Saturn

8/31/2022 9:45:15 AM
Image: globalperspectives.info

Do you know?

  • Saturn is known for its beautiful rings. It is surrounded by a system of rings that stretch out into space for thousands of kilometers.
  • The planet is named after Saturn. He was the Roman god of farming.

Let's explore more about Saturn!

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

Listen and complete the passage.

reveal rings dense
intricate moons unmanned


Saturn is the sixth planet from our sun. This amazing planet is best known for its rings. We may think that these rings are small in number, but when seen through a telescope, there are hundreds of them. The of Saturn are made up of very tiny pieces of matter. There are so many objects floating that from a distance, they look like solid rings. The rings are also very thin. The rings are made up of rocky ice particles and dust. Saturn also has many .

Galileo was the first person to look at Saturn through a telescope. The year was 1610. He was amazed at what he could see, but he didn’t understand it. The telescopes today are much better and can the details of the rings and moons.

Another interesting fact about Saturn is that it could float. That seems surprising because Saturn is the second-largest planet. Even though it is big, it doesn’t weigh very much. It is less than water. Saturn rotates very quickly, which means that a day on Saturn is only about 10 hours long. Saturn is made up mostly of hydrogen and helium. There have been many trips to get a closer look at Saturn. Four spacecraft have taken pictures and visited Saturn. These were the Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and Cassini.

Read and answer the following questions.

Saturn

Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun. Image: universetoday.com

Saturn is the sixth planet from our sun. This amazing planet is best known for its rings. We may think that these rings are small in number, but when seen through a telescope, there are hundreds of them. The rings of Saturn are made up of very tiny pieces of matter. There are so many objects floating that from a distance, they look like solid rings. The rings are also very thin. The rings are made up of rocky ice particles and dust. Saturn also has many moons.

Galileo was the first person to look at Saturn through a telescope. The year was 1610. He was amazed at what he could see, but he didn’t understand it. The telescopes today are much better and can reveal the intricate details of the rings and moons.

Another interesting fact about Saturn is that it could float. That seems surprising because Saturn is the second-largest planet. Even though it is big, it doesn’t weigh very much. It is less dense than water. Saturn rotates very quickly, which means that a day on Saturn is only about 10 hours long. Saturn is made up mostly of hydrogen and helium. There have been many unmanned trips to get a closer look at Saturn. Four spacecraft have taken pictures and visited Saturn. These were the Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and Cassini.

Source: Daily Warm-ups Reading Grade 5

Where is the composition of Saturn's rings mentioned?

  • in the first paragraph
  • in the second paragraph
  • in the third paragraph

Which of the following is NOT true about Saturn?

  • This planet has been photographed by four spacecraft so far.
  • There are two planets larger than Saturn in the solar system.
  • Saturn is predominantly composed of hydrogen and helium.

What can be inferred from the passage?

  • It takes less time for Saturn to rotate than Earth.
  • Saturn has the most rings and moons in the solar system.
  • Pioneer 11 took more pictures of Saturn than Voyager 2.

What do you know from the second paragraph?

  • Galileo's discoveries about Saturn amaze worldwide scientists.
  • It was not until 1610 that a telescope was used to observe Saturn.
  • The telescopes today are more expensive than those in the past.

The author writes this passage to _____.

  • surprise readers with unknown facts about Saturn
  • describe the revolution of Saturn around the Sun
  • provide readers with the characteristics of Saturn

Build your vocabulary by learning these intensive phrases/idioms

Choose the underlined part that needs correction.

I have no idea what the professor said during today's lecture because I was from another planet the whole time.

  • no idea
  • today's lecture
  • from another planet
  • whole time

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

A: "Do you ever eat pork?" 

B: "Only once in a blue moon. I prefer beef."

  • once in a while
  • all at once
  • now and again
  • time after time

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one, using the word in a bracket. You must use between THREE and FIVE words, including the word given. Do not change the word given.

Thousands of small businesses end in failure every year. (DUST)

=> Thousands of small businesses every year.

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one, using the word in a bracket. You must use between THREE and FIVE words, including the word given. Do not change the word given.

Most couples feel extremely happy on their wedding day. (AIR)

=> Most couples feel they are on their wedding day.