đź“° Reading Passages & Comprehension

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April 10, 2026

Coral Super-Growers: New Lab-Bred Reefs Showing Success

Scientists in Australia have reached a major milestone in marine biology. They have successfully planted lab-grown coral that is specially bred to survive warmer ocean temperatures. For years, the Great Barrier Reef has faced challenges due to climate change, which causes coral bleaching. These new “super corals” are designed to be much more resilient.

This week, researchers reported that nearly 85% of the coral planted last year is thriving and spreading. This breakthrough gives scientists hope that we can restore damaged underwater ecosystems and protect the thousands of fish species that call the reef home.

Comprehension Questions

  1. According to the passage, what is the main purpose of breeding “super corals”?
    A. To make the ocean water warmer for fish
    B. To create more colorful tourist attractions
    C. To survive rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change
    D. To replace all natural coral in the Great Barrier Reef
  2. What is the specific effect of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef mentioned in the text?
    A. Overfishing by local scientists
    B. Coral bleaching
    C. A decrease in the number of lab-bred species
    D. Flooding of nearby Australian cities
  3. Based on the report, how successful was the planting of the lab-grown coral?
    A. Nearly 15% of the coral has been lost.
    B. Only half of the coral survived the first month.
    C. Scientists are still waiting to see the results.
    D. Nearly 85% of the coral is thriving and spreading.
  4. Why are scientists hopeful about this milestone?
    A. It means they no longer have to study marine biology.
    B. It could help restore damaged ecosystems and protect fish species.
    C. It allows them to move the Great Barrier Reef to a new location.
    D. It proves that climate change is no longer a threat.
  5. Where was this scientific breakthrough achieved?
    A. Central America
    B. The Moon
    C. Australia
    D. Mars

April 12, 2026

First Space-Grown Salad Harvested on the Moon

Today marks a historic achievement for the Artemis IV mission. Astronauts living at the Lunar Gateway base have officially harvested their first crop of space-grown radishes and kale. Growing food in space is difficult because there is no natural soil or liquid water. Instead, the crew used a high-tech hydroponic system that recycles every drop of moisture.

This experiment is a huge step toward long-term space travel. If humans can grow their own food on the Moon, it makes it much easier to plan future missions to Mars, as they won’t have to carry as much weight on their rockets.

Comprehension Questions

  1. Which mission is credited with harvesting the first crop of radishes and kale on the Moon?
    A. Lunar Gateway I
    B. Artemis IV
    C. Mars One
    D. LiDAR Expedition
  2. What are the two main challenges of growing food in space mentioned in the passage?
    A. Extreme heat and heavy winds
    B. Lack of sunlight and high gravity
    C. No natural soil and no liquid water
    D. Not enough astronauts to tend the garden
  3. How does the hydroponic system used on the Lunar Gateway base manage water?
    A. It collects water from the Moon’s surface.
    B. It recycles every drop of moisture.
    C. It relies on monthly water shipments from Earth.
    D. It uses liquid water found in Moon caves.
  4. Why is the ability to grow food in space important for future travel to Mars?
    A. Astronauts prefer the taste of space-grown kale.
    B. It will make the rockets fly faster.
    C. It reduces the amount of weight rockets have to carry from Earth.
    D. Mars has the same soil as the Lunar Gateway base.
  5. What crops were specifically mentioned as being harvested?
    A. Carrots and spinach
    B. Radishes and kale
    C. Lettuce and tomatoes
    D. Corn and beans

April 12, 2026

Lost Maya City Discovered Using Laser Technology

Archeologists have uncovered a massive, hidden city deep within the rainforests of Central America. Surprisingly, they found it without ever stepping foot in the jungle. The team used a technology called LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging.

By flying a plane over the forest and firing millions of laser pulses at the ground, they created a digital map that “sees” through the thick trees. The map revealed over 3,000 ancient structures, including pyramids, houses, and irrigation canals. This discovery suggests that the Maya civilization was much larger and more advanced than historians previously believed.

Comprehension Questions

  1. What technology allowed archeologists to find the hidden city without entering the jungle?
    A. Hydroponics
    B. LiDAR
    C. Underwater sonar
    D. Satellite photography
  2. How does the LiDAR technology create a map of the ground?
    A. By taking high-resolution color photos from a plane
    B. By using heat sensors to find ancient fires
    C. By firing millions of laser pulses through the thick trees
    D. By digging small holes throughout the rainforest
  3. About how many ancient structures were revealed by the digital map?
    A. 85
    B. 300
    C. 3,000
    D. 2026
  4. Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a structure found in the hidden city?
    A. Pyramids
    B. Irrigation canals
    C. Houses
    D. Modern laboratories
  5. What does this discovery change about our understanding of the Maya civilization?
    A. It suggests they were much smaller than previously thought.
    B. It proves they moved to Australia for the Great Barrier Reef.
    C. It shows they were more advanced and numerous than historians believed.
    D. It suggests they lived in the pyramids to avoid the rainforest.

âś… Answer Key

Passage 1

  1. C
  2. B
  3. D
  4. B
  5. C

Passage 2

  1. B
  2. C
  3. B
  4. C
  5. B

Passage 3

  1. B
  2. C
  3. C
  4. D
  5. C

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