Black Sunday

Why is April 14, 1935 called Black Sunday, according to “Black Sunday: The Storm That Gave Us the Dust Bowl”?

• because it was the hottest day on record

• because it was the start of the Great Depression

• because it was the day Congress held hearings about the Dust Bowl

• because it was the day a huge dust storm swept across the Great Plains

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CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

How did many “Okies” respond to the Dust Bowl, according to “Black Sunday: The Storm That Gave Us the Dust Bowl”?

• They asked Congress for help.

• They built fences to block the dust.

• They moved to places like California.

• They changed their farming techniques.

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CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which of these were factors that led to the events described in “Black Sunday: The Storm That Gave Us the Dust Bowl”? Choose two of the following options.

• a severe drought

• a strong hurricane

• the construction of railroads

• poor soil conservation techniques

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CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

With what historical event or trend is Black Sunday closely associated, according to “Black Sunday: The Storm That Gave Us the Dust Bowl”?

• the growth of cities in America

• a new style of newspaper reporting

• the beginning of a better time for many farmers

• the poverty and upheavals of the Great Depression

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CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

In “Black Sunday: The Storm That Gave Us the Dust Bowl,” the author refers to an artwork that sums up the effects of Black Sunday. To what artwork does the author refer?

• a. a folk song

• b. a short story

• c. an oil painting

• d. a bronze statue

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CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Synonyms are words that mean the same thing. Which of the following is the best synonym of the word plight, based on its use in the following sentence? Officials were concerned that the freezing temperatures would make the plight of the city’s homeless population even worse.

• idea

• solution

• difficult situation

• political movement

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CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

If Katie lives in an impoverished nation, which of the following must be true?

• The nation is poor.

• The nation is crowded.

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CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

After receiving a low score on a test that he studied hard for, Aiden tells you that he feels demoralized. What does Aiden mean?

• He feels calm and content.

• He feels angry and outraged.

• He feels inspired and optimistic.

• He feels depressed and discouraged.

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CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

What is the most likely reason the author chose to include the following passage in “Black Sunday: The Storm That Gave Us the Dust Bowl”? That afternoon, a gigantic cloud swept across the Great Plains. It was 1,000 miles long and blew at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. It was made of 300,000 tons of dust whipped from the ground of northern farmlands….

• to show how the storm affected people

• to explain the science that caused the storm

• to give an idea of the huge size of the storm

• to identify exactly when the storm happened

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CCSS.RI.6.6

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B. Part A Read the first two paragraphs of “Black Sunday: The Storm That Gave Us the Dust Bowl.” It seemed like an ordinary day at first. Like any other day, folks on the Great Plains were struggling to get by. People walked to church, swept up from the dust storm that had blown through the week before, perhaps discussed the Congressional hearings that had brought the plight of the region, which had been ravaged by drought and the economic effects of the Great Depression, to the attention of the rest of the nation. But Black Sunday—April 14, 1935—was no ordinary day. What is the most likely reason the author began the article with these details?

• to explain some of the causes of the dust storm

• to emphasize the historic significance of the day

• to show that people were not prepared for a dust storm

• to create a contrast with life in other parts of the country

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10