The Arid Lands

1. 1. What is the purpose of the author’s imagery in the first paragraph?

• to suggest that some people consider deserts to be remote

• to convince people that learning about deserts is fascinating

• to describe the common impression of deserts that most people have

• to hint that most people think that studying deserts is not worthwhile

2. 2. Which word from this sentence reveals the author’s point of view?

• “arid”

• “lands”

• “surprisingly”

• “varied”

3. 3. What is the main idea of the passage?

• Deserts are formed in various ways and have many different characteristics.

• The wind plays a very important role in the creation of some types of deserts.

• Deserts are covered in different patterns of sand and may move with the wind.

• Most people imagine deserts to be a lot smaller and drier than they actually are.

4. 4. In paragraph 8, the word “engulfed” most closely means

• decorated

• buried

• fascinated

• warned

Which of the following best describes the relationship between these two sentences?

• The first sentence makes a statement; the second sentence makes a comparison that

  supports that statement.

• The first sentence states a cause; the second sentence states the effect.

• The first sentence states a problem; the second sentence provides multiple possible

  solutions.

• The first sentence makes a comparison; the second sentence draws a contrast.

The diagram on the second page of the article best helps the reader to understand

• paragraph 2

• paragraph 3

• paragraph 4

• paragraph 5

Based on paragraph 5, which desert on the map is most likely hot during the day and very cold at

night?

• Desert 1: American Desert

• Desert 3: Patagonian Desert

• Desert 8: Gobi Desert

• Desert 11: Australian Desert