Ink Reading Comprehension Passage - Cored Ed Encyclopedia

This ink reading comprehension contains the following:

Pre-Reading Trivia

Students will write down one thing they already know about the subject and then read five more facts and discuss. These facts are fun, and the students will enjoy learning about the subject before reading more.

Reading Passage

The text is a high-interest reading passage with set paragraphs, roughly three to four paragraphs long. It contains a variety of themes about the topic, anywhere from history to technology. The passage is between 250 and 350 words in length.

Mixed Questions

The first question page contains four multiple-choice questions, each with a choice of four answers, and three written response questions that require a sentence or two from the student.

Vocabulary Questions

Practice seven key words from the text in this section across two activities. First section is scrambled words where students will unscramble three words given a clue for each. The second section is a word to meaning matching activity.

Creative Writing

In this question, the student will be required to write a five to eight sentence paragraph on a question related to the topic.

Extension Activities

This page is optional for fast finishers or to take home. There are several activities, each one requiring a different skill. Do some, do none, do all, completely optional - but you will feel reassured knowing every possibility is planned for.

Answer Key

There are answers for the multiple-choice questions, written response questions have sample answers, vocabulary answers and if there is a summary question then a sample summary will be provided as well.

FULL CATALOG OF DOWNLOAD LINKS AND ENCYCLOPEDIA INDEX HERE

Lesson Snapshot

• Title: Ink

• Genre: Nonfiction (informational text with headings)

• Subject: Reading (Informational Text) / Science & Technology

• Primary Topic: What ink is, what it’s made of, and its history

• Estimated Guided Reading Level (A–Z): P

What This Lesson Teaches Best

• Defines ink and explains its main uses: writing, drawing, and printing.

• Teaches how ink gets color by introducing colorant (dye or pigment) and comparing dye vs. pigment in kid-friendly language.

• Explains that inks need a “carrier” (also called a vehicle) to help ink flow from a pen or under a printing press.

• Describes how different inks are made for different purposes (watery for fountain pens, thicker for ballpoint pens, thicker printing inks for machines like letterpress and lithography).

• Builds historical knowledge by giving examples of early inks and where/when they were used (Ancient Egypt on papyrus; China evidence around 256 BCE; medieval Europe iron gall ink).

Learning Goals

• Identify what ink is and list at least two things it is used for.

• Explain how ink gets its color by describing what a colorant is.

• Describe one difference between dye and pigment using details from the text.

• Describe why some inks are thicker than others based on how they are used.

• Explain one way ink can dry on paper, according to the passage.

• Summarize one historical example of ink use (place and time) from “Ink Through Time.”

Key Vocabulary From the Text

• colorant — something that adds color, like dye or pigment.

• dye — color that dissolves in liquid.

• pigment — tiny colored specks that float in liquid.

• carrier — liquid that helps ink flow.

• evaporate — liquid changes and leaves, with color left behind.

Cored Ed Encyclopedia Overview

The Cored Ed Encyclopedia is a weekly series of lessons that you can pick up and use right away. These short readings fit into whatever time you have available. Each one includes a warm-up, a reading, and a set of questions, but it’s flexible — you can do just the reading, the full lesson, or skip the writing section if you need to. Each lesson focuses on a single topic so students don’t get lost. The writing is clear but never childish, making it perfect for grades two through five. Topics range from animals and science to history, inventions, and everyday things. No matter the level of the student, everyone should take away at least one new idea or fact from each lesson. The materials are easy to print, easy to explain, and require no setup. They work well for whole-class teaching, partner work, or independent study.