Introducing KNOVA — A free reading app with curriculum-aligned passages on History & Science for Grades 3-8Learn More →

How Different Animals Get Energy from Food — Reading Comprehension

No ratings yet

Premium Resource

Grades

Standards

5-LS1-1
5-PS3-1

Rate this resource

Send Feedback / Report an Issue

About This Reader

This 400-word reading passage for Grade 5 students explores the three main types of consumers in ecosystems: herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Aligned with NGSS standards 5-LS1-1 and 5-PS3-1, the passage helps students understand how animals are classified based on what they eat and how energy flows through food chains. Students learn that herbivores eat only plants, carnivores eat other animals, and omnivores eat both plants and animals. The passage emphasizes the important concept that regardless of what a consumer eats, all food energy originally comes from the sun through producers like plants. Real-world examples include rabbits as herbivores, lions as carnivores, and bears as omnivores. The passage includes audio integration for accessibility, bold key vocabulary terms with immediate definitions, and age-appropriate explanations suitable for fifth-grade reading levels. Supplementary activities include comprehension questions, writing prompts, and graphic organizers that reinforce understanding of consumer types and energy flow in ecosystems. This foundational knowledge prepares students for hands-on investigations and deeper exploration of ecological relationships.

CONTENT PREVIEW

A close-up shot of a giraffe with a long neck eating foliage in a zoo setting. — Image credit Adrian vieriu / Pexels.

All animals need food to survive, but different animals eat different things. Scientists classify animals into groups based on what they eat. Animals that eat other living things are called consumers because they consume, or eat, their food. Understanding the types of consumers helps scientists learn how energy moves through an ecosystem.

The first type of consumer is a herbivore. Herbivores are animals that eat only plants. A rabbit munching on grass and clover is a herbivore. So are deer that eat leaves and twigs, and caterpillars that chew on plant leaves. Herbivores have special teeth and digestive systems that help them break down tough plant material. They get all their energy directly from plants.

The second type of consumer is a carnivore. Carnivores are animals that eat other animals. A lion hunting zebras on the African savanna is a carnivore. Hawks that catch mice, spiders that trap insects in webs, and sharks that eat fish are all carnivores. These animals have sharp teeth or claws to help them catch and eat their prey. Carnivores get their energy from eating other animals.

The third type of consumer is an omnivore. Omnivores are animals that eat both plants and animals. Bears are excellent examples of omnivores because they eat berries, nuts, fish, and sometimes other animals. Humans are omnivores too—we eat vegetables, fruits, meat, and dairy products. Omnivores are flexible eaters that can survive in many different environments because they have more food choices.

Here's an important connection: no matter what type of consumer an animal is, the energy in its food originally came from the sun. Producers, like plants and algae, use sunlight to make their own food through a process called photosynthesis. Herbivores eat the producers and get that sun energy. When carnivores eat herbivores, they get the energy that was passed along. Even omnivores depend on this energy chain. Think of it like a relay race where energy passes from runner to runner—except the starting point is always the sun, and the first runner is always a plant.

Interesting Fact: The largest land herbivore is the African elephant, which can eat up to 300 pounds of plants in a single day! That's like eating 1,200 apples every day just to get enough energy.

What do herbivores eat?

Only plantsOnly other animalsBoth plants and animalsNothing at all

Which animal is a carnivore?

A rabbit eating grassA lion hunting zebrasA bear eating berriesA deer eating leaves

What do omnivores eat?

Only plantsOnly animalsBoth plants and animalsOnly insects

Why can omnivores survive in many environments?

They run very fastThey have more food choicesThey sleep all winterThey live in groups

Where does all food energy come from?

From the oceanFrom the moonFrom the sunFrom the soil

How do producers make their own food?

By eating other plantsBy using sunlightBy drinking waterBy eating animals

All consumers get their energy from the sun.

TrueFalse

What does the word 'consume' mean?

To run awayTo eat or use upTo sleepTo grow

Perfect For:

👩‍🏫 Teachers

• Reading comprehension practice
• Auto-graded assessments
• Literacy skill development

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents

• Reading practice at home
• Comprehension improvement
• Educational reading time

🏠 Homeschoolers

• Reading curriculum support
• Independent reading practice
• Progress monitoring

Reading Features:

📖

Reading Passage

Engaging fiction or nonfiction text

❓

Comprehension Quiz

Auto-graded questions

📊

Instant Feedback

Immediate results and scoring

📄

Printable Version

Download for offline reading

🔊

Read Aloud

Voice-over with word highlighting

Reviews & Ratings

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!

Why Plants Need Water

This comprehensive 400-word reading passage explores why plants need water, aligned with NGSS standard 5-LS1-1. Students...

5-LS1-1

Tracing Energy Back to the Sun

This engaging 400-word reading passage helps fifth-grade students understand how energy flows from the sun through livin...

5-LS1-15-PS3-1

How Food Helps Animals Move

This 5th grade science reading passage explores how food helps animals move, directly aligned to NGSS standards 5-LS1-1 ...

5-LS1-15-PS3-1

How Food Helps Animals Heal and Repair

This 400-word informational reading passage teaches fifth-grade students how animals use energy from food to heal and re...

5-LS1-15-PS3-1

How Food Keeps Animals Warm

This comprehensive 400-word reading passage introduces fifth-grade students to the fascinating connection between food e...

5-LS1-15-PS3-1

Why Some Animals Need More Energy

This 400-word reading passage is designed for Grade 5 students and aligns with NGSS standards 5-LS1-1 and 5-PS3-1. Stude...

5-LS1-15-PS3-1

How Animals Get Energy from Food

This comprehensive Grade 5 science reading passage explores why animals need energy and how they obtain it through food ...

5-LS1-15-PS3-1

Connect with Workybooks!

7950 Silverton Av #208, San Diego CA 92126

WORKSHEETS

READINGKNOVATEACHER TOOLS

RESOURCESCURATED UNITS

FEATURESBLOGCOMPANY

How Different Animals Get Energy from Food — Reading Comprehension

About This Reader

CONTENT PREVIEW

Perfect For:

Reading Features:

Reviews & Ratings

Related Content

Connect with Workybooks!