Nonfiction Text: Exploring Space

Space is a vast universe filled with wonders that humans

have tried to understand for centuries. Our solar system is
only one small part of the Milky Way galaxy, and the galaxy
itself is only a tiny part of the entire universe. At night, we can
observe a constellation, or a group of stars that form a
pattern in the sky.
To learn more about space, scientists build machines like a
space probe or a spacecraft. A space probe is an
unmanned vehicle that travels into space to collect information
about a planet, an asteroid, or even a ring around a planet
like Saturn. A spacecraft, however, may carry an astronaut
on board. When a spacecraft is ready to fly, it must launch
with powerful rockets. Once in orbit, astronauts may visit a
space station, where they can live for months. Inside the
station, they must wear a seatbelt while exercising, because
without gravity, their bodies would simply float.
Life in space is not always easy. The atmosphere outside
Earth protects us from radiation and poison gases, but in
space, astronauts rely on technology to stay safe. They eat
carefully prepared food and sometimes feel disappointed
because they cannot eat fresh fruit or walk on Earth’s surface.
Still, they carry out important scientific experiments in zero
gravity, such as how plants grow without soil or how the human
body changes in space.
Satellites are another important tool in space
exploration. A satellite can send signals that make GPS work,
helping us find directions on Earth. Scientists also translate
data from satellites to better understand weather patterns and
climate change.
Exploring space helps us learn about our world, our
galaxy, and beyond. Every discovery brings us closer to
understanding where we live in the universe and whether
humans may one day land on another planet.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the Milky Way?
a) A planet
b) A galaxy
c) A constellation
d) A spacecraft
2. What is the difference between a space probe and a spacecraft?
a) A space probe carries astronauts, but a spacecraft does not.
b) A spacecraft is unmanned, but a space probe always has astronauts.
c) A space probe is unmanned, while a spacecraft may carry astronauts.
d) Both are the same.
3. Why do astronauts need seatbelts on a space station?
a) To protect them during launch
b) To stop them from floating in zero gravity
c) To keep them safe from poison gases
d) To prepare for landing on the planet surface
4. What protects Earth from radiation and poison gases?
a) Orbit
b) Atmosphere
c) Satellite
d) Space station
5. Which of the following is an example of a constellation?
a) Saturn
b) Orion
c) GPS
d) Milky Way
6. What is one challenge astronauts face in space?
a) Too much gravity
b) No seatbelts on board
c) Lack of fresh food
d) Strong atmosphere
7. Which tool helps people find directions on Earth?
a) Constellation
b) GPS
c) Asteroid
d) Scientific experiment
8. What does a satellite do?
a) It provides gravity.
b) It makes fresh food in space.
c) It sends signals and data to Earth.
d) It carries astronauts to orbit.
 9. What is one reason scientists send probes to space?
a) To live in a space station
b) To collect information about planets and asteroids
c) To translate signals from GPS
d) To keep astronauts safe from poison
10.What is the main idea of the passage?
a) Astronauts eat carefully prepared food in space.
b) Space exploration helps us understand the universe.
c) Satellites are the most important space technology.
d) Life on Earth is easier than life in space.

Open-Ended Questions
1. What is the main idea of the passage?
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2. Explain one difficulty astronauts face while living on a space station.

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3. How do satellites and GPS help people on Earth?

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 Matching Vocabulary with Meanings (10 words)
Instruction: Match each word with the correct meaning. Write the letter of the
meaning next to the word.

Meanings
Words

1. Planet a. The force that pulls objects toward Earth

or another body
2. Spacecraft
b. A vehicle designed to travel in space

3. Astronaut
c. A person trained to travel in space

4. Launch d. To send a spacecraft or rocket into space

5. Satellite e. An object that goes around a planet and

sends signals to Earth

6. Gravity
f. The path an object takes as it goes around
7. Orbit
another object

8. Galaxy g. A huge system of stars, dust, and gas

held together by gravity

9. Solar
h. The sun and all the planets that move
system
around it

10. Space i. The area beyond Earth’s atmosphere

j. A large round object that moves around a

star, such as Earth or Mars

Multiple Choice Answer Key
1. b) A galaxy
2. c) A space probe is unmanned, while a spacecraft may carry
astronauts.
3. b) To stop them from floating in zero gravity
4. b) Atmosphere
5. b) Orion
6. c) Lack of fresh food
7. b) GPS
8. c) It sends signals and data to Earth.
9. b) To collect information about planets and asteroids
10.b) Space exploration helps us understand the universe.

Open-Ended Sample Answers

1. What is the main idea of the passage?
→ The passage explains how humans explore space using technology like
spacecraft, satellites, and probes, and what challenges astronauts face.
2. Explain one difficulty astronauts face while living on a space
station.
→ They cannot eat fresh food, must wear seatbelts to avoid floating, and
live without Earth’s atmosphere.
3. How do satellites and GPS help people on Earth?
→ Satellites send signals that make GPS work, allowing people to find
directions and study weather or climate.

Matching words with meanings-Answer Key

1. Planet → j. A large round object that moves around a star, such as Earth or
Mars
2. Spacecraft → b. A vehicle designed to travel in space
3. Astronaut → c. A person trained to travel in space
4. Launch → d. To send a spacecraft or rocket into space
5. Satellite → e. An object that goes around a planet and sends signals to
Earth
6. Gravity → a. The force that pulls objects toward Earth or another body
7. Orbit → f. The path an object takes as it goes around another object
8. Galaxy → g. A huge system of stars, dust, and gas held together by gravity
9. Solar system → h. The sun and all the planets that move around it
10.Space → i. The area beyond Earth’s atmosphere