Earthquake Myths

Earthquakes are explained scientifically as:

• Sudden shaking of the ground caused by volcanic activity or movement along a fault line.

• Gradual movement of tectonic plates without any noticeable shaking.

• Sudden changes in weather patterns causing ground vibrations.

• Movements of ocean currents affecting the earth's crust.

What role do animals play in the earthquake myths discussed in the passage?

• Animals are seen as omens of earthquakes.

• Animals are depicted as creators of earthquakes.

• Animals are considered protectors against earthquakes.

• Animals have no role in earthquake myths.

The turtles started arguing because:

• they were hungry

• they were lost

• they disagreed on the direction

• they were tired

What happened when Thunderbird tried to carry Whale to her nest and needed to rest?

• Thunderbird successfully carried Whale to her nest.

• Thunderbird and Whale fought shaking the ground.

• Whale escaped from Thunderbird's grasp.

• Thunderbird and Whale became friends.

What did Thunderbird do when Whale paused for a breath?

• Thunderbird attacked Whale

• Thunderbird flew away

• Thunderbird sang a song

• Thunderbird did nothing

What does the word tremble mean in the following sentence from paragraph 2?

The myths tell of times when these animals moved or fought, making the earth tremble.

• remain still

• be afraid

• shake

• sink

In paragraph 7, the author says the turtle was true to his word. What does this mean about the turtle?

• A. The turtle swam away and never returned.

• B. The turtle did what he said he would do.

• C. The turtle told the truth to the Great Spirit.

• D. The turtle didn’t listen to the Great Spirit.

How was the turtle true to his word?

• The response is incorrect. The response is not based on the text. No response is provided.

• Student writing demonstrates inconsistent command of grade-level appropriate conventions. The response has several errors, but the reader can understand the writer’s thoughts.

• A complete response will provide a correct answer, evidence is accurately used to support the response, and the response and the evidence to support it are based on the text.

Why did the Great Spirit tell the turtles not to move?

• If the turtles moved, they would destroy the land the Great Spirit created.

• If the turtles moved, they would get angry.

• If the turtles moved, their legs would get stiff and their minds would get bored.

• If the turtles moved, they would help the Great Spirit create land.

What causes earthquakes according to this Gabrielino Indian myth?

• The Great Spirit creates land on turtle shells.

• The turtles start moving in different directions.

• The Great Spirit tells the turtles not to move.

• The turtles agree on which direction to swim in.