What Makes Wind? | A2 ESL Science Reading Passage

Use this A2-B1 ESL science reading passage to learn what makes wind. It includes key vocabulary, reading comprehension questions, and answers for English learners.

Wind is moving air that can move leaves, clouds, and waves.

Reading Level

A2-B1

Word Count

238 words

Reading Passage

Wind is moving air. We cannot see air, but we can see what wind does. It moves leaves, waves, clouds, flags, and hair.

Wind begins with the sun. The sun warms Earth's surface, but it does not warm every place in the same way. Land can warm faster than water. A city can become warmer than a forest. A sunny field can become warmer than a shaded place.

When air gets warm, it becomes lighter and rises. Cooler air nearby moves in to take its place. This moving air is wind.

Air also moves because of air pressure. Some places have higher air pressure. Other places have lower air pressure. Air often moves from high pressure toward low pressure. This movement helps create wind.

Wind can be gentle or strong. A light breeze may cool your face. A strong wind can bend trees and push large waves. Very strong winds can be dangerous during storms.

Wind also helps weather change. It can move warm air, cold air, clouds, and moisture from one place to another. This is why a windy day may bring a change in temperature or rain.

People use wind in helpful ways too. Sailboats can move with wind. Wind turbines can use moving air to make electricity.

Wind may feel simple, but it comes from important changes in heat and air pressure. When air moves from one place to another, we feel it as wind.

Wind forms when the sun warms Earth unevenly and air begins to move.

Key Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Example
wind	moving air	The wind moved the leaves.
surface	the outside or top part of something	The sun warms Earth's surface.
air pressure	the push of air in one area	Air pressure can change before a storm.
breeze	a light wind	A cool breeze came through the window.
moisture	small amounts of water in the air or on something	Wind can move moisture in the air.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What is wind?
2. What warms Earth's surface?
3. What happens when air gets warm?
4. Why does air move from one place to another?
5. How can people use wind?

Answers

1. Wind is moving air.
2. The sun warms Earth's surface.
3. Warm air becomes lighter and rises.
4. Air moves because of temperature and air pressure differences.
5. People can use wind to move sailboats or make electricity with wind turbines.

Short Summary

Wind is moving air. It happens because the sun warms Earth unevenly and air moves between areas of different pressure.

More Easy Readings

• How Are Rainbows Made? | A2 ESL Science Reading Passage
• What Is the Water Cycle? | A2 ESL Science Reading Passage
• Why Do We Have Seasons? | A2 ESL Science Reading Passage
• What Makes Thunder? | A2 ESL Science Reading Passage