Avalanche!

Author: Christopher Mitten

Lexile: 440

1. Anna was able to keep warm because she

A. was covered with mattresses.
B. could crawl for a few minutes each day.
C. kept her bedroll next to her body.
D. was wearing a jacket and snow pants.

2. An avalanche controller
A. uses many bombs throughout the year.
B. sets deep stakes along mountain trails.
C. builds sturdy fencing along paths.
D. describes the avalanche as it happens.

3. Forecasting is difficult because

A. detection tools don't exist.
B. conditions change constantly.
C. training schools are difficult to find.
D. some mountain areas are volcanic.

4. Most people caught in avalanches

A. panic and make bad decisions.
B. die from a broken neck or back.
C. suffocate to death.
D. are thrown from cliffs.

5. Deadly avalanches often

A. move at more than 200 miles an hour.
B. may cut through the earth's crust.
C. occur where people light campfires.
D. break power and sewer lines.
 6. Avalanche controllers
A. work from small mountain huts.
B. rely on skiers to gather reports.
C. can stop an avalanche within a minute.
D. do much of their work from helicopters.

7. To predict avalanches, forecasters

A. gather information from skiers.
B. drill holes deep into mountain rock.
C. look for bubbles or dips in snow.
D. watch weather charts and dig.

8. When a weak layer of mountain snow is disturbed,

A. blocks of ice form underneath it.
B. ice shelves are quickly created.
C. layers on top of it begin to move.
D. rocks below the mountain can shift.

9. Small avalanches are purposely started because they

A. provide practice for forecasters.
B. are used to train rescue teams.
C. can prevent larger ones.
D. test new prevention tools.

10. Sometimes, avalanches can

A. be felt hundreds of miles away.
B. occur with new snow.
C. create new hills and lakes.
D. crack mountain walls.

11. Avalanche victims

A. typically die within minutes.
B. are rarely found.
C. should try to turn upside down.
D. should stay in a ball.
12. Avalanche deaths are on the rise because people
A. drive powerful snowmobiles into backcountry.
B. spend time in the wilderness with few survival skills.
C. deliberately stand in the paths of avalanches.
D. ski on isolated slopes without guides.

13. This book was written by

A. Sandra Markle.
B. William Kaplan.
C. Christopher Mitten.
D. Ann McGovern.

14. Because a quick rescue can save frostbitten limbs,

A. helicopters are critically important.
B. avalanche areas are filled with tunnels.
C. ski lodges hold yearly rescue competitions.
D. rescue workers are trained marathon runners.

15. Avalanches can be

A. helpful in clearing areas of dead trees.
B. caused by heavy snow or extreme temperatures.
C. beautiful when viewed from a distance.
D. caused by many houses or ski resorts in one area.

16. Where was Anna when rescuers found her?

A. She was in the top of a tree.
B. She was pinned under lockers.
C. She was inside a car.
D. She was inside a wicker basket.

17. Anna _____ after being rescued.

A. had no physical problems
B. suffered a stroke
C. lost some of her right leg
D. could no longer see colors
18. How did rescuers find Anna?
A. They used metal detectors.
B. They listened for breathing.
C. They melted patches of snow.
D. They used trained dogs.

19. Controllers spend most of their time in areas where people live because wilderness avalanches
A. are far more dangerous.
B. can be left alone.
C. rarely take place.
D. can be easily stopped.

20. After an avalanche, the snow that has fallen

A. is cut into ice blocks.
B. hardens like cement.
C. forms deep holes.
D. becomes easy to mold.

21. Skiers who _____ have a good chance of being rescued.

A. wear snow-gripping boots
B. keep flares and food with them
C. are well-trained in self-protection
D. wear radio-signal devices

22. By _____, avalanches can knock down buildings.

A. pulling off their bricks
B. pushing tons of packed garbage
C. moving the ground below them
D. causing huge air blasts

23. The job of an avalanche forecaster is

A. to keep track of traveling tourists.
B. to see if mountains are sinking.
C. to look for clues during winter.
D. to measure faults using yardsticks.
24. One job of forecasters is
A. to provide flare guns to resorts.
B. to work with park officials.
C. to make changes in the laws.
D. to educate people.

25. After it hits, an avalanche

A. changes the temperature for days.
B. becomes similar to a crime scene.
C. begins to melt away.
D. becomes a new ski run.

26. Lives can be saved if people

A. have information about snow conditions.
B. remain calm and carry an ice pick.
C. stop building ski resorts in the Rockies.
D. link arms with a buddy and slide.

27. Weak layers of snow

A. break and slide down mountains.
B. pack themselves into balls.
C. form air pockets on mountainsides.
D. melt and freeze over.

28. What was Anna doing when the avalanche hit?

A. She was skiing in a competition.
B. She was snowmobiling with a friend.
C. She was reading in her log cabin.
D. She was working at a ski resort.

29. Some avalanches

A. have as much force as hundreds of pounds of dynamite.
B. have caused earthquakes under snow-covered mountains.
C. start and stop over the course of winter.
D. can be surfed like ocean waves.
30. Some people
A. look for avalanches to watch.
B. fly over avalanches to study them.
C. ignore avalanche warning ropes and signs.
D. like to see if they can ride an avalanche.
Answer Key

1 .D 2 .A 3 .B 4 .C 5 .A

6 .D 7 .D 8 .C 9 .C 10 .B

11 .A 12 .A 13 .C 14 .A 15 .B

16 .B 17 .C 18 .D 19 .B 20 .B

21 .D 22 .D 23 .C 24 .D 25 .B

26 .A 27 .A 28 .D 29 .A 30 .C