🚀 Reading Passage: Journey to Mars

Mars: The Red Planet

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun and is often called the "Red Planet" because of its reddish colour. This colour comes from iron oxide, or rust, on its surface. Mars is much smaller than Earth - about half the size - and is approximately 225 million kilometres away from our planet.

Scientists have been studying Mars for many years because they believe it might have once had water on its surface. Today, Mars is very cold, with temperatures that can drop to -80°C at the poles. The planet has two small moons called Phobos and Deimos, which are much smaller than Earth's moon.

In recent years, space agencies from around the world have sent robotic rovers to explore Mars. These rovers, like Curiosity and Perseverance, take photographs and collect samples to help scientists learn more about the planet. Some scientists believe that humans might visit Mars in the next 20-30 years!

Mars has the largest volcano in our solar system, called Olympus Mons. It's about 21 kilometres high - that's nearly three times taller than Mount Everest! The planet also has massive dust storms that can cover the entire planet and last for months.

📝 Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why is Mars called the "Red Planet"?

Because it's very hot

Because of iron oxide (rust) on its surface

Because it's covered in red rocks

Because of red clouds in its atmosphere

2. How far is Mars from Earth?

150 million kilometres

225 million kilometres

300 million kilometres

400 million kilometres

3. What are the names of Mars's two moons?

Luna and Titan

Europa and Io

Phobos and Deimos

Ganymede and Callisto

4. How high is Olympus Mons?

15 kilometres

21 kilometres

25 kilometres

30 kilometres

✏️ Part 2: Short Answer Questions

5. Name two rovers that have been sent to explore Mars.

6. What do scientists believe Mars might have had on its surface in the past?

7. How does the size of Mars compare to Earth?

8. What can happen to dust storms on Mars that makes them different from Earth's storms?

🌟 Part 3: Extended Response

9. Based on the passage, explain why scientists are so interested in studying Mars. Give at least three reasons from the text.

10. Do you think humans should try to visit Mars? Explain your answer using information from the passage and your own ideas.

🔍 Part 4: Vocabulary and Analysis

11. Match the space terms with their meanings:

1. Rover

2. Iron oxide

3. Solar system

4. Atmosphere

A. The layer of gases around a planet

B. A robotic vehicle that explores planets

C. Rust that gives Mars its red colour

D. The Sun and all the planets that orbit it

12. Fill in the blanks using words from the passage:

Mars has the _____________ volcano in our solar system, and its temperatures can drop to ______°C at the poles. Scientists hope that _____________ might visit Mars in the next 20-30 years.

13. Which facts about Mars do you find most interesting? Choose all that apply:

It has dust storms that can last for months

It might have had water in the past

It has the largest volcano in the solar system

It has two small moons

Robotic rovers are exploring it right now