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Sea Level Rise and Climate Change

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

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Format: Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
Grades: 5678
Subjects: sciencereadingela
Standards: MS-ESS3-5
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 400-500 word informational science passage for grades 6-8 explores sea level rise and climate change, aligned with NGSS standard MS-ESS3-5. Students discover the two main causes of rising oceans: melting land ice from glaciers and ice sheets, and thermal expansion as warming water takes up more space. The passage connects these mechanisms to real-world consequences including coastal flooding, eroding shorelines, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies. Through clear explanations and specific examples, students understand how rising seas threaten low-lying cities and island nations. The passage includes audio integration for accessibility, age-appropriate scientific vocabulary with a comprehensive glossary, and engaging activities including multiple-choice questions, writing prompts, and graphic organizers. Students apply their understanding through cause-and-effect analysis and evidence-based reasoning about this critical Earth science topic affecting communities globally.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

Global map showing where average sea level in 2011 was above or below the long-term average (1993-2011) (NOAA) by Dan Pisut .Even though the oceans are all connected, sea level does not rise or fall uniformly over the planet. The map above shows where average sea level in 2011 was above or below the long-term average. Places where sea level rose up to 8 inches higher than the 1993-2011 average are dark blue, average levels are white, and places where sea level fell below average are brown./ Wikimedia Commons

Why are the oceans rising? Evidence shows that sea levels are climbing higher each year. Scientists explain that two main processes drive this change, and both connect to a warming planet. Understanding these causes helps us predict future impacts on coastal communities around the world.

The first cause involves melting land ice. Glaciers on mountains and massive ice sheets covering Greenland and Antarctica are losing ice. When this ice melts, it adds new water directly to the ocean. Scientists observe that ice melt has accelerated in recent decades. The more ice that melts from land, the more water flows into the sea.

The second cause may surprise many people. Water itself expands as it warms, a process called thermal expansion. As ocean temperatures rise, the same amount of water takes up more space. Even a small temperature increase across the vast ocean can raise sea levels significantly. Scientists estimate that thermal expansion accounts for about half of the sea level rise measured over the past century.

These two processes work together, slowly but steadily lifting ocean levels. Evidence shows the rate is speeding up. Since 1880, global sea levels have risen about eight to nine inches. More concerning, the rate of rise has doubled in recent decades compared to earlier periods.

The consequences fall hardest on coastal areas. Higher seas mean more frequent flooding during storms and high tides. Erosion wears away beaches and shorelines faster. Saltwater intrusion occurs when ocean water seeps into underground freshwater supplies, making drinking water salty and unusable. Low-lying cities face increased flood risk. Small island nations in the Pacific Ocean already experience regular flooding that threatens homes and infrastructure.

Sea level rise matters because hundreds of millions of people live in coastal zones. Rising waters can force communities to relocate, damage property, and disrupt ecosystems like coastal wetlands. Understanding the science behind sea level rise helps communities plan for the future and take action to reduce climate change impacts.

Interesting Fact: If all the ice in Greenland melted, global sea levels would rise about 20 feet, enough to submerge many major coastal cities worldwide.

What are the two main causes of sea level rise mentioned in the passage?

Melting land ice and thermal expansionOcean pollution and melting icebergsHurricanes and earthquakesRain and underwater volcanoes

According to the passage, approximately how much have global sea levels risen since 1880?

Two to three inchesEight to nine inchesTwenty feetOne hundred inches

What is thermal expansion?

When ice melts and adds water to the oceanWhen ocean temperatures drop rapidlyWhen water takes up more space as it warmsWhen saltwater mixes with freshwater

Based on the passage, what does 'saltwater intrusion' mean?

Ocean water seeping into underground freshwater suppliesFreshwater flowing into the oceanIce melting into the seaWaves crashing on beaches

Why does melting land ice cause sea levels to rise?

It makes the ocean colderIt adds new water directly to the oceanIt creates more stormsIt causes the ocean floor to sink

Which communities are most threatened by sea level rise according to the passage?

Mountain villagesDesert townsLow-lying coastal cities and island nationsInland farming communities

Scientists estimate that thermal expansion accounts for about half of sea level rise over the past century.

TrueFalse

The rate of sea level rise has slowed down in recent decades.

TrueFalse

What can we infer about the relationship between climate change and sea level rise?

They are unrelated processesClimate change causes warming that drives both melting ice and thermal expansionSea level rise causes climate changeOnly thermal expansion is related to climate change

If ocean temperatures continue to rise, what would likely happen to sea levels based on the passage?

Sea levels would decreaseSea levels would stay the sameSea levels would continue to rise due to thermal expansionSea levels would only change during winter