READING COMPREHENSION - 1 History of the Earth

The history of the earth stretches over billions of years. In that time period, a lot has changed. Water,

wind and ice slowly shape the surface of the earth, constantly moving all around us. Activity just

beneath the surface of the earth’s crust creates rapid changes in the shape of the land—that’s where

we get volcanoes, landslides and earthquakes. Glaciers, which are huge, very old formations made

out of water, earth and ice, can even change the size and shape of the oceans. These major shifts

take place over millions of years. We can see the results, but apart from measuring them and seeing

where growth or change took place, we can’t observe these changes as they occur. They simply

happen too slowly.

Erosion is an example of a slow process that changes the surface of the earth. Think of a windy

beach, how sand from the beach is carried toward the dunes or, depending on the behaviour of the

wind, how the sand from the dunes is carried further down the beach. We can see and feel the sand

moving over the land and through the air, but the long-term effects of that movement won’t be

visible for years. The earth’s surface is also made up of very slowly moving parts, called tectonic

plates. These plates fit like puzzle pieces and make up the outermost layer of the planet. When this

layer moves around, it can cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It’s very easy to spot these

changes as they’re happening! In fact, we have to be very careful and prepare for them in advance,

and take safety measures before and after they occur.

1.) Some of earth’s changes take place too slowly for people to notice them happening. What evidence from the passage supports this statement?

a) Changes like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are not everyday events, but they are easy to spot when they are happening.

b) People notice changes glaciers have made to the size and shape of earth’s oceans after the changes have taken place.

c) Earth’s history goes back billions of years, and a lot of changes, both fast and slow, have taken place over that period of time.

d) People sometimes influence earth’s natural processes on purpose by speeding them up, slowing them down, or manipulating them in other ways.

2.) Two effects mentioned in this passage are earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. What is their cause?

a) wind that blows sand from one place to another

b) water dripping from one surface onto another

c) the construction of houses, movie theaters, and bridges

d) the movement of the earth’s outermost layer​