Driving on the Moon: The Story of Apollo 15
On July 26, 1971, a giant Saturn V rocket roared into the morning sky above Florida. Inside the Apollo 15 spacecraft were three American astronauts: Commander David Scott, Command Module Pilot Alfred Worden, and Lunar Module Pilot James Irwin. While earlier missions like Apollo 11 had focused on proving that humans could safely land on the Moon, Apollo 15 had a different primary goal. This mission was designed for deep scientific exploration. To help the crew explore more area than ever before, NASA engineers had built a brand-new machine: the Lunar Roving Vehicle, or LRV.
- exploration:
- The act of traveling through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it.
- engineering:
- The branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures.
- terrain:
- The physical features or stretch of land.
- gravity:
- The natural force that pulls objects toward the center of a planet or moon.
- crust:
- The hard, outermost layer of a planet or moon.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What was the primary goal of the Apollo 15 mission compared to earlier missions like Apollo 11?
- 2How was the Lunar Roving Vehicle stored inside the spacecraft during the journey to the Moon?
Where this passage belongs
You Might Also Like
About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
“Driving on the Moon: The Story of Apollo 15” is a informational reading passage about Space Exploration, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (508 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.