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How Agriculture Affects Earth — Reading Comprehension

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This 400-word informational reading passage introduces fifth-grade students to the environmental impacts of agriculture, aligned with NGSS standard 5-ESS3-1. Students learn how essential farming practices—clearing land, applying fertilizers and pesticides, and irrigating crops—affect Earth's soil, water, and air. The passage explains erosion, nutrient runoff, water pollution, and habitat loss in age-appropriate language. Through real-world examples, students discover why agriculture is necessary for feeding people but can cause environmental problems when not managed carefully. Audio-integrated passages support diverse learners. Activities include comprehension quizzes, writing prompts asking students to explain cause-and-effect relationships, and graphic organizers that help students analyze the advantages and disadvantages of farming practices. The glossary defines key vocabulary terms like agriculture, erosion, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and runoff. This comprehensive resource builds foundational understanding of human impacts on Earth systems, preparing students for hands-on investigations and class discussions about sustainable farming practices.

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Tractor spraying fields with pesticides on a countryside farm in summer with a forest backdrop. — Tractor spraying fields with pesticides on a countryside farm by Mark Stebnicki / Pexels.

Agriculture is the practice of growing crops and raising animals for food. Farmers use agriculture to produce the fruits, vegetables, grains, and meat that feed billions of people around the world. Without agriculture, we would not have enough food to survive. However, the way we farm can affect Earth's soil, water, and air in important ways.

When farmers prepare land for crops, they often clear forests or grasslands. This process removes plants whose roots hold soil in place. Without these roots, wind and rain can easily wash away the topsoil. Erosion is the process of soil being worn away and carried to new locations. When erosion happens, the land loses the nutrient-rich soil that plants need to grow. Think of erosion like sweeping a floor—once the good soil is swept away, it's hard to grow healthy crops.

Farmers use fertilizers, which are substances that add nutrients to soil to help plants grow bigger and faster. They also use pesticides, which are chemicals that kill insects and weeds that damage crops. While these products help farmers grow more food, they can cause problems. Rain can wash fertilizers and pesticides into streams and rivers. This is called runoff. When too many nutrients from fertilizers enter water, they cause algae to grow rapidly. The algae use up oxygen in the water, making it hard for fish and other animals to survive.

Many farms use irrigation, which means bringing water to crops through pipes, sprinklers, or ditches. Irrigation helps plants grow in dry areas, but it can use huge amounts of water. In some places, farmers pump so much water from underground sources or rivers that these water supplies shrink. This affects other people, plants, and animals that need water too.

Agriculture also changes habitats. When forests or prairies are cleared for farmland, animals lose their homes and food sources. Some species must move to new areas or face declining populations.

Farmers and scientists are working on better ways to grow food while protecting the environment. They use methods like planting trees along streams, rotating different crops, and using less fertilizer and pesticides. These practices help keep soil healthy, water clean, and habitats safe for wildlife.

Interesting Fact: One inch of topsoil can take 500 years to form naturally, but erosion can wash it away in just a few years of poor farming practices!

What is agriculture?

Growing crops and raising animals for foodBuilding houses in the countrysideStudying plants in a laboratoryProtecting forests from being cut down

What happens during erosion?

Plants grow faster with more waterSoil is worn away by wind or waterFertilizers make crops grow biggerAnimals find new places to live

What are fertilizers used for?

Killing insects that damage cropsBringing water to dry areasAdding nutrients to help plants growPreventing soil from washing away

Why can runoff harm fish?

It makes water too coldAlgae use up oxygen fish needIt carries fish to different riversIt makes water flow too fast

How does clearing land affect animals?

It gives them more space to roamIt provides new sources of foodThey lose their homes and food sourcesIt helps them find cleaner water

What problem can irrigation cause?

It makes soil wash away fasterIt uses huge amounts of waterIt kills helpful insects on farmsIt causes too much algae growth

Agriculture is necessary to feed people worldwide.

TrueFalse

What does the word 'pesticides' mean?

Water brought to crops through pipesChemicals that kill harmful insects and weedsNutrients added to soil for plantsThe process of soil washing away

Perfect For:

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• Reading comprehension practice
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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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