Quaking Earth, Racing Waves

1. From paragraphs 1-2
Why were the students and teachers surprised by Sieh's warnings?

• They believed earthquakes were rare in their region.

• They thought their buildings were earthquake-proof.

• They had already prepared for an earthquake.

• They assumed volcanoes were a bigger threat.

2. From paragraphs 3-4
Why did Sieh believe another major earthquake was likely to happen?

• His personal observations confirmed unusual ground movement.

• Scientists detected a rapid increase in underground pressure.

• Historical patterns showed that large earthquakes repeat over time.

• The region had not experienced an earthquake for thousands of years.

3. From paragraphs 5-6
Why did Sieh compare earthquakes to a 'wound-up spring'?

• To show how the pressure builds up before releasing suddenly

• To explain how earthquakes create aftershocks

• To describe the way buildings shake during an earthquake

• To illustrate the movement of tsunamis

4. From paragraphs 7-8
What made the 2004 earthquake more dangerous than previous ones?

• It occurred deeper in the ocean than usual.

• It triggered a tsunami that spread destruction across multiple countries.

• It lasted for several days, causing long-term shaking.

• It created new cracks in the Earth's crust.

5. From paragraphs 9-10
What does the word thrust mean in the description of the earthquake?

• A slow and steady movement of the Earth's surface

• A sudden and forceful shift in the Earth's crust

• The movement of lava during an earthquake

• A type of energy wave traveling through the ocean

6. From paragraphs 11-12

Why did the tsunami waves radiate so quickly after the earthquake?

• The earthquake created strong winds that pushed the water.

• The deep ocean floor collapsed, pulling the water downward.

• The force of the earthquake lifted a huge section of the seafloor.

• The waves were formed by underwater volcanic eruptions.

7. From paragraphs 13-14
What does the word parallel mean in the sentence about tsunami waves?

• Moving in the same direction without crossing

• Spinning in a circular motion

• Colliding with each other at different angles

• Rising and falling in height

8. From paragraphs 15-16
Why was the destruction from the tsunami so severe?

• Many coastal communities had little to no warning.

• The earthquake itself caused more damage than the waves.

• Most buildings in the region were designed to withstand tsunamis.

• The tsunami only affected one country, making it hard to respond.

9. From paragraphs 17-18
What does lateral movement refer to in an earthquake?

• The up-and-down motion of the ground

• The shifting of the Earth's crust from side to side

• The way tsunami waves spread in different directions

• The collapse of buildings due to shaking

10. From paragraphs 19-20
What triggered the tsunami after the earthquake?

• A shift in the ocean floor pushed massive amounts of water forward.

• A strong gust of wind caused large waves to form.

• A volcanic eruption under the sea created the waves.

• A sudden change in temperature caused rapid ocean movement.