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Worksheets

America's Deadliest Disaster

Total questions: 22

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is Galveston like today?

a)

It's gone.

b)

It's the most important city in Texas.

c)

It's a peaceful vacation spot.

2.

About how many people died in the hurricane?

a)

80

b)

800

c)

8,000

3.

Which sentence about Galveston in 1900 is true?

a)

It had never flooded.

b)

It had no restaurants.

c)

It was home to only 100 people.

d)

It was the most important city in Texas.

4.

In the first section, Harry hears the wind and a _______.

a)

woman yelling for help

b)

friend knocking on his door

c)

truck cleaning the wreckage

d)

streetcar going past his house

5.

People had no idea a hurricane was about to hit Galveston in 1900 because back then ________.

a)

scientists could not track storms

b)

most people did not have radios

c)

news reports did not tell about the weather

d)

hurricanes almost never formed during the day

6.

The city of Galveston was prone to flooding. This means it was _______.

a)

at risk

b)

safe

c)

prepared

d)

unprepared

7.

What was Galveston like before the hurricane of 1900?

a)

rich and important

b)

quiet and charming

c)

undeveloped

d)

filled with debris

8.

Why weren't the people of Galveston prepared for the hurricane?

a)

It was stronger than expected.

b)

It his earlier than expected.

c)

They lived far from the ocean.

d)

They didn't know it was coming.

9.

How did Harry feel when he first heard the woman’s cry for help?

a)

calm

b)

confident

c)

excited

d)

uncertain

10.

Which sentence from the story best supports your previous answer?

a)

“How could he possibly help anyone caught in that storm?”

b)

“Her words seemed to grab hold of Harry’s heart.”

c)

“Harry left work at 4 p.m. and ran home through the flooded streets.”

d)

“That’s when Harry heard the woman calling.”

11.

What was the result of Harry's actions?

a)

His family survived the storm.

b)

More than 30 lives were saved.

c)

Fewer houses were destroyed.

d)

Galveston recovered quickly.

12.

Which sentence below best expresses the main idea of "America's Deadliest Disaster"?

a)

Harry Maxson took a big risk.

b)

In 1900, a hurricane destroyed the city of Galveston.

c)

Galveston was an important city in the 1900s.

d)

Hurricanes form over oceans when wind meets water.

13.

Which word best describes Harry Maxson?

a)

careless

b)

bossy

c)

helpful

d)

shy

14.

Harry wrote "There were people praying on their knees." these people were feeling....

a)

disappointed

b)

frightened

c)

surprised

d)

joyful

15.

"America's Deadliest Disaster" is mainly about...

a)

the life of Harry Maxson

b)

a hurricane in Galveston

c)

Texas in the 1900s

d)

how hurricanes form

16.

Which sentence below expresses the main idea of "America's Deadliest Disaster"?

a)

Harry Maxson took a big risk.

b)

In 1900, a hurricane destroyed the city of Galveston.

c)

Galveston was an important city in the 1900s.

d)

Hurricanes form over oceans when wind meets water.

17.

What does the word devouring mean in the sentence below?

The furious hurricane was devouring Harry's neighborhood.

a)

changing

b)

getting back

c)

eating in a fast and hungry way

d)

ridiculous

18.

What does the word prone mean in the sentence below?

True, this glittering city was prone to flooding.

a)

Especially at risk for or likely to be affected by

b)

changing

c)

get back

d)

what you think is likely of happen in the future

19.

What does the word predictions mean in the sentence below?

Most of the weatherman's predictions were wrong.

a)

changing

b)

pieces of something that has been destroyed

c)

statements about what you think is likely to happen in the future.

d)

eating in a fast and hungry way

20.

What does the word absurd mean in the sentence below?

The idea of a hurricane striking Galveston was absurd.

a)

People moving to a mew country

b)

ridiculous

c)

Get back

d)

swirling or moving violently

21.

What does the word debris mean in the sentence below?

In minutes, the entire city was transformed into a raging sea, filled with debris.

a)

get back

b)

people moving to a new country

c)

eating in a fast and hungry way.

d)

pieces of something that has been destroyed

22.

What does the word reclaim mean in the sentence below?

They will reclaim the money.

a)

get back

b)

ridiculous

c)

changing

d)

gracefully