What is Light? | Physics Reading Comprehension 2 Passage & Questions

Starting from:

Understanding what light is links everyday phenomena to core physics and chemistry, from colors and shadows to lenses, fiber optics, photosynthesis, and solar panels, making it ideal for NGSS MS-PS4 and HS-PS4 learning goals. A two level set of reading passages with questions lets all learners master key ideas at the right depth, with an advanced passage helps student prepare to learn about wave and particle models, the electromagnetic spectrum, reflection, refraction, and simple ray diagrams, and an accessible passage supporting learning on brightness, color, and mirrors in clear language with real examples. Each passage includes a glossary, labeled diagrams, and scaffolded questions that move from recall to analysis and evidence use, with short data tables students can interpret. This differentiated format streamlines planning, strengthens science literacy, and helps classes connect abstract concepts to practical technologies like cameras and LEDs, while building a foundation for future units in optics, astronomy, and energy.

This tiered approach - offering two sets of guiding reading and questions tailored to each text - builds foundational skills in reading, critical thinking, and scientific inquiry, so you can use the right one for you. Through such structured resources, students develop a deeper appreciation for the processes that create and preserve this incredible natural phenomenon, and gain the scientific literacy necessary to make informed decisions.

This 2 article set of What is Light? reading passages with questions provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about What is Light? For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this What is Light? article with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking.

The accessible version is geared towards approximately 5th / 6th / 7th grade science students, while the more advanced version is geared towards approximately 8th / 9th / 10th grade science students. This range for both could be extended with prep work or additional materials.

THIS WHAT IS LIGHT? ARTICLE CAN BE USED SO MANY WAYS:

Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
To extend students
To increase scientific literacy in your class
A weekly reading task
Great as a lesson filler when class goes too fast
To inspire students on a particular topic
Give a selection of these articles for students to choose from

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS WHAT IS LIGHT? READING PASSAGE WITH QUESTIONS:

2 - 3 page Word doc image - textboxes teacher version with answers
2 - 2 page Word doc image - textboxes student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
2 - 3 page PDF teacher version with answers
2 - 2 page PDF student version without answers (but space left to do so)
2 - 3 page Google doc image - textboxes teacher version with answers
2 - 2 page Google doc image - textboxes student version with room to fill answers (text boxes)

Please note: That the Doc versions are images with editable text boxes overlayed on top and this is the most effective way to keep the article sleek and well-designed and also that students cannot change things significantly.

WANT MORE AMAZING ARTICLES LIKE THIS WHAT IS LIGHT ARTICLE? MANY ARE AVAILABLE!

I am very proud of this series of science articles and they are rich with information and wonder at the majesty of science. Each science article includes a fun fact(s) to add to the knowledge gained from this article. Formatted in an easy to read and digest manner, each paragraph is numbered to help with referencing and each question answer has a paragraph reference number to point to the specific information (where applicable).