How Earthquakes Happen (Nonfiction Passage)

Start with a minute of talk: What could make the ground shake, and how could a building stay standing? Then have students read the passage on page 1, about 220 words in 5 short paragraphs, pencil in hand. They can underline facts as they go. Students then answer five questions on page 2, three multiple choice and two written. Ask them to cite a detail from the text in each written response. Check the work with the answer key.

How Earthquakes Happen gives 4th grade students a nonfiction passage of about 220 words about how the shifting pieces of Earth's crust cause earthquakes and how buildings are made to survive them, followed by five questions. The questions practice the main idea, vocabulary in context and cause and effect, and the sheet is aligned to Common Core RI.4.2. An answer key is included.

How Earthquakes Happen is a nonfiction passage of about 220 words about how the shifting pieces of Earth's crust cause earthquakes and how buildings are made to survive them. It is written for 4th grade readers (ages 9-10) and has 5 short paragraphs, so students can read it in one sitting.

Its five questions, three multiple choice and two written, practice vocabulary in context, figurative language, the main idea and cause and effect. Questions include "The simile in paragraph 2 compares pressure to a" and "Why do builders use flexible frames where earthquakes are common". The sheet is aligned to Common Core RI.4.2, and the answer key is included so you can check responses quickly.

Try this conversation starter: What could make the ground shake, and how could a building stay standing? Have students look at the title and predict three facts they might learn. Afterward, ask which prediction was closest.

Set aside roughly 20 minutes. Families can use it for a calm reading session, and teachers can use it as homework, a center or a short formative check of the main idea and vocabulary in context.