How Latitude Affects Climate Zones — Reading Comprehension

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This Grade 6-8 science reading passage explains how latitude affects climate zones on Earth. Students will learn about key scientific concepts such as latitude, the equator, and solar energy, and understand why different regions have different climates. The passage defines important vocabulary terms and provides real-world examples, like why tropical rainforests grow near the equator and polar bears live in the Arctic. An 'Interesting Fact' section highlights a surprising science fact. The resource also includes an English-to-Spanish translation, a glossary, multiple-choice quiz questions, and writing activities to reinforce learning. All content is aligned with NGSS standards and integrates audio support for accessibility. This is ideal for classroom or independent study, helping students connect science concepts to global patterns and their everyday lives.

CONTENT PREVIEW

"AIRS Captures Polar Vortex" / NASA (Public domain).

Latitude is an important way to describe locations on Earth. Latitude is measured in degrees north or south of the equator, which is an imaginary line that circles the middle of our planet. The equator is at 0°, and the poles are at 90° north and south. Latitude has a big effect on the climate of a place.

Climate is the pattern of weather in a region over a long time. Some places are hot all year, while others are cold or have four seasons. The main reason for these differences is the amount of solar energy a place receives from the Sun, which depends on its latitude.

At the equator, sunlight hits the Earth directly. This makes the equator and the areas close to it, called the tropics, very warm all year long. Rainforests grow in these regions, such as in the Amazon of South America or the Congo in Africa, because there is plenty of heat and rainfall.

As you move farther from the equator toward the poles, sunlight hits the Earth at a slant. This means less solar energy reaches the ground, making these places much colder. The North Pole and South Pole are covered in ice and snow. Animals like polar bears and penguins live in these cold, icy polar zones.

Between the tropics and the polar zones are the temperate zones. These areas have four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. The United States, most of Europe, and parts of China are in the temperate zones. Here, the climate changes throughout the year, so people experience both hot and cold weather.

Latitude is not the only thing that affects climate. Elevation (how high a place is above sea level), ocean currents, and nearby mountains also play a part. However, latitude is the main reason why the climate is very hot near the equator and very cold near the poles.

Understanding how latitude affects climate helps scientists predict weather, grow crops in the right places, and prepare for climate changes in the future.

Interesting Fact: The highest recorded temperature on Earth was in a tropical desert near the Tropic of Cancer, where sunlight is very strong because of its latitude.

What is latitude measured from?

EquatorPolesMountainsOceans

Which region is warm all year?

TropicsPolesMountainsTemperate zones

What affects climate the most?

LatitudeRiversAnimalsBuildings

Why are the poles cold?

Sunlight hits at a slantLots of rainfallClose to equatorHigh elevation

What type of climate do temperate zones have?

Four seasonsAlways hotAlways coldDry all year

What can ocean currents affect?

ClimateLatitudeMountainsSeasons