Common Core 6th Grade ELA Question of the Day
Test your knowledge with a hand-picked multiple-choice question.
People often use the word shooting star, but the streak you see is not a star at all. It begins as a small rock drifting in space, called a meteoroid. When a meteoroid enters Earth's atmosphere, it slams into air molecules and heats up. The glow we see is a meteor. Most meteors burn up quickly, leaving only a brief trail. If a piece survives the trip and lands on the ground, that leftover rock is called a meteorite. These three words describe stages of the same object, not three different kinds of space thing. Knowing the terms helps us understand news reports. For example, if scientists announce a meteor shower, they mean many bright streaks will be visible as tiny particles burn up high above us. No chunks are expected to reach the ground. But if a meteorite is found, researchers can study its minerals to learn about the early solar system. This passage clears up a common mix-up by defining each term and showing how they connect.
How does the author convey their purpose in writing this passage?