Premium

Hot and Cold Deserts

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

No ratings yet

Just this resource

$1.50

One-time purchase

Best value

Unlock everything

$49.99$29.99/yr

40% off until Aug 1 — 6,000+ resources

Unlock above to use these actions

Format: Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
Grades: 5678
Subjects: scienceela
Standards: MS-ESS2-6
Languages: English, Spanish

Send Feedback / Report an Issue

What's included

Reading passage

Reading comprehension

Audio narration

With word word highlighting

Comprehension quiz

Auto-graded

Writing activity

Open-ended response

Glossary & flashcards

Vocabulary practice

Differentiated version

Adapted for varied levels

Spanish translation

Bilingual support

About this reader

This comprehensive middle school science passage, aligned to NGSS standard MS-ESS2-6, explores the similarities and differences between hot and cold deserts. Students will learn that deserts are not always defined by temperature, but by low precipitation. The passage explains how latitude and elevation determine whether a desert is hot or cold, using examples like the Sahara, Sonoran, Gobi, Patagonia, and Antarctic deserts. It also discusses seasonal variations and the underlying scientific mechanisms that shape desert climates. Designed for grades 6-8, the passage incorporates academic vocabulary in context and includes accessible differentiated versions, Spanish translations, a glossary, quizzes, writing prompts, and graphic organizers. Audio integration supports diverse learners. This resource is perfect for classrooms exploring Earth’s systems and the dynamic interactions that define biomes.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

Sonoran Desert National Monument (53722643877) — Sonoran Desert National Monument by BLMArizona / Wikimedia Commons

Deserts cover about one-third of Earth’s land surface, but not all deserts are scorching hot. Some, like the vast Gobi and Antarctic deserts, are cold for most of the year. The main characteristic that defines a desert is not temperature, but extremely low precipitation—usually less than 25 centimeters per year. This means that both hot and cold deserts share very dry conditions, but their temperatures and seasonal patterns can be very different. Understanding the mechanisms behind these differences reveals important connections between Earth’s atmosphere, geography, and climate systems.

How Latitude and Elevation Shape Desert Temperatures

The temperature of a desert depends on its latitude—how far it is from the equator—and its elevation—how high it is above sea level. Hot deserts, such as the Sahara in Africa and the Sonoran Desert in North America, are typically found at low latitudes near the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn, where sunlight is most direct. These regions receive intense solar energy, leading to average summer temperatures often above 38°C (100°F). In contrast, cold deserts like the Gobi in Asia and the Antarctic Desert are located at higher latitudes or high elevations, where sunlight is weaker and temperatures remain much lower. For example, the Antarctic Desert is the coldest place on Earth, with average annual temperatures well below freezing. Elevation also plays a key role: the Gobi Desert, for instance, sits over 900 meters above sea level, which contributes to its cold climate despite being far from the poles.

Seasonal Variations in Hot and Cold Deserts

Both hot and cold deserts experience seasonal changes, but the patterns are different due to their locations and physical features. In hot deserts like the Sahara and Sonoran, summers are extremely hot and dry, while winters are milder but still warm, with little rainfall. Temperatures can swing dramatically between day and night—sometimes by more than 20°C—because dry air holds little heat. Cold deserts, such as the Gobi and Patagonia, have long, harsh winters with temperatures often below freezing and short, cool summers. The Antarctic Desert barely warms above -20°C, even in summer. Precipitation in both types remains very low all year, but in cold deserts, much of it falls as snow rather than rain. Scientists have measured that less than 2% of the Antarctic Desert’s surface receives more than 5 centimeters of precipitation annually.

Desert Systems and the Science of Low Precipitation

Deserts are created by global wind and weather patterns that limit moisture. For example, many hot deserts lie in the path of subtropical high-pressure zones, where sinking dry air prevents cloud formation and rain. Cold deserts often form in the rain shadow of mountain ranges or at the poles, where cold air holds little moisture and precipitation is scarce. Both types of desert are fragile systems—small changes in climate can have large impacts on their ecosystems. Studying deserts helps scientists understand how Earth’s systems interact, and how climate change could affect water supplies and biodiversity in the future.

In summary, deserts are defined by their dryness, not by temperature. The interplay of latitude, elevation, and atmospheric circulation explains why some deserts are baking hot and others icy cold. Learning about these unique environments deepens our understanding of Earth’s dynamic systems and the importance of conserving limited water resources.

Interesting Fact:
About 70% of the world’s deserts are cold deserts, including the largest—Antarctica!

What is the main characteristic that defines a desert?

Low precipitationHigh temperatureLots of sandCold nights

Which of the following is a cold desert?

SonoranSaharaAntarcticArabian

What does 'elevation' mean in the context of deserts?

How hot the desert getsHow high the land is above sea levelThe amount of sunlight receivedThe number of plants in the desert

What causes most hot deserts to have high temperatures?

Their location near the equator and direct sunlightBeing at high elevationFrequent rainfallCloudy weather all year

Which statement best describes cold deserts?

They are always found near the equatorThey have high precipitationThey are often at high latitudes or high elevationsThey are filled with sand dunes

In both hot and cold deserts, precipitation is usually less than how many centimeters per year?

25 centimeters100 centimeters60 centimeters200 centimeters

Why do deserts have large temperature swings between day and night?

Dry air does not hold heat wellThere are too many plantsIt rains frequentlyClouds trap heat at night

True or False: All deserts are hot and sandy.

TrueFalse

True or False: The Antarctic Desert receives less precipitation than most rainforests.

TrueFalse

Which of the following best explains why cold deserts often form behind mountain ranges?

Mountains block moist air, causing dry conditions on the other sideMountains make the area hotterMountains provide more precipitationMountains are always covered in snow

Hot and Cold Deserts

What's included

About this reader

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

Perfect for the way you teach

Reviews & Ratings

More reading you might love

Connect with Workybooks!