Independent Read: Donna O’Meara: The Volcano Lady

From “Donna O’Meara: The Volcano Lady” by McGraw Hill Education

"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."

Which of the following context clues in the text help you to define the technical term "dynamic"?

• "...constantly shape and change the earth."

• "...tell us about the earth."

• "...were formed by volcanic activity."

• "...her passion for volcanoes began."

From “Donna O’Meara: The Volcano Lady” by McGraw Hill Education.

"Frightening experiences on top of a volcano are not unusual for Donna O’Meara. For over 25 years, she has worked with Steve to photograph and study volcanoes all over the world. They hope their documentation will someday be a written and visual record of information that helps scientists to better predict volcanic eruptions."

Which of the following best defines "documentation" as it's used in the passage?

• "For over 25 years."

• "Frightening experiences..."

• "written and visual record of information..."

• "...helps scientists to better predict volcanic eruptions."

From “Donna O’Meara: The Volcano Lady” by McGraw Hill Education

"Donna says the experience of being stranded on Mt. Stromboli for one freezing night was the scariest experience of her life. 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. So they were trapped on a ledge in the freezing cold with scalding rocks flying around them."

Which of the following best defines "stranded" as it's used in the passage?

• "...scariest experience of her life."

• "...they were trapped on a ledge..."

• "...it was impossible..."

• "Since the sides of this volcano are steep..."

From “Donna O’Meara: The Volcano Lady” by McGraw Hill Education

"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.Mt. Stromboli is a stratovolcano. A stratovolcano has the common cone shape people usually picture when they think of a volcano. It is formed from explosive eruptions that build layers of ash, lava, and cinders at the top of the mountain."

Which of the following context clues in the text help you to define the technical term "stratovolcano"?

• "...usually picture when they think of a volcano."

• "...photos and video to educate people..."

• "The O’Mearas’ organization..."

• "common cone shape...that build layers of ash, lava, and cinders at the top of the mountain."

From “Donna O’Meara: The Volcano Lady” by McGraw Hill Education

"They huddled together, shivering nonstop in the cold air. Thundering blasts from the volcano and falling rocks the size of basketballs kept them awake and fearful. When the sun came up, Donna felt cinder burns on her face. There were sharp pieces of rock tangled in her hair."

Which of the following best defines "cinder" as it's used in the passage?

• "...shivering nonstop..."

• "...awake and fearful."

• "...blasts from the volcano..."

• "...sharp pieces of rock..."

From “Donna O’Meara: The Volcano Lady” by McGraw Hill Education

"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."

Which of the following best defines "geology" as it's used in the passage?

• "...one of the most dynamic forces in nature."

• "... rocks and soil tell us about the earth. "

• "Many islands, such as the islands that make up Hawaii..."

• "...her passion for volcanoes began."