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How Deep Is the Ocean

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

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Format: Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
Grades: 456
Subjects: scienceelareading
Standards: 5-ESS2-2
Languages: English, Spanish

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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 engaging Grade 5 science reading passage explores the concept of ocean depth, aligned with NGSS standard 5-ESS2-2. Students discover that the ocean averages about 12,100 feet deep, with the deepest point in the Mariana Trench reaching nearly 36,000 feet below the surface. The passage uses relatable comparisons, such as stacking buildings and mountains, to help students visualize these enormous depths. Students learn why the ocean holds such an enormous amount of water—because it is both wide and deep. The audio-integrated passage includes a simplified differentiated version for diverse learners, Spanish translations, vocabulary glossary, multiple-choice comprehension questions, writing activities, and graphic organizers. This resource builds foundational understanding of Earth's hydrosphere and prepares students for hands-on investigations about water distribution on our planet. Perfect for introducing ocean depth concepts before laboratory activities or class discussions about Earth's water systems.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

Map Marianas Trench Marine National Monument by NOAA / Wikimedia Commons

The ocean is the large body of salt water that covers most of Earth's surface. The ocean is not just wide—it is also incredibly deep. Understanding how deep the ocean is helps us realize just how much water it holds.

On average, the ocean is about 12,100 feet deep. To picture this, imagine stacking 40 tall buildings on top of each other! That's how far down the ocean floor—the bottom of the ocean—sits below the surface. Some parts of the ocean are shallow near the coasts, but other areas drop down much, much deeper.

The deepest spot in the entire ocean is called the Mariana Trench, which is a long, narrow valley on the ocean floor in the Pacific Ocean. The Mariana Trench reaches nearly 36,000 feet below the surface. This is deeper than Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth, is tall! If you could place Mount Everest inside the Mariana Trench, the mountain's peak would still be more than a mile underwater.

The ocean holds an enormous amount of water because it is both wide and deep. When we measure the volume of the ocean—the amount of space the water takes up—we find that it contains about 97% of all the water on Earth. This huge volume exists because the ocean spreads across such a large area and extends so far down below the surface.

Scientists use special tools to measure ocean depth. They send sound waves down to the ocean floor and measure how long it takes for the sound to bounce back. This helps them create maps of the ocean floor and discover underwater mountains, valleys, and trenches. Learning about ocean depth helps us understand Earth's water systems and the amazing creatures that live in the deep sea.

Interesting Fact: If you could drain all the water from the ocean, you would see underwater mountain ranges taller than any mountains on land, along with deep canyons and vast flat plains!

What is the average ocean depth?

About 12,100 feetAbout 36,000 feetAbout 5,000 feetAbout 20,000 feet

Where is the Mariana Trench located?

Atlantic OceanIndian OceanPacific OceanArctic Ocean

How much of Earth's water is ocean?

About 50%About 75%About 97%About 100%

Why does the ocean hold so much water?

It is only very wideIt is both wide and deepIt is only very deepIt has many rivers

How do scientists measure ocean depth?

By diving to the bottomBy using long ropesBy using sound wavesBy using satellites only

What would happen to Mount Everest underwater?

It would stick out completelyIt would reach the surfaceIts peak would still be underwaterIt would touch the bottom

The ocean floor is always shallow everywhere.

TrueFalse

What does volume mean in the passage?

How loud something isHow wide something isSpace something takes upHow heavy something is

How Deep Is the Ocean

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About this reader

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

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