Comprehension

Reading comprehension questions are tied to articles and graphs from Science News.

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We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Plants

    Mosses exposed and analyzed

    Students will answer questions about how scientists measure the age of newly thawed mosses in the Arctic, and the implications of those scientists' findings.

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  2. Physics

    Spotting a neutron star collision

    Students will answer questions related to the Science News article "Neutron star crash seen for the first time."

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  3. Tech

    That’s a wrap

    Students will answer questions about how a cubic metallic robot wraps itself in different exoskeletons to perform different functions.

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  4. Plants

    The molecular lives of plants

    These questions focus on articles about two of the 2017 SN 10: Scientists to Watch. The scientists are studying how plant roots seek water and developing artificial photosynthesis.

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  5. Health & Medicine

    Flu shot response foretold

    Students will answer questions about new research showing that the activity of a small number of genes can predict a young person's immune response to the flu vaccine.

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  6. Humans

    Probing the brain’s connections

    Students will answer questions based on the Science News article "Flex time," which explores how flexible brains might make for better learning.

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  7. Space

    Short but sound science

    Students will answer questions based on a series of brief news items, including describing how each demonstrates sound scientific inquiry.

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  8. Science & Society

    Trans fat ban as public health experiment

    Students will answer questions based on the Science News article "Data back ban of artificial trans fats," with a special focus on data collected and analyzed by researchers.

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  9. Life

    Reviewing bacterial defenses

    These questions focus on student understanding of gram-negative bacteria and the bacteria's response to antibiotics.

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  10. Chemistry

    Seeking next-gen batteries

    Based on the Science News article "Charging the future," these questions focus on battery design, how lithium-ion batteries compare with newer types and the nature of experimental design.

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  11. Climate

    Heating up

    These questions focus on observations about Earth's surface temperature over time and reasons behind the changing climate.

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  12. Chemistry

    Seeking new catalysts

    These questions focus on the use of catalysts in common industrial reactions and new research on alternatives to the precious metals currently used as catalysts.

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