What Is Gravity? | A2 ESL Science Reading Passage

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

Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward each other.

Reading Level

A2-B1

Word Count

197 words

Reading Passage

If you drop a pencil, it falls to the floor. If you throw a ball up, it comes back down. These things happen because of gravity.

Gravity is a kind of force. Earth has gravity, so it pulls objects toward its center. This is why people stand on the ground instead of floating away. It is also why rain falls from clouds and why a book stays on a desk.

All objects have gravity, but large objects have stronger gravity. Earth is very large, so its gravity is strong enough for us to feel. The Moon also has gravity, but it is weaker than Earth’s gravity.

Gravity also gives objects weight. A backpack feels heavy because Earth pulls on it. The same backpack would feel lighter on the Moon because the Moon has weaker gravity.

Gravity is important in space too. The Sun’s gravity helps keep planets moving around it. A planet can follow a path called an orbit. Earth’s gravity also helps keep the Moon in orbit around Earth.

Gravity pulls on every object. It helps keep air, oceans, people, and animals on Earth.

Gravity is invisible, but we can see what it does every day.

Gravity pulls objects down on Earth and helps objects orbit in space.

Key Vocabulary

Word	Meaning	Example
gravity	the force that pulls objects toward each other	Gravity pulls the ball to the ground.
force	a push or pull that can change how something moves	Gravity is a force.
weight	how heavy something is because gravity pulls on it	The backpack has weight on Earth.
object	a thing that can be seen or touched	A pencil is an object.
orbit	the path one object takes around another object in space	The Moon is in orbit around Earth.

Reading Comprehension Questions

1. What happens when you drop a pencil?
2. What is gravity?
3. Why do people stand on the ground instead of floating away?
4. What is an orbit?
5. Why is gravity important on Earth?

Answers

1. It falls to the floor.
2. Gravity is the force that pulls objects toward each other.
3. People stand on the ground because Earth’s gravity pulls them down.
4. An orbit is the path one object takes around another object in space.
5. Gravity helps keep air, oceans, people, and animals on Earth.

Short Summary

Gravity is a pulling force. Earth’s gravity pulls objects toward the ground and helps keep the Moon in orbit.

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