Comprehension Skills: 40 Short Passages for Close Reading: Grade 5 ... - Free Printable

Passage: Violent Storms

Watch out for cyclones! These violent tropical storms can cause enormous _______. Other names for cyclones are hurricanes and typhoons. They usually begin in areas of low pressure near the equator where the sea is especially warm. Warm air rushes toward these areas and swirls upward in circles over the sea. Within the center of this spinning mass is the eye of the storm. Around the eye, rage fierce winds and torrential rains. When cyclones hit land, they can flatten buildings, rip off roofs, and wash away roads.

---

Questions and Solutions:

#### 1. The best word for the blank in this paragraph is
The sentence reads: "These violent tropical storms can cause enormous _______."

- A. wonder: This does not fit because violent storms do not typically cause wonder.
- B. moisture: While storms bring rain, the context suggests a more severe impact than just moisture.
- C. destruction: This fits well because violent storms like cyclones are known to cause significant damage and destruction.
- D. deafening: This refers to loud noise, which is not the primary effect being described here.

Correct Answer: C. destruction

---

#### 2. From this paragraph, you can conclude that people
The passage warns readers to "Watch out for cyclones!" and describes their destructive effects. This implies that people should be prepared for such storms.

- A. like to watch cyclones: This is unlikely given the warning tone of the passage.
- B. try to prevent cyclones: Cyclones are natural phenomena and cannot be prevented.
- C. try to prepare for cyclones: This aligns with the warning to "watch out" and the description of their destructive effects.
- D. can't wait for cyclones: This is incorrect as cyclones are dangerous and harmful.

Correct Answer: C. try to prepare for cyclones

---

#### 3. A title that best summarizes this paragraph is
The paragraph focuses on explaining what cyclones are, how they form, and their destructive effects.

- A. Here Come the Hurricanes: While hurricanes are mentioned, the title is too specific and doesn't capture the broader focus on cyclones.
- B. Learning About Cyclones: This accurately reflects the content of the paragraph, which provides information about cyclones.
- C. Watch Out for Damage: While the paragraph mentions damage, the title is too narrow and doesn't encompass the entire topic.
- D. The Eye of the Storm: This is too specific and only addresses one aspect of the paragraph.

Correct Answer: B. Learning About Cyclones

---

#### 4. In this paragraph, the word *torrential* must mean
The sentence reads: "Around the eye, rage fierce winds and torrential rains."

- A. soft and gentle: This contradicts the context of "fierce winds."
- B. slow and steady: This does not fit the intensity implied by "fierce winds."
- C. very heavy: This aligns with the idea of intense, heavy rainfall associated with cyclones.
- D. really warm: This is unrelated to the context of rainfall.

Correct Answer: C. very heavy

---

Final Answers:

1. C. destruction
2. C. try to prepare for cyclones
3. B. Learning About Cyclones
4. C. very heavy

Boxed Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{C, C, B, C}
\]