Notes

This printable is aligned with CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.6, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.7, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.6, and CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.7 Lexile - 1010L, 177 words

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Science Reading Space - Grade 8 (Grade 8)

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1. 
Have you ever seen a red moon? It's a sight that usually happens only a couple times a year. What causes a red moon? The ancient Incan people believed that when the moon turned blood-red, it was being eaten by a jaguar. Today we understand that the moon turns red as it passes through the Earth's shadow, or umbra, during a lunar eclipse. For a total lunar eclipse to happen, the Earth, sun, and moon must align precisely. Because it does not happen very often, the sight of a lunar eclipse is as marvelous today as when the ancient Incan people gazed upon it hundreds of years ago.
A. 
Based on the information in the article, why is it possible that a person may never see a red moon?
  1. It does not happen frequently.
  2. It is always covered by clouds.
  3. The moon never actually looks red.
  4. The sun covers up the moon.
B. 
The author shared what Incan people believed about the red moon. Why did the author share this information?
  1. to provide a logical explanation for the appearance of the red moon
  2. to explain how people's understanding of the red moon has changed over time
  3. to introduce a story about the history of the red moon
  4. to show how rare the red moon really is
C. 
According to the passage, what causes the moon to turn red?
  1. light reflecting from the sun's surface
  2. a jaguar eating the moon
  3. a change in the moon's chemical composition
  4. passing through the Earth's shadow
D. 
The author includes a diagram of the text. What does the diagram show?
  1. dates when a red moon will appear
  2. the position of the sun, Earth, and moon during a red moon
  3. how a red moon looks to the human eye
  4. an picture of the red moon from space
E. 
The author says that for a red moon to appear the Earth, sun, and moon must align precisely. PRECISELY means:
  1. connect in a circle
  2. happens only twice a year
  3. must happen exactly
  4. on top of each other
2. 



Did you ever draw a picture of the sun when you were young? Chances are you colored a simple yellow circle. However, peel back its layers, and our closest star is much more complex than it first appears. Although it is fairly average compared to other stars, the dynamic structure and nature of the sun provide us with the heat and light necessary for life to exist on Earth.
A. 
The author opens the passage with a question. The purpose of this question is to:
  1. get readers to think back to their childhood art skills.
  2. explain why the sun looks like a yellow circle.
  3. introduce instruction on how to draw the sun.
  4. provide a contrast for the actual composition of the sun.
B. 
The author includes a diagram in the passage. This diagram shows:
  1. the different layers of the sun.
  2. a child's drawing of the sun.
  3. how the sun provides light and heat.
  4. why the sun is yellow.
C. 
The author describes the sun as a dynamic structure. DYNAMIC means:
  1. positive in energy and attitude.
  2. full of constant change or activity.
  3. a large range of sound.
  4. very simple in shape.

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