Lexile: 960L
Word Count: 489 The Perfect Planet
Have you ever thought about why life exists on Earth? Scientists have
studied other planets throughout the universe, but haven’t found any that can
support life. Earth’s unique ability to support life is due to its rare combination of
features. These features include water, a livable climate, and a protective,
breathable atmosphere. Scientists might find life on other planets one day, but
they have yet to find any planet with features quite like Earth.
Without water, there would be almost no life on Earth. Luckily, our planet
can support a variety of living things because water is abundant, covering more
than 70% of Earth’s surface. Most living things, including humans, need water to
function. Humans can survive more than a month without food, but only a week
or so without water. Water is also important because almost all living things are
made up of it. For example, a human body is about 60% water, an animal’s body
is about 75% water, and a plant is about 90% water. Because living things are
made up of mostly water, life on Earth wouldn’t exist without it.
In addition to having water, Earth also has a climate that is perfectly suited
to support life. Earth’s climate is ideal to support life because Earth is just the right
distance from the Sun. It’s close enough to receive sunlight, but far enough that
we don’t burn up. If Earth were farther from the Sun, like Mars, people would
freeze to death from the cold. Temperatures on Mars can drop to -220 degrees
Fahrenheit. At that temperature, plants and animals would die, and people
would need to wear protective suits to keep from freezing. If Earth were closer to
the Sun, like Venus, it would be much too hot. The temperature on Venus is around
900 degrees Fahrenheit. In that extreme heat, all the water on Earth would dry up,
and no living things could survive.
Another reason there is life on Earth is
because of its atmosphere, which is the air that
surrounds Earth. The atmosphere is essential for two
reasons. It contains helpful gases, and it also
protects living things from the Sun’s harmful rays.
Earth’s atmosphere is rich in oxygen, which is a gas
that most living things need to breathe. It also
contains a tiny amount of carbon dioxide, a gas
that regulates the temperature. It keeps Earth from
getting too hot or too cold. The atmosphere also
protects us from the Sun’s harmful rays. The gases in
the atmosphere create a screen that’s over 6,000
miles thick. This screen blocks most of the poisonous
radiation from the Sun’s rays, but lets helpful heat
and light through.
Without water, a livable climate, and a
Impacts from large asteroids and comets
protective, breathable atmosphere, Earth would be could harm life on Earth. Luckily, Earth’s
a lifeless rock. Life can’t exist without this unique atmosphere protects against them.
combination of features. Scientists have studied According to NASA, an automobile-sized
and observed many planets. However, they asteroid hits the atmosphere about once
a year but burns up before reaching
haven’t found any that can support life quite like Earth’s surface.
Earth.
©Kristine Nannini [Link] 12
Name: ______________________
Complete these questions after your second read. Use evidence
from the text to support your answers.
1.) What does abundant mean as it’s used in the text? Which words or phrases from the
text help you understand the meaning? RI.4
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2.) What does ideal mean as it’s used in the text? Which words or phrases from the text
help you understand the meaning? RI.4
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3.) What does regulates mean as it’s used in the text? Which words or phrases from the text
help you understand the meaning? RI.4
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4.) What is the text structure of The Perfect Planet (compare and contrast, sequence,
problem and solution, cause and effect, or description)? Use evidence from the text to
support your answer. RI.5
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©Kristine Nannini [Link] 16
