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Reading Worksheet

Simple Science

A2 Zero Conditional: Scientific Facts Science 20 minutes
Before You Read

Discuss these questions with a partner before you read.

  • What science do you remember from school? Tell your partner one fact.
  • At what temperature does water boil? Do you know?
  • Have you ever seen a rainbow? Where were you?
  • What happens to your body when you run fast?
Key Vocabulary
Word Definition Example
boil (v.) to reach 100°C and turn to steam When you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
freeze (v.) to become ice If water gets cold enough, it freezes.
gravity (n.) the force that pulls objects down towards the earth If you drop something, gravity pulls it down.
shiver (v.) to shake because you are cold When your body gets very cold, you shiver.
bend (v.) to change direction; to curve If light passes through water, it bends.
float (v.) to stay in the air or on water without support When gravity is very weak, objects float.
Reading Text
Magazine Article ~210 words

Simple Science

Science is full of facts that are always true. When you understand these facts, the world makes more sense. Let's look at some simple science.

Water is one of the most common things on Earth. When you heat water to 100°C, it boils and becomes steam. If water gets colder than 0°C, it freezes and becomes ice. These facts are always true — they do not change.

Light travels in straight lines, but it does not always stay straight. When light passes through water or glass, it sometimes bends. If it bends at the right angle, we see different colours — that is how a rainbow works. If you look at a rainbow, you always see red at the top and violet at the bottom.

Plants need two things to live: water and light. If a plant does not get sunlight, it dies. When plants get enough water and light, they grow. This rule is always true — for every plant on Earth.

Gravity is the force that pulls objects down. If you drop something, it falls. When gravity is very weak, objects float — like astronauts in space.

The human body also follows scientific rules. If you do not sleep enough, you feel tired. When your body gets cold, you shiver. If you exercise, your heart beats faster. These are facts — they happen every time.

Notice the Grammar

Look at these sentences from the text: 'When you heat water to 100°C, it boils.' / 'If a plant does not get sunlight, it dies.' What verb tense is in each part of the sentence? Why do you think we use present simple in both parts?

1 Reading for Gist

Answer these questions in a few words.

  1. What is the article mainly about?
  2. How many topics does the article cover?
  3. Who is this article written for?
2 Reading for Detail

Write short answers based on the text.

  1. At what temperature does water boil?
  2. What colour is always at the top of a rainbow?
  3. What two things do plants need to live?
  4. Why do astronauts float in space?  a) Because there is no air in space. b) Because gravity is very weak in space. c) Because they are very light. 
  5. What happens to your heart when you exercise?
3 True, False, or Not Given

Write T (True), F (False), or NG (Not Given).

  1. Water freezes at 0°C.
  2. Violet is always at the top of a rainbow.
  3. Plants can survive for three days without sunlight.
  4. You shiver when your body gets cold.
  5. Astronauts need special suits to float.
4 Vocabulary in Context

Answer these questions about words from the article.

  1. What does 'boil' mean in the article?  a) To become solid. b) To reach 100°C and turn to steam. c) To become cold. 
  2. The text says light 'bends' when it passes through water. What does 'bends' mean here?
  3. Find a word in paragraph 4 that means 'the force that pulls objects to the ground'. 
  4. What does 'float' mean here? Write your own definition.
5 Grammar in Context

Complete these activities about the zero conditional.

  1. Find four zero conditional sentences in the text. Write them below.
    a)  b)  c)  d) 
  2. Are the facts in these sentences true once, sometimes, or always?
  3. Which sentence is a zero conditional?  a) If the water gets cold, it will freeze. b) If water gets cold enough, it freezes. c) If water froze, it would be solid. 
  4. Rewrite these ideas as zero conditional sentences. (a) Heat water to 100°C → it boils. Write: When ___. (b) Plant has no light → it dies. Write: If ___. (c) You exercise → heart beats faster. Write: If ___.
  5. Write three zero conditional sentences about science or your body. Use 'if' or 'when' to start.
Personal Response — Discuss with a partner

Discuss with a partner. Share one idea with the class.

  1. Which science fact in the article do you find most interesting? Why?
  2. Are there any science facts that surprise you or that you didn't know?
  3. Can you think of one more science fact that is always true? Tell your partner.

Answer Key

Simple Science — A2 — Zero Conditional: Scientific Facts

Exercise 1 — Reading for Gist

  1. Scientific facts that are always true.
  2. Five: water, light, plants, gravity, and the human body.
  3. General readers / people learning about science.

Exercise 2 — Reading for Detail

  1. 100°C.
  2. Red.
  3. Water and light.
  4. b)
  5. It beats faster.

Exercise 3 — True, False, or Not Given

  1. T — The text says 'If water gets colder than 0°C, it freezes.'
  2. F — The text says red is at the top and violet is at the bottom.
  3. NG — The text says plants die without sunlight but gives no specific time.
  4. T — The text states 'When your body gets cold, you shiver.'
  5. NG — The text mentions floating but does not discuss suits.

Exercise 4 — Vocabulary in Context

  1. b)
  2. It changes direction / curves.
  3. gravity
  4. To stay in the air or water without falling or sinking, with no support.

Exercise 5 — Grammar in Context

  1. Any four if/when + present simple, present simple sentences, e.g. 'When you heat water to 100°C, it boils.' / 'If water gets colder than 0°C, it freezes.' / 'If a plant does not get sunlight, it dies.' / 'If you exercise, your heart beats faster.'
  2. Always — the zero conditional describes general truths and facts that are always true.
  3. b)
  4. (a) When you heat water to 100°C, it boils. (b) If a plant has no light, it dies. (c) If you exercise, your heart beats faster.
  5. Answers will vary. Any if/when + present simple, present simple sentences expressing general or scientific truths.

Notice the Grammar — suggested answers

Accept any five correct examples from the article that use the target grammar. Students should be able to explain why the grammar is used in each case.

Personal Response

Answers will vary. This section is for spoken discussion or short written response. There are no single correct answers.