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How Many Greenhouse Gases Are There — Reading Comprehension

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This audio-integrated passage, "How Many Greenhouse Gases Are There?", is a core resource for middle school science students, directly addressing NGSS standard MS-ESS3-5. The passage clarifies the factors that have contributed to the rise in global temperatures over the last century by focusing on different types of greenhouse gas and their origins. It defines key terms and highlights the most significant gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, linking their increase to human activities like the burning of fossil fuels. The content is designed to help students ask questions and evaluate evidence related to climate change. This reading is an essential tool for understanding the science behind rising global temperatures and the role of greenhouse gases in the greenhouse effect

CONTENT PREVIEW

The Earth’s atmosphere has a natural blanket of gases that trap heat from the sun. This process is called the greenhouse effect, and it keeps our planet warm enough for living things to survive. A greenhouse gas is any gas in the atmosphere that absorbs and traps this heat. While there are many types of these gases, some are more common and have a bigger impact on global temperatures.

The most common and important greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2). It's released when we burn fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity, heat, and transportation. Methane (CH4) is another powerful greenhouse gasthat comes from natural sources like wetlands and human activities like farming and landfills. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is mainly released from agricultural activities, like the use of fertilizers.

Other greenhouse gases include water vapor (H2O), which is the most abundant, and a group of human-made gases called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). While water vapor is a natural part of our climate, the other gases have been increasing in our atmosphere, especially over the last century. This rise in these gases is the main factor causing the rise in global temperatures.

Scientists use evidence like ice cores and weather station data to clarify the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures. When greenhouse gases increase, they trap more heat, which makes the planet warmer. This is why it's so important to understand the different types of greenhouse gases and where they come from, as human activities have caused a significant increase in their concentration, affecting our climate.

Fun Fact: While carbon dioxide is the most well-known greenhouse gas, methane is about 25 times more effective at trapping heat over a 100-year period.

What is the most common greenhouse gas mentioned in the passage?

MethaneNitrous oxideCarbon dioxideWater vapor

What is the name of the process that keeps the Earth warm?

Greenhouse effectGlobal warmingHeat trappingClimate change

What is a key human activity that releases carbon dioxide?

FarmingUsing fertilizersBurning fossil fuelsLandfills

What effect does an increase in greenhouse gases have on the planet?

It makes the planet coolerIt makes the planet warmerIt decreases the atmosphereIt increases water vapor

How do scientists find evidence about past temperatures?

Using weather balloonsStudying ice coresMeasuring sea levelsTalking to older people

A country decides to switch from coal-fired power plants to solar energy. Which greenhouse gas would this most likely reduce?

MethaneNitrous oxideWater vaporCarbon dioxide