Use this A2-B1 ESL science reading passage to learn how a compass works. It includes key vocabulary, reading comprehension questions, and answers for English learners.
Reading Level
A2-B1
Word Count
208 words
Reading Passage
A compass is a tool that helps people find direction. It can show north, south, east, and west. People use compasses with maps, on hikes, on ships, and in airplanes.
The most important part of a simple compass is its needle. The needle can turn freely. One end of the needle usually points north. This makes the compass useful when people need to know where they are going.
A compass needle points north because it is a small magnet. Earth also acts like a giant magnet. It has a magnetic field around it. The compass needle lines up with this magnetic field.
The north end of the needle is pulled toward Earth’s magnetic north. This place is near the North Pole, but it is not exactly the same place. Still, it is close enough for many simple uses.
To use a compass, a person holds it flat and lets the needle stop moving. Then the person turns the compass or map until the directions match. This helps the person choose the right path.
Compasses are old tools, but they are still useful today. Phones and GPS can stop working when batteries run out. A compass does not need a battery. It uses Earth’s magnetic field to help people find their way.
Key Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| compass | a tool that shows direction | A compass can help hikers find north. |
| direction | the way to a place or position | North and south are directions. |
| needle | a thin pointer that can move | The needle turns inside the compass. |
| magnet | an object that can pull some metals or point in a magnetic field | A compass needle is a small magnet. |
| magnetic field | the invisible area of magnetic force | Earth has a magnetic field around it. |
Reading Comprehension Questions
- What does a compass help people find?
- What is the most important part of a simple compass?
- Why does a compass needle point north?
- What should a person do before reading a compass?
- Why can a compass be useful when a phone stops working?
Answers
- A compass helps people find direction.
- The most important part is the needle.
- It points north because it is a small magnet that lines up with Earth’s magnetic field.
- A person should hold it flat and let the needle stop moving.
- A compass can be useful because it does not need a battery.
Short Summary
A compass works because its magnetized needle lines up with Earth’s magnetic field and points toward north.
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