Pretest
Name ___________________________________ Date ____________
Directions: Read the passage. Then use the information from the passage
to answer questions 21–25.
Tsunami!
On that Sunday morning in December 2004, a huge wave in the
Indian Ocean was moving toward shore. By the time it reached the
beach, it was more than a wave. It was a tsunami!
What Causes a Tsunami?
What is a tsunami? How does it form? Let’s take a look at the 2004
tsunami that hit several parts of Asia. It started with an earthquake. The
quake pushed water up toward the surface, and the wave began moving
toward shore. The wave gathered speed and soon got closer to land.
Then it slowed down, but at the same time it grew higher. Last, the
wave hit the shore.
Water moves quickly toward shore.
The wave starts here.
The earthquake pushes water up.
Wave comes ashore.
The bottom of the ocean
slows down the wave,
and the wave gets higher.
Effects of a Tsunami
A tsunami destroys almost everything in its path. Waves crash against
the shore and smash buildings. Whole towns are destroyed.
In the 2004 tsunami, more than 200,000 people died, and many more
were missing. People lost their homes, their loved ones, and their farms
and stores. A tsunami is a great disaster.
Deadliest Tsunamis
22
Date
Location
Lives Lost
Dec.
Nov.
May
Aug.
Sept.
Indian Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean
Pacific Ocean
200,000+
60,000
40,000
36,500
31,000
26, 2004
1, 1755
22, 1782
27, 1883
20, 1498
Comprehension Strategy Assessment • Grade 4
© 2006 Benchmark Education Company, LLC
Name ___________________________________ Date ____________
21. Which is the best summary of this passage?
A Both the causes and effects of a tsunami can be deadly.
o
B A tsunami is a series of waves that move toward shore.
o
C In 2004, an earthquake caused a deadly tsunami in the
o
Indian Ocean.
D A tsunami crashes against the shore and smashes everything.
o
22. In what part of the passage should you look to find out what a
tsunami does to the land?
A Effects of a Tsunami
o
B What Causes a Tsunami?
o
C Deadliest Tsunamis
o
D the first paragraph
o
23. Why does a tsunami wave slow down as it gets closer to shore?
A The wave grows higher.
o
B The bottom of the ocean slows it down.
o
C The surface cools down.
o
D The wind pushes the water up.
o
24. Using the information from the chart, what can you conclude
about the 2004 tsunami?
A It was the deadliest tsunami in the last 500 years.
o
B The 2004 tsunami did not cause a great amount of damage.
o
C It was the only tsunami that occurred in the Indian Ocean.
o
D The 2004 tsunami lasted longer than any other tsunami.
o
25. The author’s purpose in this passage was to __________.
A tell an entertaining story about tsunamis
o
B teach a lesson
o
C compare the Pacific and Indian oceans
o
D give information
o
© 2006 Benchmark Education Company, LLC
Comprehension Strategy Assessment • Grade 4
23