Electricity & Energy: Physical Science Reading Comprehension (PDF)

Electricity and Energy: Physical Science Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions (PDF)

This very engaging collection of physical science reading passages about electricity and energy is designed to bridge the gap between science and literacy through strengthening reading comprehension and sparking scientific curiosity in middle school students. Each passage blends English Language Arts skills with accurate science content that supports NGSS classroom practice. Ideal for interdisciplinary learning in ELA and Science. Suitable for Grade 9 review, too!

What Is Included?

There are (3) informational passages:

1. The Lightning Rod: Turning Fear into Safety: Franklin’s work showed lightning is electricity, not magic, and a lightning rod gives that charge a safe metal path into the ground instead of through a building.

2. Eel Power: A Holiday Surprise: Electric eels fire quick bursts of electricity, and in special displays, metal plates and wires capture those pulses to make nearby lights briefly flicker.

3. Electricity: From Source to Socket: Power plants use motion from fuels, falling water, wind, or sunlight to spin generators, then send that electrical energy through wires so a flip of a switch brings devices to life.

Student Tasks for Each Passage:

• 5 multiple-choice questions targeting main idea, key details, inference, vocabulary in context, and use of evidence

• 5 vocabulary matching items with clear, student-friendly definitions

• 5 text-based questions that require citing specific lines or facts

• 1 summary prompt that asks students to condense central ideas accurately

• Full answer key for every section

Available Formats for this Resource

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

FULL CATALOG OF DOWNLOADING LINKS HERE

Reading Passage Links:

Astronomy & Space Science

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Volcanoes, Rocks, & Mountains

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Rock Cycle, Soil, & Sinkholes

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Mars, Glaciers, & Antarctica

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Water Cycle, Acid Rain, & Wastewater

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Insects, Animals, & Ecosystems

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Bioluminescence & Insects

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Animal Skin, Cats, & T. Rex

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Human Body and Senses

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Health & Applied Bioscience

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Waves, Light, & Imaging

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Electricity & Energy

• PDF

• Word Docs

• Google Docs

Product Details

• Length: 14 pages total

• Grades: 6–8, also suitable for Grade 9 review

• Use cases: close reading, stations, homework, intervention, test prep, and sub plans

• Standards support: reinforces informational-text skills and supports NGSS-style sense making through observation, modeling, and clear use of claim, evidence, and reasoning

Why Teachers Choose This Set

• Authentic science content paired with rigorous literacy practice

• Consistent task structure across all passages for easier planning and smoother student routines

• Clear, age-appropriate writing that builds confidence without oversimplifying

Use this set to reinforce ELA skills in science, to add literacy to your lessons, or to support independent work. The passages strengthen main idea, evidence use, vocabulary in context, inference, cause and effect, and summary writing. With ready-to-use assessments and complete answer keys, you can provide focused practice that is simple to run and fast to review.