Why Are Trees Important? | A2 ESL Science Reading Passage

Use this A2-B1 ESL science reading passage to learn why trees are important. It includes key vocabulary, reading comprehension questions, and answers for English learners.

Trees give clean air, shade, shelter, and food to many living things.

Reading Level

A2-B1

Word Count

282 words

Reading Passage

Trees are important living things on Earth. They give people and animals food, shade, shelter, and clean air. A world without trees would be hotter, drier, and less healthy.

One important job of trees is making oxygen. Trees take in carbon dioxide from the air. Then they use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make food for themselves. During this process, they release oxygen into the air.

Trees also help keep the land healthy. Their roots hold soil in place. This can prevent erosion when rain falls or wind blows. Without roots, good soil can disappear more easily.

Many animals depend on trees. Birds build nests in branches. Insects live on leaves and bark. Small animals hide inside tree holes. A forest can be a large home for many different living things.

Trees also help people. They make parks and streets cooler by giving shade. They can make neighborhoods quieter and more beautiful. People also use wood from trees to make houses, paper, furniture, and many other things.

However, cutting down too many trees can hurt nature. This is called deforestation. When forests disappear, animals lose homes and the air can become less clean. Protecting trees and planting new ones helps the environment stay healthy.

Trees help air, soil, animals, people, and the environment.

Key Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Example
oxygen	a gas that people and animals need to breathe	Trees release oxygen into the air.
carbon dioxide	a gas that people and animals breathe out	Trees take in carbon dioxide.
erosion	the process of soil being washed or blown away	Tree roots can help prevent erosion.
deforestation	the cutting down of too many trees	Deforestation can harm animal homes.
environment	the natural world around us	Trees help protect the environment.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What gas do trees release into the air?
2. How do tree roots help the soil?
3. Why do many animals need trees?
4. What is deforestation?
5. How can people help trees?

Answers

1. Trees release oxygen into the air.
2. Tree roots hold soil in place and help prevent erosion.
3. Many animals need trees for food, shelter, and homes.
4. Deforestation is the cutting down of too many trees.
5. People can protect forests and plant new trees.

Short Summary

Trees clean the air, protect soil, give animals homes, and help people. Protecting trees helps keep the environment healthy.

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