15.2 End of Unit Reading Comprehension Assessment

Instructions

Today you will read two selections related to geology. After reading the first selection, you will answer several questions based on it. Then, you will read the second selection and answer several questions based on it. Some of the questions have two parts. You should answer Part A of the question before you answer Part B.

1

What causes earthquakes in Japan every year?

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A and then answer Part B.

1

Part A: Rank the three major earthquakes Japan has experienced in the past hundred years or so in order of strength, putting the strongest earthquake on the top and the weakest on the bottom.

1923, earthquake badly damaged the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama
1995, earthquake devastated the port city of Kobe
2011, the Great Tohoku earthquake

2

Part B: Why was the earthquake you labeled as the strongest in Part A also the most destructive earthquake?

1

In paragraph 5, what does the word advanced mean in the following sentence?

It has one of the most advanced earthquake early warning systems in the world.

1

How does Japan’s earthquake early warning system detect movements in the earth?

2

Why did Japan’s earthquake early warning system only give 15 seconds of warning to people in the city of Sendai before the 2011 earthquake?

1

How is the volcano on the island of Niishima off Japan’s coast acting as a creative force?

1

In paragraph 8, the author says that the world’s youngest island is a volcanic work in progress. What does volcanic work in progress mean?

1

What does the word tremble mean in the following sentence from paragraph 2?

The myths tell of times when these animals moved or fought, making the earth tremble.

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A and then answer Part B.

1

Part A: In paragraph 7, the author says the turtle was true to his word. What does this mean about the turtle?

2

Part B: How was the turtle true to his word?

1

Why did the Great Spirit tell the turtles not to move?

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A and then answer Part B.

1

Part A: Why did the turtles get angry?

2

Part B: What happened when they got angry?

1

What causes earthquakes according to this Gabrielino Indian myth?

1

In the Hoh myth, why does Thunderbird grab Whale out of the water?

1

What causes earthquakes in Japan every year?

Part A: Rank the three major earthquakes Japan has experienced in the past hundred years or so in order of strength, putting the strongest earthquake on the top and the weakest on the bottom.

Part B: Why was the earthquake you labeled as the strongest in Part A also the most destructive earthquake?

In paragraph 5, what does the word advanced mean in the following sentence?It has one of the most advanced earthquake early warning systems in the world.

How does Japan’s earthquake early warning system detect movements in the earth?

Why did Japan’s earthquake early warning system only give 15 seconds of warning to people in the city of Sendai before the 2011 earthquake?

How is the volcano on the island of Niishima off Japan’s coast acting as a creative force?

In paragraph 8, the author says that the world’s youngest island is a volcanic work in progress. What does volcanic work in progress mean?

What does the word tremble mean in the following sentence from paragraph 2? The myths tell of times when these animals moved or fought, making the earth tremble.

Part A: In paragraph 7, the author says the turtle was true to his word. What does this mean about the turtle?

Part B: How was the turtle true to his word?

Why did the Great Spirit tell the turtles not to move?

Part A: Why did the turtles get angry?

Part B: What happened when they got angry?

What causes earthquakes according to this Gabrielino Indian myth?

In the Hoh myth, why does Thunderbird grab Whale out of the water?

What caused earthquakes according to this Hoh myth?

In paragraph 5, what does the word advanced mean in the following sentence?

It has one of the most advanced earthquake early warning systems in the world.

What does the word tremble mean in the following sentence from paragraph 2?

The myths tell of times when these animals moved or fought, making the earth tremble.