On Shaky Ground (M4U1 Mid Unit Assessment)

What evidence supports the author’s point that the earthquake in Haiti was

more destructive than the earthquake in Chile?

• Only Haiti is near a fault line.

• The earthquake in Haiti had a magnitude of 7.0.

• More than 220,000 people died in Haiti.

• Haiti had not had an earthquake in 200 years.

According to the author, which of the following reasons explain why the

earthquake in Haiti caused more damage than the earthquake in Chile?

Click all that apply.

• The earthquake in Haiti had a higher magnitude.

• The buildings in Chile are stronger.

• The epicenter of the earthquake in Haiti was near the capital city.

• Haiti is located near a fault line.

What evidence supports the author’s point that location was one reason that the

earthquake in Haiti caused so much damage?

• Haiti is located in the Western Hemisphere.

• 1.5 million people are homeless.

• The earthquake’s epicenter was 10 miles away from Port-au-Prince.

• The shaking destroyed more than half of the buildings in the capital city.

Read the following quote from the text and answer the question that follows:

“The earthquake in Haiti had a magnitude of 7.0. The earthquake in Chile had a

magnitude of 8.8.”

How does the author use this evidence in the article?

• to support the point that the earthquake in Chile was more destructive

• to support the points that location and building strength were major factors

  in the destruction in Haiti

• to support the point that both countries are located on fault lines

• to support the point that all earthquakes are extremely powerful and

  dangerous

Read this sentence from the section “Moving Rocks”:

“Underneath the surface are rock plates.”

What is the meaning of the word plates as it is used in this sentence?

• a dish from which food is served or eaten

• a metal tag containing numbers or letters used to identify a vehicle

• large, moving pieces under the Earth’s land and water

• a thin sheet of metal

Read this sentence from the section “Moving Rocks”:

“Underneath the surface are rock plates.”

Which phrase in the text best helps you understand the meaning of the word

plate?

• “Where they meet, there are underground cracks called faults.”

• “The giant slabs of rock are always slowly moving.”

• “When the pressure becomes too high, the rocks snap.”

• “The violent shaking destroyed more than half of the city’s buildings.”

Read this sentence from the section “Built to Last”:

“The earthquake in Haiti had a magnitude of 7.0.”

What is the meaning of the word magnitude as it is used in this sentence?

• a measure of how many square miles an earthquake affects

• a measure of how long an earthquake lasts

• a measure of the strength of an earthquake

• a measure of how much damage an earthquake causes

Read this sentence from the section “Built to Last”:

“The earthquake in Haiti had a magnitude of 7.0.”

Which phrase in the text best helps you understand the meaning of the word

magnitude?

• “The earthquake in Chile had a magnitude of 8.8.”

• “Scientists measure the strength of an earthquake based on how much

  shaking occurs.”

• “Buildings there weren’t as strong.”

• “The violent shaking destroyed more than half of the city’s buildings.”