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The Space Food Lab — Reading Comprehension

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Grades
2
3
4
Standards
RL.3.1
RL.2.1
RL.4.7
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This learning resource is available in interactive and printable formats. The interactive worksshet can be played online and assigned to students. The Printable PDF version can be downloaded and printed for completion by hand.
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👩‍🏫 Teachers
  • • Reading comprehension practice
  • • Auto-graded assessments
  • • Literacy skill development
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  • • Reading practice at home
  • • Comprehension improvement
  • • Educational reading time
🏠 Homeschoolers
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  • • Independent reading practice
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Reading Features:

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Reading Passage
Engaging fiction or nonfiction text
âť“
Comprehension Quiz
Auto-graded questions
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Instant Feedback
Immediate results and scoring
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Printable Version
Download for offline reading

About This Reader

This engaging passage explores the fascinating world of space food technology, aligning with NGSS standards for engineering solutions and matter interactions. The narrative explains the challenges of eating in space and how they are solved through innovative food preparation methods. Through Sarah's observation of freeze-dried food preparation, students learn about the practical aspects of living in space while understanding the importance of engineering in solving everyday challenges. The passage effectively combines food science with space technology concepts.
QZ.RL.3.1-17

Sarah's class entered a room that looked like a kitchen from the future. Shiny metal containers lined the walls, and packages of freeze-dried food were displayed in glass cases.

 

"This is where we learn about space food," Alex explained. "Astronauts can't have regular meals in space because crumbs could float around and damage equipment."

 

Sarah watched as Alex demonstrated how astronauts prepare their meals. He added water to a silver pouch of freeze-dried spaghetti, and within minutes, it was ready to eat!

 

"The best part," Alex said with a grin, "is that astronauts get to have ice cream! But it's special space ice cream that doesn't need to be frozen."

Why can't astronauts eat regular food in space?

Because they're not hungryBecause crumbs could float and damage equipmentBecause there's no kitchen in spaceBecause they only eat vegetables

What did Alex demonstrate to the class?

How to grow plants in spaceHow to make a sandwichHow to prepare freeze-dried foodHow to cook on a stove

What happened when water was added to the freeze-dried spaghetti?

It explodedNothing happenedIt was ready to eat in minutesIt turned blue

What special treat do astronauts get to have in space?

Fresh cookiesSpace ice creamBirthday cakeChocolate bars

Common Core Standards Covered

RL.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
RL.3.1
Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
RL.4.7
Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.

Grade Levels:

Grade 2Grade 3Grade 4

Subjects:

elareadingscience

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