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📖 Why Do Leaves Change Color?

2nd Grade reading comprehension · Science · Read the passage, then circle the best answer.

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In summer, most leaves are green. They are full of a green material called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll helps the tree make food from sunlight.

In fall, the days get shorter and colder. Trees stop making as much chlorophyll. As the green fades, other colors that were hiding in the leaf start to show: yellow and orange.

Some trees, like maples, also make new red and purple colors in the fall.

Soon the leaves drop to the ground, and the tree rests for the winter.

Words to know: chlorophyll: the green material in leaves that helps plants make food · fade: to slowly become less bright

  1. What does chlorophyll help a tree do?
    1. Grow taller in winter
    2. Make food from sunlight
    3. Drink water
  2. Why do leaves turn yellow and orange?
    1. Someone paints them.
    2. The green fades and other colors show.
    3. They get wet.
  3. Which tree can make red leaves?
    1. Pine
    2. Maple
    3. Palm
  4. Why did the author write this?
    1. To tell a funny story
    2. To sell trees
    3. To explain why leaves change
✂ Answer key: fold or cut along the line

1. B (detail)   2. B (detail)   3. B (detail)   4. C (author’s purpose)

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