's leaves block sunlight, and its roots already use much of the water and nutrients in the soil. [3] Seedlings that grow too close together must also compete with each other for the same resources.
[4] For this reason, plants whose seeds travel away from home often have more young plants survive. [5] A seed that lands in an open, sunny spot has room to grow without being shaded. [6] The scientific name for this movement of seeds is dispersal.
[7] Plants rely on several kinds of travel. [8] A maple seed has a wing that makes it spin like a tiny helicopter, so the wind carries it away from the tree. [9] A burdock burr is covered in small hooks, which catch on an animal's fur and ride along until they fall off.
[10] Coconuts have a thick, fibrous husk that floats, so ocean currents can carry them to distant shores. [11] Some fruits are sweet, and an animal that eats one may drop the seeds far from the plant. [12] Each design suits the way its seed travels. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: seeds beneath the parent face shade and crowding | P2: seeds that travel have better chances of growing Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): ?
Ari has finished Ladder A. Which choice gives both central ideas, including the idea that Ladder B would support?
- Seeds that stay near the parent plant struggle, and coconuts need ocean currents to grow into palm trees.
- Seeds that stay near the parent plant struggle, and many plants have special designs that move their seeds away.
- Seeds that stay near the parent plant struggle, and a seed that lands in an open, sunny spot has room to grow.
- Seeds that stay near the parent plant struggle, and a maple seed has a wing that spins in the wind.
Seeds on the Move (article)
[1] A seed that drops directly beneath its parent plant faces a difficult start. [2] The parent's leaves block sunlight, and its roots already use much of the water and nutrients in the soil. [3] Seedlings that grow too close together must also compete with each other for the same resources.
[4] For this reason, plants whose seeds travel away from home often have more young plants survive. [5] A seed that lands in an open, sunny spot has room to grow without being shaded. [6] The scientific name for this movement of seeds is dispersal.
[7] Plants rely on several kinds of travel. [8] A maple seed has a wing that makes it spin like a tiny helicopter, so the wind carries it away from the tree. [9] A burdock burr is covered in small hooks, which catch on an animal's fur and ride along until they fall off.
[10] Coconuts have a thick, fibrous husk that floats, so ocean currents can carry them to distant shores. [11] Some fruits are sweet, and an animal that eats one may drop the seeds far from the plant. [12] Each design suits the way its seed travels.
Esme is collecting evidence for the central idea that seeds that stay near their parent plant have a hard start. Which detail from the article develops that idea?
- Seedlings beneath a parent plant cannot sprout, because their seeds need sunlight to open.
- The parent's leaves block sunlight, and its roots already use much of the soil's water.
- A coconut's thick husk floats, so ocean currents can carry it to distant shores.
- The scientific name for the movement of seeds is dispersal.