Black Blizzard - Test

Which sentence from paragraph 2 of the article is an example of a comparison that the author uses to help readers understand how quickly soil is carried by the wind?

• A black blizzard is the same experience multiplied many times over.

• Like water flowing in a river, fast air currents pick up and transport loose, dry soil.

• Saltation and creep come together to move massive amounts of material.

• In September 2009, a giant dust storm moved five million tons of red outback soil through Sydney, Australia!

What is the effect of using the words gritty, dark, and smothering to describe the dust storm in paragraph 1? Use details from the article to support your answer.

Remember sensory words are words that help the reader feel (touch), hear, see, smell, or taste.

Give at least 2 examples

Read the sentence from paragraph 3.

The grinding blast damages crops, livestock, buildings, and vehicles.

How does the author’s use of the phrase “the grinding blast” affect readers’ understanding of black blizzards?

• It helps readers imagine how harmful a dust storm can be.

• It helps readers understand that dust storms appear in dry areas.

• It helps readers imagine the limited visibility during a dust storm.

• It helps readers understand why people get sick after a dust storm.

What is the central idea of paragraph 4?

Remember, a GREAT central idea includes the topic (what/who the story is mostly about), and details (details about what or who the story is mostly about). Combine these two things to create a central idea that is ONE sentence long.