What Happens When Cars Collide — Reading Comprehension
Premium Resource
Grades
- 3
- 4
- 5
Standards
- NGSS 4-PS3-3
PRINT+DIGITAL RESOURCE
This learning resource is available in interactive and printable formats. The interactive worksheet can be played online and assigned to students. The Printable PDF version can be downloaded and printed for completion by hand.
About This Reader
This 250-word reading passage introduces fourth-grade students to the concept of energy transfer and transformation during car collisions, aligned with NGSS standard 4-PS3-3. Students learn that kinetic energy—the energy of motion—must go somewhere when cars crash. The passage explains how energy transfers to other cars, transforms into sound and heat, and is absorbed by crumpling metal. It emphasizes that faster-moving cars possess more kinetic energy, resulting in greater damage during high-speed crashes. The passage also introduces crumple zones, a safety feature designed to absorb energy gradually and reduce force on passengers. Written at a fourth-grade reading level, this educational resource uses age-appropriate language and relatable examples to build foundational understanding of energy concepts. The passage includes audio integration for diverse learners and is accompanied by comprehension questions, writing activities, and graphic organizers. Teachers can use this passage to prepare students for hands-on investigations about energy, force, and motion. The content focuses on factual, scientific explanations of energy transfer without graphic descriptions, making it appropriate for elementary classrooms while maintaining scientific accuracy and alignment with Next Generation Science Standards for physical science.
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
