Deep Glow Comprehension Worksheet
Grade 5 Reading Comprehension Target Goal: 80% (8 out of 10 points)
Attempt: [ ] 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4
Deep Glow: Nature's Living Lanterns
Science Reading Passage • Paragraphs [¶1] through [¶4]
Name:
Date: Period:
Directions: Read the text below. Look for clues to help you understand new words. 5th Grade Level
[¶1] The midnight zone is deep down in the ocean where sunlight cannot reach. The water is freezing cold, and the pressure is very heavy. Even in this dark place, many amazing animals survive. They do this by making their own glowing light. This ability is called bioluminescence (living light). Deep-sea animals use their lights to find food, send signals, and escape from danger.
[¶2] How do these creatures glow? The light comes from a chemical reaction inside the animal's body. A special light-making substance called luciferin mixes together with oxygen. When they combine, they make bright light without any heat. A regular lamp bulb gets hot, but bioluminescence wastes no heat at all. Because of this, scientists call it "cold light."
[¶3] Deep-sea animals shine their light through special glowing body spots called photophores. Some fish make their own light. Other fish, like the anglerfish, get help from glowing bacteria. This teamwork is called a symbiotic partnership. The anglerfish gives the bacteria a safe home in its head lure. In return, the glowing bacteria attract curious prey right into the fish's mouth!
[¶4] Glowing also helps animals hide. Hungry predators swim below and look upward to spot dark fish shadows. To stay safe, the hatchetfish uses a trick called counterillumination. Photophores on its belly shine light downward that matches the exact brightness of the water above. This makes the hatchetfish blend in so enemies below cannot see it.
Part 1: Vocabulary Detective (4 Points • 1 pt each)
Fill in the bubble for the best answer.
1. In [¶1], what is bioluminescence?
○ A. Sunlight passing through ice
○ B. Light made by a living creature
○ C. Lightning under the ocean
○ D. Heat from an underwater volcano
2. In [¶2], what is luciferin?
○ A. A substance that makes light with oxygen
○ B. A poison used to sting enemies
○ C. A type of food sea plants eat
○ D. A kind of salt in seawater
3. In [¶3], what are photophores?
○ A. Special body spots that shine light
○ B. Sharp teeth for biting prey
○ C. Fins that help fish swim faster
○ D. Scales that keep fish warm
4. In [¶4], how does counterillumination work?
○ A. It blinds enemies with bright flashes
○ B. It shines belly light to blend in from below
○ C. It turns skin into rock colors
○ D. It shoots dark ink clouds to escape
Page 1 of 2 • Turn the page over to complete Main Idea, Details & Scoring Tracker
Deep Glow Comprehension
Main Idea, Supporting Details & Text Evidence
Student Name:
Part 2: Main Idea (2 Points • 1 pt each)
Score: ___ / 2
5. What is this passage mostly about?
○ A. The midnight zone is freezing cold and dark.
○ B. Deep-sea animals make and use light to help them survive in the dark.
○ C. Anglerfish have sharp teeth to catch food.
○ D. Hatchetfish have glowing bellies.
6. Which paragraph tells how the chemical glow is made? Paragraph:
Name the substance that mixes with oxygen to create the light:
Answer:
Part 3: Supporting Details (2 Points • 1 pt each)
Score: ___ / 2
7. Which detail from [¶2] proves why bioluminescence is called "cold light"?
○ A. The chemical reaction makes light without producing heat.
○ B. It only works in freezing ocean water.
○ C. Animals hold pieces of ice in their photophores.
○ D. Ocean currents chill the light as it comes out.
8. In [¶3], how do the anglerfish and bacteria help each other?
○ A. The fish cleans ocean water while bacteria fight off sharks.
○ B. The bacteria get a safe home, and the fish gets a glowing lure to catch food.
○ C. The fish breathes air made by the bacteria.
○ D. The bacteria swim ahead to steer the fish in the dark.
Part 4: Text Evidence Response (2 Points)
Score: ___ / 2
Directions: Complete the sentences below using details from the reading passage to explain two ways ocean creatures use light to survive.
1. One way deep-sea animals use light is to .
For example, the text says:
2. Another way deep-sea animals use light is to .
For example, the text says:
Grading Rubric: [ ] 1 pt: Gives two correct uses (hunting, signaling, hiding) [ ] 1 pt: Cites two real examples from the passage
IEP Reading Goal Mastery Tracker
Goal: ≥80% (8 out of 10 points) in 3 of 4 attempts
Part 1: Vocab
___ / 4 pts
Part 2: Main Idea
___ / 2 pts
Part 3: Details
___ / 2 pts
Part 4: Evidence
___ / 2 pts
Total Score: ____ / 10 (____%)
Mastery Met (≥80%)? [ ] YES [ ] NOT YET
Evaluator:
