Exam I7 LV

Complete each sentence with one of the words below. 

Read the passage. Choose the vocabulary word that is most appropriate for each space. Not all words will be used. 

• block
• particularly
• collide
• strikes
• conditions
• threaten
• occurs
• violent
• on record

Tornadoes occur when warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air. Look at the map. Then decide whether each statement is TRUE or FALSE (write the answer in CAPITA LETTERS). 

Hurricanes 

A  Hurricanes are rapidly rotating tropical storms that have high winds and great amounts of rain. They form in warm waters and increase in size and strength as they develop. Hurricane is the name for the storms in the Atlantic Ocean, but they are known as typhoons and cyclones in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. As these severe storms strike land, they threaten people with storm surges, violent winds, and huge amounts of rain. Fortunately, scientists are able to predict the general route of the storms and how strong they will be. This allows people who live in coastal areas to prepare for hurricanes.

B Hurricanes frequently get started in the warm waters off the African coast as a tropical disturbance, a rather ordinary rain storm. Some of these swirling storms become tropical depressions as the winds increase speed. When the wind reaches 39 miles per hour (63 km/h), meteorologists consider it a tropical storm and start to track its path as it crosses the Atlantic. When the winds reach 74 miles per hour (119 km/h), the weather scientists consider it a hurricane. Hurricanes are labeled according to their wind speeds. There are five stages, going as high as 156.5 miles per hour (252 km/h) for a Category 5 hurricane.

C Meteorologists at NASA (National Aeronautical and Space Agency) and NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) keep data on many hurricanes. Typically, hurricanes have a center eye where winds are quiet, sometimes known as the calm, or eye, of the storm. The eye is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of thunderstorms where high winds swirl or circle around the eye. Beyond the eyewall are bands of heavy rain that can extend for hundreds of miles. NOAA weather satellites take photos of developing hurricanes where these three features are clearly visible. In addition, the National Hurricane Center flies special airplanes directly into the storm to gather data on wind speeds and the direction in which the storm is moving. They use the data to make predictions about the landfall – where the hurricane will collide with the coast – and what its impact will be.

D Although high winds and heavy rain are concerns at landfall, significant damage is caused by the storm surge, a wall of water often 10.3 yards (10 meters) high. The violent impact of the storm surge can destroy buildings and roadways along the coast and sweep anything in its path out to sea. Storm surges also cause flooding in low-lying areas. Government officials often ask people in coastal areas to evacuate and move inland to prevent deaths and injuries. Unlike dangerous tornadoes which develop suddenly and are difficult to forecast, hurricanes can be predicted. Dr. Phil Klotzbach, a hurricane researcher at Colorado State University, says that new computer models make it possible to predict landfall with greater accuracy up to five days in advance. Even though a storm may not make landfall for days, it is essential that people in its path make preparations to cope with it.

Read the passage before. Then read each question and choose the correct answer. 

16. Which of these statements is true?

17. What is the purpose of Paragraph B?

18. What wind speed does a storm have to have before scientists consider it a hurricane?

19. What is the main idea of Paragraph C?

20. Which of these is the best description of landfall?

21. What happens when people evacuate from a hurricane?

22. What does Dr. Phil Klotzbach study?

There is a process in preparing for a hurricane’s landfall. The first step is to be informed and to stay aware of the weather forecast. Make sure that your phone battery is charged and that you are set to receive emergency alerts about the storm. Second, decide on whether you intend to stay in place or to evacuate. If you think you’ll move inland away from the storm, know where you’re going and the route you’ll take. Leave early to avoid highways crowded with other evacuees. Even if you plan to stay in place at home, think about communicating with your family. Texting and social media are both good ways to keep in touch. The next step in your preparations is to make of kit of things you’ll need if the electricity and water are unavailable for days. Gather together food, water, medicine, a flashlight, and extra batteries. Don’t forget food for your pets too! Keep this emergency kit in a place where your family can see it and find it easily.

The fourth step happens when the storm is near. If possible, bring inside any objects that might blow away in heavy winds. Cover windows for the storm. During the storm, stay away from windows to prevent cuts from broken glass. Do not consider going outdoors during the storm! Finally, after the storm is over, be careful when you go outdoors. Do not try to walk or drive in flooded areas. Avoid contact with flood water because it might be polluted. During the storm, electrical wires may have blown down. Do not go anywhere near them. Keep in touch with your family and follow any instructions from rescue workers. It is important to continue to keep informed about the weather and any hazards. Be safe.

Read about preparing for a hurricane in the passage before, and notice the five steps in the process. Then read each statement and decide which step it belongs to. Choose the number of the step for your answer. 

Complete the sentences about a process by writing the simple present tense of the verb in parentheses. 

Read the paragraph. Use an appropriate word from the box to fill each space. Not all words will be used. 

• During
• Finally
• Initially
• Next
• Once
• Third

In each pair of sentences, one sentence has an error. Choose the sentence that is correct by writing in CAPITAL LETTER A or B in the space. 

Use the diagram to write a process paragraph about the water cycle. 

39. Start with water in the oceans. Use words from the diagram. Some of the words you may need are defined below. Remember to use sequence markers (First, Second, Next, Finally, etc.) to introduce each step.