How Does a Washing Machine Work? | A2 ESL Science Reading Passage

Read how a front-loading washing machine cleans clothes, then practice five useful words and answer the questions.

A concept illustration of a front-loading washing machine. The inside is shown to help explain the reading.

Read the passage · Try the questions

Reading Level

A2-B1

Word Count

202 words

Reading Passage

A washing machine uses water, detergent, and movement to clean clothes. A front-loading machine has a door on the front. Through this door, you can see the clothes turn inside.

First, people put clothes into the drum. The drum is the round space inside the machine. Then they add detergent. Detergent helps remove dirt, sweat, and oil from cloth.

Next, water enters the machine. The drum moves the clothes through the water and detergent. This movement rubs the clothes gently against each other. Dirt can leave the cloth and mix with the water.

After washing, the machine drains the dirty water. Then it adds clean water to rinse the clothes. Rinsing helps wash away detergent and loose dirt.

At the end, the drum begins to spin very fast. As the drum turns, water passes through small holes in its sides and drains away. The clothes are still damp, but they hold less water. Spinning does not dry them completely.

Some washing machines have different settings. A gentle setting moves slowly. Other settings may use more time, warmer water, or faster spinning. The right setting depends on the fabric.

Different machines may move clothes in different ways. This passage describes a front-loading machine.

A concept diagram of washing, rinsing, and spinning. Water drains away during the cycle.

Key Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Example
washing machine	a machine that cleans clothes	The washing machine cleaned my shirt.
detergent	a cleaning product used for washing clothes	Add detergent before washing.
drum	the round inside part of a washing machine	Clothes move inside the drum.
rinse	to wash with clean water	The machine rinses the clothes.
spin	to turn around quickly	The drum spins very fast.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What does a washing machine clean?
2. What does detergent help remove?
3. What is the drum?
4. Why does the machine rinse clothes?
5. What does spinning do?

Answers

1. It cleans clothes.
2. It helps remove dirt, sweat, and oil.
3. It is the round inside part of the washing machine.
4. It washes away detergent and loose dirt.
5. It pushes much of the water out of the clothes.

Short Summary

A washing machine cleans clothes by moving them in water and detergent, rinsing them, and spinning out water.

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