Passage 1: Land of Extremes

Read the passage 'Land of Extremes.' What is the hottest temperature ever recorded in the United States, and where did it occur?

• 120°F in the Mojave Desert

• 134°F in Death Valley

• 110°F in Arizona

• 100°F in Texas

Death Valley is the driest place in North America because:

• It is located in a rain shadow region.

• It is near the ocean.

• It is at a high elevation.

• It receives heavy rainfall all year.

Read the passage 'Land of Extremes.' Death Valley lies 282 feet below sea level, making it the ________ place in North America.

• lowest

• hottest

• wettest

• highest

Read the passage 'Land of Extremes.' How have plants in Death Valley adapted to the extreme environment?

• By growing tall and wide

• By having short roots and waxy leaves

• By needing lots of water

• By living only in the mountains

Read the passage 'Land of Extremes.' Which animal can live an entire year without water?

• Desert tortoise

• Kangaroo rat

• Both A and B

• None of the above

Read the passage 'Land of Extremes.' Death Valley is called a 'land of extremes' because it is both very hot and very dry.

• True

• False

What caused the super bloom in Death Valley?

• The seeds were always growing

• There was more rain than usual

• The temperature was very high

• The seeds were planted by people

How long did Mom say the wildflowers would last?

• A month or two

• A week or less

• All summer long

• Just a few days

According to the passage, what happens to the wildflowers when the temperatures rise?

• They would quickly wilt.

• They would bloom more brightly.

• They would grow taller.

• They would change color.

What does the word basin mean as it is used in paragraph 2 of Passage 1?

• a very dry place

• a low area of land

• a steep slope

• a range of mountains