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Can you give an example of a renewable energy source?

Interactive passage with audio narration, comprehension questions, and printable PDF.

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Grades 2–4ElaReadingScienceClimate changeEnglish · SpanishInteractive · Printable
Aligned toRI.3.1RI.4.14.4-ESS3

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Reading passage
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Comprehension quiz
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Spanish translation

Can you give an example of a renewable energy source? preview and details

About this printable Can you give an example of a renewable energy source? science reading passage, NGSS-aligned (Grades 2-4)

This passage focuses on solar energy as an example of renewable energy for children. It explains how solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity for use in homes and schools. The text highlights the benefits of solar energy, including its lack of pollution compared to fossil fuels and its quiet operation. It concludes by emphasizing the long-term availability of solar energy, helping children understand the concept of sustainability in energy production.
Written by Neha Goel TripathiPublished by Workybooks
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Sample passage and quiz from Can you give an example of a renewable energy source?

Reading passage and comprehension quiz preview

Example of a Renewable Energy Source

climate change, animal habitats, wildlife adaptation, endangered species, ecosystem

What Is Renewable Energy?

Some ways of making electricity use up resources that take millions of years to form, like coal and oil. These are called non-renewable energy sources. When we burn them, they are gone and cannot be replaced quickly.

Renewable energy is different. It comes from natural sources that never run out. Nature keeps making them, so we can use them again and again. Some examples are the sun, wind, water, and even heat from under the ground.

Solar Energy: Power from the Sun

The sun gives us solar energy. The sun will shine for billions more years, so we won’t run out of this power! Solar panels are special devices that capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. You might see solar panels on rooftops, calculators, or even satellites in space.

Solar panels work even on cloudy days, but they make more energy when the sun is bright. The best part is that solar power makes no pollution while it is being used. This helps keep our air cleaner and fights climate change.

Other Renewable Energy Sources

Wind energy uses turbines to capture power from moving air. Hydroelectric energy comes from flowing water, like rivers or dams, spinning big machines to make electricity. Geothermal energy uses heat from deep inside Earth. Biomass energy comes from plants and organic waste.

Why Use Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy is like a magic well that never runs dry—the sun keeps shining, the wind keeps blowing, and we can keep collecting power forever. These sources do not run out and create less or no pollution. They also help fight climate change and make new jobs for people. Many places now get much of their energy—sometimes up to half—from renewables!

But there are some challenges. The sun doesn’t shine at night, and the wind doesn’t always blow. We need batteries and other solutions to store energy for those times.

Interesting Fact:
Some schools and homes already use solar panels on their roofs to make their own electricity!

Comprehension quiz (8 questions)

1. Which energy never runs out?

Renewable energy
Coal
Oil
Natural gas

2. What do solar panels do?

Turn sunlight into electricity
Make wind blow
Store oil
Create water

3. What is a challenge with solar energy?

Sun doesn't always shine
Too much water needed
Makes pollution
Uses up coal

4. Hydroelectric energy uses:

Flowing water
Sunlight
Coal
Wind

5. Why is renewable energy important?

It creates less pollution
It uses up oil
It is always expensive
It only works at night

6. What do wind turbines do?

Capture moving air's energy
Make coal
Store sunlight
Use oil

7. Solar panels work best on cloudy days. True or false?

True
False

8. What does 'biomass' mean?

Energy from plants or waste
Energy from wind
Energy from sunlight
Energy from water
Curriculum

Common Core standards for Can you give an example of a renewable energy source?

RI.3.1

Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

RI.4.1

Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Who it's for

Perfect for the way you teach

Teachers
  • Build comprehension skills
  • Auto-graded quiz
  • Differentiated reading
Parents
  • Read together at home
  • Improve fluency
  • Quiet reading time
Homeschoolers
  • Reading curriculum support
  • Independent practice
  • Track Lexile growth
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