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Why Do Leaves Change in Autumn?

4th grade reading

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Why Do Leaves Change in Autumn?

In many parts of the world, autumn turns forests into blazes of yellow, orange and red. But where do these bright shades come from? The answer is hidden inside every leaf. During spring and summer, leaves are busy making food for the tree. To do this, they use sunlight, water and air. A green substance called chlorophyll captures the energy from sunlight. There is so much chlorophyll in a leaf that it hides all the other shades. As autumn arrives, the days grow shorter and there is less sunlight. Trees such as maples and oaks begin to get ready for winter. They stop making chlorophyll. As the green fades away, the yellows and oranges that were in the leaf all along begin to show. Some trees, such as certain maples, also make a brand-new red substance in autumn. This is why some leaves turn bright red or purple. Finally, the tree seals off each leaf where it joins the branch. The leaf dries out and falls. Without leaves, the tree uses less water during the cold winter months. In spring, new green leaves will grow, and the cycle will begin again.

1
Question 1
Read "Why Do Leaves Change in Autumn?". What is chlorophyll?
- A. a green substance that captures energy from sunlight
- B. a kind of tree
- C. the place where a leaf joins a branch
- D. a red substance made in autumn
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Question 2
Read "Why Do Leaves Change in Autumn?". Why can't we see yellow and orange in leaves during summer?
- A. The green chlorophyll hides them.
- B. They are not made until autumn.
- C. The sun bleaches them.
- D. Rain washes them away.
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Question 3
Read "Why Do Leaves Change in Autumn?". Which text structure is mainly used in paragraph 3?
- A. compare and contrast
- B. a personal story
- C. problem and solution
- D. cause and effect
4
Question 4
Read "Why Do Leaves Change in Autumn?". Why do some leaves turn red?
- A. The leaves get sunburnt.
- B. Some trees make a new red substance in autumn.
- C. Chlorophyll turns red when cold.
- D. Insects paint them.
5
Question 5
Read "Why Do Leaves Change in Autumn?". How does losing leaves help a tree in winter?
- A. It uses less water.
- B. It makes more food.
- C. It grows faster.
- D. It stays warmer.
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Question 6
Read "Why Do Leaves Change in Autumn?". What is the author's main purpose?
- A. to tell a story about a forest
- B. to explain why leaves change in autumn
- C. to persuade people to plant trees
- D. to describe a painting

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Answer key: Why Do Leaves Change in Autumn?

1. A. a green substance that captures energy from sunlight
- The words around an unfamiliar word help show its meaning.
- Paragraph 2 explains chlorophyll is green and captures energy from sunlight.
- So the answer is: a green substance that captures energy from sunlight
2. A. The green chlorophyll hides them.
- The answer is stated directly in the text.
- There is so much chlorophyll that it hides the other shades.
- So the answer is: The green chlorophyll hides them.
3. D. cause and effect
- Text structure is how a writer organises ideas.
- Shorter days CAUSE trees to stop making chlorophyll, which CAUSES other shades to show.
- So the answer is: cause and effect
4. B. Some trees make a new red substance in autumn.
- The answer is stated directly in the text.
- Paragraph 4 says some trees make a brand-new red substance.
- So the answer is: Some trees make a new red substance in autumn.
5. A. It uses less water.
- An inference combines clues in the text with what you know.
- Paragraph 5: 'Without leaves, the tree uses less water'.
- So the answer is: It uses less water.
6. B. to explain why leaves change in autumn
- The writer's choices show their purpose.
- The text answers its opening question with scientific explanation.
- So the answer is: to explain why leaves change in autumn