Name
________________________
Skill: Reading Comprehension
Read the story and answer the questions.
Light Bulbs
Inside of a light bulb, there is a tiny coil of wire called a filament. The filament is held
between two large wires. This is the part of the bulb that glows with light. The metal in the filament
is specially made to conduct electricity with some resistance. This resistance is similar to friction.
As electrons travel through the filament, their ability to flow is lessened by the resistance caused
by this special type of wire. When a light switch is turned on, electricity is sent to the light bulb and
the filament inside both conducts and restricts the flow of electrons. This resistance produces heat.
The filament gets so hot that it glows. The glass of the light bulb is there for protecting things that
are near the filament. This protection is needed because the temperature of the filament can reach
up to 4,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
1. What is the main idea of this story? (Circle the answer)
A. Wires have the ability to glow.
B. Don’t ever touch a filament.
C. How a light bulb lights up.
2. What is the tiny coil of wire inside the bulb called?
(Circle the answer)
A. a filament
B. a friction coil
C. a resistance meter
3. Why is there a glass shield around the filament?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
4. What happens to make a light bulb light up when you turn on a light switch ?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
5. Would you ever want to touch a glowing filament? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
6th Grade Basic Skills: Reading Comprehension and Skills
7
© Teacher's Friend, a Scholastic Company
Page 7
You would not want to touch it because it can be
up to 4,500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Electrons travel through the filament and are met
with resistance. The resistance makes the filament
hot enough to make it glow.
The filament gets very hot, so the glass is there to
protect things that are around the filament.