Question

Word bank: wildfires, habitats, earthquake, hurricane, flood



1. A _____________ is a sudden shaking of the ground caused by movements under the Earth’s surface.

2. During a _____________, heavy rain can cause rivers to overflow onto the land.

3. _____________ are huge storms with strong winds and rain that form over warm ocean water.

4. When a _____________ happens, fire spreads quickly through forests or grasslands.

5. Natural disasters can destroy _____________, which are homes for plants and animals.



Choose the correct answer from the choices for each question:



6. Which of the following is NOT a natural disaster?

a) Earthquake

b) Flood

c) Building collapse

d) Hurricane



7. What can happen to animals during a wildfire?

a) They might move to a new area

b) They build new homes instantly

c) They cause the fire to stop

d) They become stronger



8. What is one-way hurricanes affect the environment?

a) They make plants grow faster

b) They can cause flooding and damage trees

c) They make the air cleaner

d) They improve animal habitats



9. Which natural disaster is caused by too much water and often happens after heavy rain?

a) Earthquake

b) Flood

c) Wildfire

d) Tornado



10. How can people help the environment recover after a natural disaster?

a) Ignore the damage

b) Litter the area

c) Plant new trees and clean up debris

d) Build more roads



11. Which sentence shows a text structure that lists causes and then explains their effects?

A. First, heavy rains flooded the fields. As a result, many crops were destroyed and animals lost their habitats.

B. The stormy weather was scary; however, people stayed calm and helped each other.

C. On Saturday, the town celebrated its annual fair with music and games.

D. The author describes the earthquake using a lot of sensory details to create tension.



12. Which question would help a reader identify the author's use of cause-and-effect structure in an article about hurricanes?

A. How are hurricanes similar to tornadoes?

B. What steps did the community take after the hurricane?

C. What caused the storm surge and what were the results?

D. Who is the main character in the story about the rescue team?



13. An article explains: "After the flood, chemicals from damaged factories entered the river. Consequently, fish died and the water became unsafe for drinking." Which signal word in this excerpt most clearly indicates cause-and-effect structure?

A. "After"

B. "Consequently"

C. "For"

D. "And"



14. "Wildfires can spread quickly because of dry conditions, strong winds, and lots of fuel from dead plants. These fires burn trees, destroy homes, and force animals to flee." Which text structure best matches this excerpt?

A. Compare and contrast

B. Cause and effect

C. Problem and solution

D. Sequence (chronological order)



Short answer questions

15. Choose one type of natural disaster and describe how it changes the environment.

16. What are the characteristics of a tornado?

17. How are hurricanes generally formed?

18. Why is it good to have an emergency kit at home?

19. Why is it important for people to learn about natural disasters?

20. What are some ways communities can prepare for natural disasters to protect the environment?

Answer 1

1. earthquake

2. flood

3. hurricanes

4. wildfires

5. habitats

6. c) Building collapse

7. a) They might move to a new area

8. b) They can cause flooding and damage trees

9. b) Flood

10. c) Plant new trees and clean up debris

11. A

12. C

13. B ("Consequently")

14. B (Cause and effect)

Short answer questions

15. Example — Wildfire: Wildfires burn trees and plants, destroying habitats and food sources. After a fire, soil can lose nutrients and become more prone to erosion, which can change streams and make it harder for plants and animals to return. Some species may die or move away, and the landscape may slowly change as new plants grow back.

16. Characteristics of a tornado:
- A rapidly rotating column of air that touches the ground (often seen as a funnel cloud)
- Forms from severe thunderstorms
- Very strong winds concentrated in a narrow path
- Usually short-lived (minutes to an hour)
- Can cause severe damage to buildings, trees, and vehicles

17. How hurricanes form:
- Warm ocean water heats the air above it, causing the air to rise
- Rising warm, moist air creates low pressure and thunderstorms
- Winds begin to spiral around the low-pressure center because of Earth’s rotation (Coriolis effect)
- If conditions stay favorable (warm water, low wind shear), the storm organizes and strengthens into a hurricane with a defined eye and spiral rain bands

18. Why it’s good to have an emergency kit at home:
- It gives you supplies to survive for several days if services are cut off (water, food, flashlight, radio, medicines, first-aid)
- It helps you stay safe and self-sufficient during and after a disaster while waiting for help

19. Why it’s important to learn about natural disasters:
- Knowing what can happen and what to do reduces injury, saves lives, and lowers damage
- Education helps people prepare, respond, and recover faster
- It also helps communities protect infrastructure and the environment

20. Ways communities can prepare to protect the environment:
- Create and practice emergency plans and evacuation routes
- Install early warning systems and communicate risks clearly
- Enforce building codes and land-use rules (avoid building in floodplains)
- Protect and restore natural buffers (wetlands, dunes, mangroves) that reduce damage
- Secure hazardous materials and plan safe disposal to prevent pollution after disasters
- Replant trees and restore habitats quickly after events to reduce erosion and help recovery
- Run community drills and public education programs about preparedness and environmental protection