DIRECTIONS: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow it. Please highlight/underline evidence within the text for each question and put the question number beside all your annotations. Droughts

A drought is characterized by a long period of little or no rainfall, which results in quantities of water insufficient to meet the demands of a region. Droughts occur in two forms: seasonal and contingent. Seasonal droughts are normal annual occurrences in tropical countries in regions of Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa. These areas have both a rainy and a dry season each year. Usually, the residents of these regions build dams to hold water during the rainy season. During the dry season, this collected water is used to irrigate crops and water livestock. Contingent droughts happen when rainfall averages drop for long periods of time. Certain areas, like the northeastern part of the U. S., experience these droughts frequently, but the cause of reduced rainfall remains unknown.

The word “drought” has three different categorical meanings: meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological. Meteorological drought refers to low levels of rainfall. When most people use the word “drought” they are speaking about this type. Agricultural drought refers to and insufficient supply of water for crops. This can happen even when average rainfall occurs because some soil conditions or farming techniques require more water than others. Hydrological drought happens when the water levels in reservoirs and natural bodies of water fall below average.

Droughts can cause environmental, economic, and social problems. Without rain, crops can wither, and livestock can die from dehydration. Without water and food, people starve or have to move to new areas. This can, and has, led to wars and other social problems. After long periods, the land becomes so dry that dust storms form and wildfires spread over the area. One of the most devastating droughts for the U. S. occurred in the 1930s in the Midwest. During this time, the land was so dry that crops could no longer grow, and huge dust storms formed, earning the area the nickname “Dustbowl.”

Questions

2. Which of the following best states the author's purpose?

a. to persuade the reader about the importance of food and water

b. to inform the reader about the differences between seasonal and contingent droughts

c. to inform the reader how people use the word "drought" incorrectly

d. to inform the reader how droughts can affect people's lives

** You must have 2 pieces of evidence to document your answer to #2 **

3. As used in the passage, the word devastating most nearly means

a. crushing.

b. exciting.

c. inconvenient.

d. irritating.

** You must have 2 pieces of evidence to document your answer to #3 **

4. What is the purpose of the second paragraph?

a. It informs the reader how people refer to droughts meteorologically.

b. It informs the reader of the different aspects of drought.

c. It informs the reader how droughts affect only farmers' crops and livestock.

d. It persuades the reader that droughts are only important to historians.

** You must have 3 pieces of evidence to document your answer to #4 **

5. What sentence shows cause and effect? Highlight the cause in your answer choice.

a. Without water and food, people starve or have to move to new areas.

b. The word “drought” has three different categorical meanings: meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological.

c. One of the most devastating droughts for the U. S. occurred in the 1930s in the Midwest.

d. Seasonal droughts are normal annual occurrences in tropical countries in regions of Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

** You must have 3 pieces of evidence to document your answer to #5 **

6. According to the passage, why does a contingent drought happen?

a. Rainfall is higher one year, lower the next.

b. People do not store up adequate water for crops.

c. Contingent droughts do not happen today.

d. No one knows why contingent droughts happen.

Did you highlight evidence in the text for every question?