Earthquakes

What is the main idea of the passage?

• Earthquakes happen only in certain parts of the world.

• Earthquakes are caused by moving tectonic plates and can change the Earth's surface.

• Mountains are the most dangerous places to live.

• Scientists can stop earthquakes from happening.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Which sentence from the passage best supports the main idea?

• “Every day an average of fifty earthquakes are detected on Earth’s surface.”

• “Scientists can measure the strength, or magnitude, of an earthquake with an instrument called a seismograph.”

• “As they move, they rub against one another, building up stored energy and pressure.”

• “The longer the lines, the greater the energy released by the quake.”

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What does the word “magnitude” most likely mean in paragraph 3?

• The color of the earthquake

• The shape of the earthquake

• The strength or size of the earthquake

• The sound the earthquake makes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

How do tectonic plates cause earthquakes?

• They melt in the hot core of the Earth.

• They rub or crash into each other, releasing energy.

• They float and make the oceans move.

• They break apart and disappear.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What is the main purpose of paragraph 5?

• To tell a story about climbing a mountain

• To describe how rivers and oceans are made

• To explain how scientists measure earthquakes

• To give an example of how tectonic plates form mountains

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What text structure is used in the paragraph about the Himalayas (paragraph 5)?

• Cause and effect

• Compare and contrast

• Problem and solution

• Chronological order