What Keeps You Grounded

Lexile: 810 | Grade: 4

Passage

Gravity is the force that pulls everything toward the center of the Earth. It’s what keeps your feet on the ground, holds oceans in place, and helps planets spin around the sun. Without gravity, everything would float away, lost in space.

But gravity isn’t loud. You can’t see it or hear it. You only notice it by what it holds together. Even when we jump, gravity pulls us back—not to stop us, but to remind us where we belong.

People have their own kind of gravity too. It’s not made of science or mass, but of values—things like honesty, kindness, curiosity, and courage. These quiet forces help us stay balanced when things feel uncertain. They help us return to what matters, even when we feel pulled in many directions.

When you feel unsure or left out, your gravity is what helps you stay true to yourself. It reminds you that who you are—and what you stand for—matters, even if no one else sees it yet.

So the next time you feel like you’re floating or falling, remember: just like gravity keeps the Earth together, your values can keep *you* grounded. You don’t always have to be loud to be strong. Sometimes, the strongest pull is the one inside you.

Questions

Q1: What is gravity, according to the passage?

  • A. A sound that keeps people awake at night
  • B. A force that helps objects float
  • C. A force that pulls things toward the Earth’s center
  • D. A type of weather found on mountains

Q2: How does the author compare gravity to human qualities?

  • A. By saying people are heavy like planets
  • B. By showing that values like kindness and honesty help us stay grounded emotionally
  • C. By suggesting people float through space every day
  • D. By explaining how gravity affects our eyesight

Q3: What does the author mean by 'you don’t always have to be loud to be strong'?

  • A. You should always whisper
  • B. Loud people are usually wrong
  • C. Inner strength and values can be quiet but powerful
  • D. Gravity only works if you shout

Q4: According to the passage, how does gravity help us understand feelings of being unsure or lost?

  • A. It reminds us that we should always be serious
  • B. It gives us permission to stay confused
  • C. It shows that having values helps us feel grounded even during difficult times
  • D. It makes us forget our problems

Q5: What is the main idea of the passage?

  • A. Gravity can be turned off during the night
  • B. People float through space in their minds
  • C. Just like gravity keeps us grounded physically, our values keep us grounded emotionally
  • D. You should study science instead of emotions

Printable Comprehension Practice

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Answers & Reasoning

Q1: What is gravity, according to the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage defines gravity as a pulling force that keeps everything grounded and connected to Earth.

Q2: How does the author compare gravity to human qualities?

✅ Correct Answer: B

💡 Reasoning: The author uses gravity as a metaphor for inner values that keep us steady during challenges.

Q3: What does the author mean by 'you don’t always have to be loud to be strong'?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: This line reinforces the idea that quiet, steady inner values can be just as powerful as loud actions.

Q4: According to the passage, how does gravity help us understand feelings of being unsure or lost?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The metaphor suggests that when we feel uncertain, our personal values can help us stay steady, just like gravity holds things in place.

Q5: What is the main idea of the passage?

✅ Correct Answer: C

💡 Reasoning: The passage uses a scientific concept to deliver a motivational message about inner strength and stability.