Weathering and Erosion Reading Comprehension Passage and Questions
A free, print-and-go weathering and erosion reading for grades 2–5: one accurate nonfiction passage, twelve mixed questions, a full answer key and a short teacher guide. No student logins, no accounts, no setup.
Download the free printable on Teachers Pay Teachers
What this resource teaches
What weathering, erosion and deposition are, physical and chemical weathering, landslides, deltas and dunes, how soil forms, and how people protect soil.
What is included
- Student pages (3 pages): a six-paragraph passage, a Science Words box and 12 questions, black-and-white friendly.
- Answer key (1 page): answers, skill labels, the supporting paragraph for each answer and 18 total points.
- Teacher guide (2 pages): learning goals, how to use it and a map from the passage to the free online adventure.
Key science words
weathering, physical weathering, chemical weathering, erosion, landslide, deposition, delta, soil
How to use it in your classroom
- Preview the bold science words and ask students what they already know about weathering and erosion.
- Read the passage aloud, partner-read it, or assign it for independent reading.
- Students answer the 12 questions using evidence from the text.
- Check with the answer key and send students back to the supporting paragraph for any missed question.
It works well for science centers, morning work, homework, early finishers, sub plans or review before the online adventure.
Play the free Weathering & Erosion adventure
Ready to turn this reading into exploration? Students can play the free online adventure that goes with this passage, with no login required.
Play the free Weathering & Erosion Excavation Adventure
The adventure follows Crumbling through Redstone Canyon and covers:
- Breaking, Moving & Settling
- Physical Weathering
- Erosion by Water, Wind & Ice
- Living Things, Chemical Weathering & Soil
- Gravity & Rapid Landscape Change
- Deposition & Protecting Soil
Turn this lesson into a hands-on science adventure
Want your class to dig for real? Ask about a Free Dig Kit for your classroom. Excavating Adventures will work to help fund real hands-on dig experiences for classrooms through our Free Dig Kit campaign. Kits are optional, are provided after full funding and school confirmation, and funding is not guaranteed.
More free resources
- Free Weathering and Erosion vocabulary worksheets
- Weathering & Erosion online adventure
- Earth Science hub: all free science adventures and resources
Looking for a physical experience? Our paid Adventure Kits are available in the shop, but everything on this page is free.