The Race Against Death

Where does this story take place?

• Alaska

• California

• Russia

• Indiana

Which statement best describes the section "A Deadly Outbreak"?

• The author lists several causes of diphtheria outbreak in Nome.

• The author compares and contrasts Nome, Alaska to other parts of Alaska.

• The author describes the diphtheria outbreak in Nome and then explains how the problem could be solved.

• The author gives a chronological account of the dogsled race to Nome.

The authors develop the idea that diphtheria is dangerous in each of the following ways EXCEPT

• by explaining that there was a vaccine for diphtheria

• by explaining how diphtheria spreads from person to person

• by listing the possible complications that diphtheria can cause

• by including a statistic about how many people were killed by diphtheria each year

How do the authors characterize the mushers?

• easygoing and friendly

• determined and resilient

• helpless and lonely

• hopeful and stubborn

Choose TWO details that best supports your answer to question 3.

• "In spite of the risks, Shannon pushed on, pausing only for a few hours near the end to rest his dogs and warm his frozen body." (p. 9)

• The musher was losing his strength." (p. 10)

• "Severe frostbite can cause flesh to die." (p. 9)

• "The mushers had made the trip in just six days." (p. 10)

What is the problem in the story?

• The town of Nome Alaska has been hit with diphtheria and is cut off from the rest of the world due to the harsh Alaskan winter.

• The town of Nenana has been hit with diphtheria and is cut off from the rest of the world due to the harsh Alaskan winter.

• The town of Winchester has been hit with diphtheria and is cut off from the rest of the world due to the harsh Alaskan winter.

• The town of Nulato has been hit with diphtheria and is cut off from the rest of the world due to the harsh Alaskan winter.

On page 9, the authors write, "In Nome, the crisis was becoming graver by the hour." Context clues reveal that in this sentence, grave most closely means

• serious

• lively

• unlucky

• encouraging

Which detail would be LEAST important to include in a summary of the article?

• The mushers made a trip to Nome in only six days.

• Leonhard Seppala had to take a shortcut across the frozen Norton Sound

• Nome, Alaska is difficult to reach in the winter because of its remote location.

• Diptheria is a highly contagious and dangerous disease.

What does hypothermia mean?

• A condition in which the temperature of the body is dangerously low.

• A condition in the body when the temperature climbs too high and threatens your health.

• The central heating system in Ancient Rome

• A new brand of mittens that keep your fingers warm.