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Comparing Communication Methods — Reading Comprehension

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NGSS 4-PS4-3

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This 250-word informational reading passage helps Grade 4 students compare different communication methods that use waves to send information. Aligned with NGSS standard 4-PS4-3 and the Disciplinary Core Idea PS4.C: Information Technologies and Instrumentation, this passage builds foundational understanding of how sound waves, light waves, and digital signals work in everyday devices. Students explore telephones, radios, fiber optic cables, and computers while learning to compare solutions based on distance, speed, and technology. The passage includes audio integration for accessibility, bold vocabulary terms with immediate definitions, and real-world examples. Supplementary activities include multiple-choice comprehension questions testing recall and application, writing prompts requiring explanation and comparison, and graphic organizers for analyzing advantages and disadvantages of different communication methods. A simplified differentiated version supports struggling readers while maintaining the same core science concepts. Spanish translations of both versions ensure accessibility for English language learners. This resource prepares students for hands-on investigations and engineering design challenges related to wave-based communication systems.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Line drawing showing talking, telephone, fiber optics, radio, television signals. — Different communication methods use sound, light, and radio waves.

Communication is the way we share information with other people. People use many different methods to communicate over short and long distances. Understanding how these methods work helps us choose the best way to send messages.

Some communication methods use sound waves, which are vibrations that travel through air. A telephone changes your voice into sound waves, then into electrical signals that travel through wires or as radio waves through the air. The telephone at the other end changes these signals back into sound waves so the other person can hear you. Telephones work well for talking to people far away, but both people need phones.

Other methods use light waves. Fiber optic cables are thin glass threads that carry information as pulses of light. Light travels very fast, so fiber optic cables can send huge amounts of information quickly over long distances. Internet connections often use fiber optic cables.

Radio and television use radio waves, which are invisible waves that travel through air. Radio waves can reach many people at once and travel long distances. However, mountains and buildings can block them.

Computers use digital signals, which are patterns of electrical pulses that represent information as numbers. Digital signals can be sent through wires, fiber optic cables, or as radio waves. This makes them very flexible.

Each communication method has strengths and weaknesses. Sound-based methods like talking work for short distances without technology. Light-based methods like fiber optics are fast but need special cables. Radio waves reach far but can be blocked. Choosing the right method depends on distance, speed, and available technology.

What are sound waves?

Vibrations that travel through airLight pulses in glassElectrical signals in wiresRadio signals from towers

What carries information as light pulses?

Telephone wiresRadio towersFiber optic cablesSound waves

Which waves can be blocked by mountains?

Sound wavesRadio wavesDigital signalsLight from the sun

Why are fiber optic cables fast?

They use electricityLight travels very fastThey are made of glassThey are very thin

How do telephones send your voice?

As light through glass cablesAs sound through the air onlyAs electrical or radio signalsAs written messages

What makes digital signals flexible?

They can only use wiresThey travel through multiple types of pathsThey are always fastThey work without technology

Radio waves can reach many people simultaneously.

TrueFalse

What does communication mean in this passage?

Building with technologySharing information with othersListening to musicWatching television shows

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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

• Reading curriculum support
• Independent reading practice
• Progress monitoring

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Comparing Communication Methods — Reading Comprehension

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