The Freezing Point of Water — Reading Comprehension

Grades

Standards

MS-PS1-1
RI.6.3
RI.7.1

About This Reader

This science reading passage, titled 'The Freezing Point of Water', introduces students to a key physical science concept: the freezing point of water. It explains that water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius and describes the physical change that occurs as water turns from a liquid to a solid. The passage also connects this concept to real-life examples like freezing water in a freezer and icy roads in winter. It supports student learning aligned to science standards such as MS-PS1-4 (develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance) and reading informational text standards such as RI.6.1 (cite textual evidence to support analysis). Keywords like 'freezing point', '0 degrees Celsius', 'states of matter', and 'middle school science' make this resource ideal for both classroom use and SEO discoverability. With a Flesch Reading Ease score around 70, the passage is accessible for middle-grade readers and includes 8 comprehension questions that assess main idea, vocabulary, and scientific understanding. This resource is valuable for integrating science and literacy instruction while building background knowledge in physical science.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Water is one of the most important substances on Earth. We drink it, cook with it, and use it every day. One interesting thing about water is how it changes with temperature. When water becomes very cold, it turns into ice. The temperature at which this happens is called the freezing point.

The freezing point of water is 0 degrees Celsius. This means that when water cools down to 0°C, it begins to freeze. At this point, the water turns from a liquid into a solid. The water molecules slow down as they lose heat, and they begin to form a solid shape—ice.

You may have seen this happen when you put a bottle of water in the freezer. After a few hours, the water becomes hard and frozen. This is because the freezer keeps the temperature below 0°C.

The freezing point of water is the same as the melting point. If you heat ice to 0°C, it will start to melt back into water. The same temperature causes both freezing and melting. It just depends on whether the water is gaining or losing heat.

Knowing the freezing point of water is helpful in many ways. For example, it helps weather forecasters predict when roads might become icy. It also helps people who live in cold areas prepare their homes and cars for winter.

In summary, the freezing point of water is 0 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, water changes from a liquid to a solid. Understanding this point helps us in science, weather, and daily life.

Fun Fact: At 0°C (32°F), water can freeze without turning into ice—this is called supercooling. Under the right conditions, water can stay liquid below its freezing point until it's disturbed—then it freezes instantly!

What is the main idea of the passage?

Ice is useful for weather forecasting.Water freezes faster in a freezer.The freezing point of water and its importance.Cold weather can damage water bottles.

At what temperature does water freeze?

100 degrees Celsius0 degrees Celsius-10 degrees Celsius32 degrees Celsius

What happens to water molecules when water freezes?

They move faster and spread out.They change into gas.They slow down and form a solid.They disappear.

What is the meaning of the word substance as used in the first sentence?

A kind of metalA type of material or matterA dangerous chemicalA type of air

Why do people need to know the freezing point of water?

To know how long to heat waterTo freeze food fasterTo prepare for cold weather and icy roadsTo make water boil quicker

What does the word freezing mean in the passage?

Heating something until it bubblesMaking something very cold until it turns solidBreaking something into piecesMixing water with other substances

Which of the following happens at 0°C?

Water boilsIce turns into steamIce melts or water freezesWater becomes a gas