Quake in Indonesia. A series of earthquakes strike the island nation.

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1 Quake in Indonesia A series of earthquakes strike the island nation. A series of earthquakes rocked the Indonesian island of Sumatra in Southeast Asia. On March 6, 2007, a 6.3-magnitude 1 quake destroyed dozens of buildings, killed at least 70 people, and injured hundreds of others. It was followed by several aftershocks, or smaller earthquakes. The quakes sent people running from their homes in search of safety. "We all just fled as quickly as we could," an Indonesian worker told reporters. The worker was in the seaside town of Padang when the ground began to move. Padang is just a few miles southwest of the epicenter of the earthquake. The epicenter is the area above the underground point where the earthquake begins. Many people living near the ocean ran for higher ground during the tremors. 2 They feared that the earthquake would trigger giant waves similar to the devastating tsunami 3 that hit southern Asia and eastern Africa in December That disaster was caused by a 9.0- magnitude earthquake in the Indian Ocean off Sumatra. Fortunately, the March 2007 earthquake was not powerful enough to cause a similar disaster. The earthquake was strong enough to topple buildings inland. The town of Solok suffered the most damage. Hospitals there ran out of beds for injured people. Cots were set up for patients being treated for cuts and broken bones. The islands that make up Indonesia are located along the Ring of Fire. That is an area along the edge of the Pacific Ocean where Earth's tectonic plates 4 push against each other, often causing earthquakes and volcanoes. In parts of Indonesia, an average of five earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 5 occur each year. 1 magnitude: the strength of an earthquake measured by a number on a scale 2 tremor: a quivering or vibrating motion; a small movement of the earth before or after an earthquake 3 tsunami: huge wave produced by an earthquake or a volcano eruption under the sea 4 tectonic plates: large plate-like sections that make up the surface of the Earth Article: Copyright 2007 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Used by permission. 1

2 Questions: Quake in Indonesia Name: Date: 1. What was the magnitude of the earthquake that hit Sumatra? A 6.3 B 7.1 C 4.5 D According to the passage, earthquakes can cause all of the following EXCEPT A injuries B tsunamis C meteor showers D damage to buildings 3. Because earthquakes can cause injuries, deaths, and damage to buildings, they are considered A dangerous B thrilling C harmless D daring 4. Read the following sentence: The earthquake was strong enough to topple buildings inland. In this sentence the word topple means A to destroy B to reach C to knock down D to carry 5. What was the author s reason for writing this passage? A To compare and contrast two events that occurred B to make readers frightened about an event that happened C to inform readers about something that happened D to prove his or her side of an argument 1

3 Questions: Quake in Indonesia 6. Why are earthquakes so prevalent in Indonesia? Use evidence from the text to support your answer. 7. The passage states that The quakes sent people running from their homes in search of safety. Where might people have sought safety? Why? 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. On March 6, 2007, a 6.3-magnitude quake destroyed dozens of buildings, killing at least 70 people, injuring hundreds of others. A or B so C and D for 2

4 Questions: Quake in Indonesia 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. Many people living near the ocean ran for higher ground during the tremors. Who? many people (did) What? When? Where? 10. Vocabulary Word: magnitude: describes something of great size or importance. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: 3

5 Teacher Guide & Answers: Quake in Indonesia Teacher Guide and Answers Passage Reading Level: Lexile 970 Featured Text Structure: Cause/Effect the writer presents the reason an event happened and its results Passage Summary: Quake in Indonesia explores the aftermath of a 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit the island nation of Sumatra in Hundreds of people were killed or injured and many buildings were destroyed. 1. What was the magnitude of the earthquake that hit Sumatra? A 6.3 B 7.1 C 4.5 D According to the passage, earthquakes can cause all of the following EXCEPT A injuries B tsunamis C meteor showers D damage to buildings 3. Because earthquakes can cause injuries, deaths, and damage to buildings, they are considered A dangerous B thrilling C harmless D daring 4. Read the following sentence: The earthquake was strong enough to topple buildings inland. In this sentence the word topple means A to destroy B to reach C to knock down D to carry 5. What was the author s reason for writing this passage? A To compare and contrast two events that occurred B to make readers frightened about an event that happened C to inform readers about something that happened D to prove his or her side of an argument 1

6 Teacher Guide & Answers: Quake in Indonesia 6. Why are earthquakes so prevalent in Indonesia? Use evidence from the text to support your answer. Suggested answer: Earthquakes are prevalent in Indonesia because it is located in the Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire is an area in the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcano eruptions happen frequently because Earth s tectonic plates are pushing together. [paragraph 5] 7. The passage states that The quakes sent people running from their homes in search of safety. Where might people have sought safety? Why? Suggested answer: People near the coast may have gone inland or to high ground to avoid being swept away should a tsunami hit. People whose homes were weak may have gone to stay in stronger buildings so that their homes did not collapse while they were inside. People who were injured may have gone to hospitals for medical help. [paragraphs 2-4] 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. On March 6, 2007, a 6.3-magnitude quake destroyed dozens of buildings, killing at least 70 people, injuring hundreds of others. A or B so C and D for 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. Many people living near the ocean ran for higher ground during the tremors. Who? many people (did) What? ran When? during the tremors Where? for higher ground 10. Vocabulary Word: magnitude: describes something of great size or importance. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: answers may vary. 2

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