Is It Hard or Soft? Rough or Smooth?

About this printable Hard or Soft science reading passage, NGSS-aligned (Grades 3-6)

This engaging Grade 4-5 science passage, aligned to the NGSS, explores the concepts of texture and hardness in everyday materials. Students will learn to identify and describe whether objects are hard or soft, rough or smooth, and understand how these properties affect their uses in real life. Important scientific terms such as texture, hardness, and absorbent are clearly defined and highlighted throughout the passage. Real-world examples help students connect science to daily life, while integrated audio support ensures accessibility for a variety of learners. The included glossary, Spanish translation, and comprehensive activities—such as multiple-choice questions and writing prompts—reinforce reading comprehension, vocabulary, and science process skills. This resource is ideal for classroom use, science centers, or independent study, providing an interactive and thorough exploration of how we observe and classify materials based on their properties.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz from Hard or Soft

Materials all around us have different properties that we can notice using our senses. Two important properties of materials are texture and hardness. Texture is how something feels when you touch it. It can be rough, smooth, soft, or hard. Hardness is how solid or firm something is. A material that is hard does not bend or change shape easily.

For example, a rock is hard and rough. You cannot bend a rock, and its surface feels bumpy. Glass is hard and smooth. It does not bend, and its surface feels slippery to touch. A pillow is soft and sometimes smooth. You can press or squeeze it, and it feels gentle on your skin. A sponge is soft and rough. It can be pressed and it feels bumpy.

Different materials have different uses because of their properties. Hard materials like metal are used to make tools and buildings because they are strong and last a long time. Soft materials like cotton are used for clothes and bedding because they are comfortable. Rough materials can help clean things, like a rough sponge for washing dishes. Smooth materials, such as glass or plastic, are used for windows and bottles because they are easy to clean and feel nice to touch.

When scientists study materials, they also look at properties like absorbent (how well something takes in water), flexible (how easily it bends), and elastic (how well it stretches and returns to its shape). Knowing about these properties helps us choose the right material for the job.

Interesting Fact: Diamonds are the hardest natural material on Earth! They can even cut through other hard materials like metal and glass.