Earth's atmosphere

11/9/2023 10:34:00 PM
Image: Koji Kitagawa / Getty Images

Do you know?

  • Earth’s atmosphere stretches from the surface of the planet up to as far as 10,000 kilometers above.
  • Different planets and moons have very different atmospheres, and some have no atmospheres at all.
  • Mercury and Mars have some of the right ingredients for living organisms, but their atmospheres are far too thin to support life.

Let's explore Earth's atmosphere.

Let's learn some new words before you read the passage:

Listen and complete the passage.

boundary experience extreme scattered
trapping rays absorbed  


Earth's atmosphere is an important layer of gases around our planet. It is mostly composed of nitrogen and oxygen, along with various other gases. One of its main roles is to control temperatures, preventing highs and lows. By warmth near the Earth's surface, it creates a comfortable environment for life to develop. It also protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. These are and by our atmosphere, so their negative effects cannot reach us.

This atmospheric layer extends approximately 300 miles in thickness but gradually fades as it extends away from Earth. Hence, there is no clear between the layer and space.

Oxygen is a special gas for human survival due to its role in breathing. Over time, some oxygen has transformed into something called the ozone layer which is a key part of our atmosphere's protection. However, human activities have created a hole in this layer and this leads to global alarms.

The atmosphere consists of five different layers. The first layer serves as the theater for all weather events. The atmosphere is constantly moving and changing, which causes the varied weather patterns we .

Read and answer the following questions.

Earth's Atmosphere

Image: gettyimages.com

Earth's atmosphere is an important layer of gases around our planet. It is mostly composed of nitrogen and oxygen, along with various other gases. One of its main roles is to control temperature, preventing extreme highs and lows. By trapping warmth near the Earth's surface, it creates a comfortable environment for life to develop. It also protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. These rays are absorbed and scattered by our atmosphere, so their negative effects cannot reach us.

This atmospheric layer extends approximately 300 miles in thickness but gradually fades as it extends away from Earth. Hence, there is no clear boundary between the layer and space.

Oxygen is a special gas for human survival due to its role in breathing. Over time, some oxygen has transformed into something called the ozone layer which is a key part of our atmosphere's protection. However, human activities have created a hole in this layer and this leads to global alarms.

The atmosphere consists of five different layers. The first layer serves as the theater for all weather events. The atmosphere is constantly moving and changing, which causes the varied weather patterns we experience.

What are the two primary gases that constitute the majority of Earth's atmosphere?

  • Nitrogen and Oxygen
  • Carbon Dioxide and Methane
  • Hydrogen and Helium
  • Oxygen and Hydrogen

How does Earth's atmosphere regulate temperature?

  • By preventing the loss of heat from the atmosphere
  • By reflecting all solar radiation back into space
  • By warning extreme weather events in the atmosphere
  • By generating wind near the Earth's surface

What can be inferred about the ozone layer according to the text?

  • The original ozone layer is composed of carbon dioxide.
  • The damaged ozone layer has an impact on the atmosphere.
  • The ozone layer extends approximately 300 miles in thickness.
  • The ozone layer is located in the uppermost layer of the atmosphere.

What is NOT true about the Earth's atmosphere according to the text?

  • Its nature is the reason for the weather patterns.
  • It is divided into five distinct layers.
  • It has an approximate thickness of 300 miles.
  • It has a distinct boundary separating it from space.

What is the purpose of the text?

  • To provide a recipe for creating a protective atmosphere
  • To discuss the impact of human activities on the ozone layer
  • To describe the Earth's atmosphere and its functions
  • To discuss the effects of ultraviolet rays from the sun

Build your vocabulary by learning these intensive phrases/idioms:

After the embarrassing incident, all she wanted to do was _____.

  • fade into the woodwork
  • draw the line
  • find a needle in a haystack
  • throw caution to the wind

Rearrange the words in a correct order to make a complete sentence (kéo từng từ/cụm từ về vị trí đúng để tạo thành câu hoàn chỉnh)

Choose the word(s) CLOSEST in meaning to the underlined word(s).

Our team is working on a surprise for the upcoming event, so watch this space.

  • take turns
  • keep in touch
  • stay tuned
  • make a go of it