Title: All Shook Up Wonders - RI.5 Comparison Test

Instructions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

Passage:

“All Shook Up Wonders”

Have you ever wondered what causes earthquakes? Well, earthquakes happen when there is a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust. This energy creates seismic waves that shake the ground. The Earth’s crust is made up of several large and small pieces called tectonic plates. These plates are constantly moving, but they can get stuck at their edges due to friction. When the stress on the edge overcomes the friction, there is an earthquake that releases energy in the form of waves.

Earthquakes can vary in size and intensity. The Richter scale is used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake. It ranges from 0 to 10, with each whole number increase representing a tenfold increase in amplitude. For example, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5 is ten times stronger than one with a magnitude of 4.

Scientists have been studying earthquakes for many years. They use seismographs to measure the seismic waves produced by earthquakes. By analyzing these waves, scientists can determine the location and magnitude of an earthquake. This information helps them understand the causes and effects of earthquakes, and also helps in predicting future earthquakes.

Now that you know a little more about earthquakes, you can appreciate the power and wonder of these natural phenomena!

Questions:

1. What causes earthquakes? a) The movement of tectonic plates b) The release of energy in the Earth’s core c) The friction between the Earth’s crust and the core d) The shaking of the ground due to seismic waves

2. What are tectonic plates? a) Large and small pieces of the Earth’s core b) Large and small pieces of the Earth’s crust c) Large and small pieces of the Earth’s mantle d) Large and small pieces of the Earth’s atmosphere

3. How are earthquakes measured? a) Using a seismograph b) Using a Richter scale c) Using a thermometer d) Using a barometer

4. What does the Richter scale measure? a) The location of an earthquake b) The magnitude of an earthquake c) The duration of an earthquake d) The frequency of an earthquake

5. How does the magnitude of an earthquake change as the Richter scale increases? a) It decreases b) It remains the same c) It increases tenfold d) It decreases tenfold

6. What do scientists use seismographs for? a) To measure the location and magnitude of an earthquake b) To predict future earthquakes c) To analyze seismic waves d) All of the above

7. What is the purpose of studying earthquakes? a) To understand their causes and effects b) To appreciate their power and wonder c) To predict future earthquakes d) All of the above

Answer Key: 1. a) The movement of tectonic plates 2. b) Large and small pieces of the Earth’s crust 3. b) Using a Richter scale 4. b) The magnitude of an earthquake 5. c) It increases tenfold 6. d) All of the above 7. d) All of the above