Question

the following question has two parts. answer part a first, and then part b.

part a what is the meaning of magnitude as it is used in this excerpt from \seven steps to surviving a disaster\?

the 2010 earthquake in haiti, with a magnitude of 7.0, killed more than 220,000 people. just a month later, the much stronger earthquake in chile, magnitude 8.8, caused only about 500 deaths.

a. a number identifying location
b. a measurement of power
c. a measurement of fatalities
d. a number identifying date or time

part b which word group from the excerpt best supports the answer to part a?

a. the 2010 earthquake in haiti
b. just a month later
c. the much stronger earthquake in chile
d. caused only about 500 deaths.

Explanation:

Analyze the context for Part A

Using the Vocabulary in Context knowledge point, we examine how "magnitude" is used in the excerpt. The text mentions "a magnitude of 7.0" and "magnitude 8.8" to describe earthquakes. It contrasts a 7.0 earthquake with a "much stronger earthquake" of magnitude 8.8. This comparison directly links the numerical value of magnitude to the strength or power of the earthquake. Therefore, "magnitude" refers to a measurement of power.

Evaluate Part A options

• Option A ("a number identifying location") is incorrect because the locations are already named ("Haiti" and "Chile").
• Option B ("a measurement of power") is correct because the text associates a higher magnitude (8.8 vs 7.0) with being "much stronger."
• Option C ("a measurement of fatalities") is incorrect because fatalities are listed separately ("killed more than 220,000 people" and "caused only about 500 deaths").
• Option D ("a number identifying date or time") is incorrect because dates are mentioned separately ("2010" and "Just a month later").

Identify supporting evidence for Part B

Using the Textual Evidence knowledge point, we look for the phrase that directly supports the idea that magnitude measures power. The excerpt describes the 8.8 magnitude earthquake as "the much stronger earthquake in Chile." The word "stronger" directly relates to physical power or intensity, confirming that the numerical magnitude scale measures the earthquake's power.

Evaluate Part B options

• Option A ("The 2010 earthquake in Haiti") only establishes the subject and year.
• Option B ("Just a month later") only establishes the time elapsed.
• Option C ("the much stronger earthquake in Chile") is correct because "stronger" directly supports "measurement of power."
• Option D ("caused only about 500 deaths") describes the impact/fatalities, not the physical power itself.

Answer:

Question 1

• A. a number identifying location
• B. a measurement of power (Correct answer)
• C. a measurement of fatalities
• D. a number identifying date or time

Question 2

• A. The 2010 earthquake in Haiti
• B. Just a month later
• C. the much stronger earthquake in Chile (Correct answer)
• D. caused only about 500 deaths.