Donna O'Meara: The Volcano Lady

Which sentence from the following passage (paragraph 4) best shows Donna O’Meara’s interest in the forces of nature?

O’Meara grew up in the New England countryside. There are no volcanoes in Connecticut, but in the spring and summer there were fierce thunder and lightning storms that thrilled Donna. In school, her favorite classes were earth science and biology. However, instead of turning her love for science into a career after graduation, she became an artist, photographer, and writer. As she worked on different magazines and books, she gradually began to realize that something was missing in her life.

• “O’Meara grew up in the New England countryside.”

• “There are no volcanoes in Connecticut, but in the spring and summer there were fierce thunder and lightning storms that thrilled Donna.”

• “However, instead of turning her love for science into a career after graduation, she became an artist, photographer, and writer.”

• “As she worked on different magazines and books, she gradually began to realize that something was missing in her life.”

The following passage (paragraph 5) adds to the development of the text mainly by __________.

When Donna went back to school at the age of 32 to study science, her passion for volcanoes began. She took geology classes to learn more about what rocks and soil tell us about the earth. She found out that volcanism is one of the most dynamic forces in nature. Volcanoes constantly shape and change the earth. Many islands, such as the islands that make up Hawaii, were formed by volcanic activity.

• showing why working on magazines and books is boring

• explaining why readers should pursue a career in studying volcanoes

• suggesting that Donna was becoming more passionate about studying volcanoes

• suggesting that studying volcanoes was the wrong career choice for Donna

What is most closely the meaning of document as it is used in the following passage (paragraph 8)?

From their home, Donna and Steve run Volcano Watch International (VWI). The O’Mearas’ organization is dedicated to understanding how Earth’s active volcanoes work. VWI uses photos and video to educate people about the dangers of volcanoes. Their mission is to travel to active volcanoes and document the eruptions. The first volcano Donna studied was Kilauea, which is a shield volcano.

• noun | a written form of communication

• noun | a computer file containing information

• verb | to record in written or photographic form

• verb | to furnish with references or citations

The following passage (paragraph 11) adds to the development of the text mainly by __________.

Donna O’Meara escaped from her scary night of Mt. Stromboli safe and sound. Now she and Steve hope that the knowledge they gather photographing and studying volcanoes will help save the lives of people who live near them. The O’Mearas’ volcano photographs, videos, and samples of volcanic rock are part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution located in Washington, D.C.

• explaining why Donna O’Meara feared for her life on Mt. Stromboli

• suggesting the importance of the O’Mearas’ work to science

• explaining that the Smithsonian Institution only features exhibits related to volcanoes

• suggesting that the O’Mearas love their work, but it does not do much for the world

Which of the following inferences is best supported by the passage below (paragraph 1)?

After a blistering hot day, a cold storm suddenly whipped the top of Mt. Stromboli, a volcano on an island off the coast of Sicily. The temperature quickly dropped over 60 degrees. Donna O’Meara and her husband, Steve, didn’t dare try to climb down the steep slopes in the dark. They were stuck on a narrow ledge just 200 feet above a fiery, smoking pit.

• Donna and Steve O’Meara did not think this expedition would be dangerous.

• The O’Mearas lived in Sicily most of the year.

• The O’Mearas had plenty of equipment for this situation.

• Donna and Steve O’Meara were in a dangerous situation.

Which sentence from the passage best supports this inference?

Donna and Steve O’Meara were in a dangerous situation.

• “After a blistering hot day, a cold storm suddenly whipped the top of Mt. Stromboli, a volcano on an island off the coast of Sicily.”

• “The temperature quickly dropped over 60 degrees.”

• “Donna O’Meara and her husband, Steve, didn’t dare try to climb down the steep slopes in the dark.”

• “They were stuck on a narrow ledge just 200 feet above a fiery, smoking pit.”

Which of the following inferences about Donna O’Meara is best supported by the entire text?

• Donna quietly regrets her decision to study volcanoes.

• Donna and Steve don’t have anything in common other than their interest in volcanoes.

• Donna loves her work so much that she is willing to risk her safety for it.

• Donna wouldn’t have been interested in volcanoes if she’d grown up near them.

Which passage from the text best supports this:

Donna loves her work so much that she is willing to risk her safety for it.

• “After dodging lava bombs and feeling the heat from underground lava melting her shoes, Donna was hooked.”

• “Lava that hardens creates new landforms, and some volcanoes, such as Surtsey off the coast of iceland, actually create new islands!”

• “Today, Donna can’t imagine what her life would be like without volcanoes.”

• “Since the sides of this volcano are steep, it was impossible for the O’Mearas to travel down the slopes until the sun rose in the morning.”

What is a synonym for ongoing?

• active

• predict

• document

• dynamic

• eruptions

What is the synonym for forecast?

• eruptions

• dynamic

• predict

• active

• document