SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Grade 03 Unit 02 Assessment A
Informational Reading
Standards: RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.7
Name:
_____________________________________________ Date:__________________________
Standards: RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.7
Directions: Read “Tornadoes!” As you read, use your non-fiction reading
strategies to look for what the author is trying to teach you. Answer the
questions.
Tornadoes!
Nature’s Danger
Have you ever gotten caught in a bad storm? It can be very scary! Bad storms
might have powerful winds, heavy rain, or blinding snow. One of the most
dangerous storms of all is a tornado. These tornadoes cause about 80 deaths
and 1,500 injuries a year.
What Is a Tornado?
Tornadoes often look like funnel-shaped clouds. They are wide at the top and
thin at the bottom. The truth is that tornadoes are not really clouds. Tornadoes
are a column of air between a strong thunderstorm and the ground. During a
tornado, this column of air spins around, faster and faster. It spins so quickly
and strongly that it can pick up and destroy almost anything in its path.
As the tornado moves across the land, it creates a path of damage that can be
more than one mile wide and 50 miles long. The weakest tornadoes might last
from one to ten minutes. The strongest tornadoes can last for more than an
hour.
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ELA Gr03 U02 AA Level A
1. This photograph supports the text. Use 3 details from the text and what you
see in the photograph to write what have you learned about tornadoes so far.
(RI.3.1, RI.3.7)
Please record your answers in your answer booklet.
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ELA Gr03 U02 AA Level A
Continue reading.
What’s Dangerous about Tornadoes?
Most tornadoes are invisible until their strong winds pick up and carry dirt,
dust, and garbage. These strong winds are what make tornadoes so
dangerous. The wind speeds in the worst tornadoes can be 250 miles per
hour. These winds act like a vacuum, pulling things off the ground.
The powerful, spinning winds inside the funnel cloud can tear apart houses, lift
up cars, and uproot trees. People can get hurt by tornadoes because they are
tossed around in the wind or hit by flying glass or garbage.
Thunderstorms during a tornado can also be dangerous. They can cause floods
and lightning. Hail and balls of ice can also fall during a powerful tornado and
thunderstorm. This can cause damage to property and crops. The size of
hailstones can range from the size of an apple seed to the size of a whole
grapefruit!
2. Why are tornadoes considered dangerous storms? In your answer, restate
the question and use three details from the text to explain your answer.
(RI.3.1)
Please record your answers in your answer booklet.
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ELA Gr03 U02 AA Level A
Continue reading
Stay Safe During a Tornado!
If a tornado is in your area, there are things you can do to stay safe. Stay out
of cars. The strong winds of a tornado can lift a car right off the ground.
Tornado winds can be faster than any car, even a race car! Find a strong
shelter, such as a basement or cellar. If there are no underground shelters,
find a room inside and on the bottom floor. Hide under a strong piece of
furniture to protect yourself. Stay away from windows. Tornadoes can blow
out windows, and the flying glass is very dangerous. Although tornadoes are
rare, they can happen anywhere and anytime.
3. What is the main idea of the section titled “Stay Safe During a Tornado?”
Write the main idea and include three supporting details to help teach that
idea. (RI.3.2,RI.3.1)
Please record your answers in your answer booklet.
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ELA Gr03 U02 AA Level A
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ELA Gr03 U02 AA Level A