3rd Grade Science : Reduction of Weather-Related Hazards
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Reduction Of Weather Related Hazards
Sharon and Mike are building a new home on a piece of land they just bought. It is located next to a large river in an area that floods several times a year. The flooding is caused by heavy rain or melting snow upstream. When the floodwaters rise, the owners are unable to enter the home. They have come home and had to walk through water to get into the house. If the water enters the house, it damages not only their things but the structure of the house, and it all must be replaced.
What is the weather-related hazard that Sharon and Mike face?
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Flooding
Mudslides
Flooding
Sharon and Mike are in a tough situation because of flooding. This weather-related hazard can happen very quickly and cause severe damage to property and even injuries or casualties. As the river overflows, the water runs into the nearby communities, and homeowners are at risk of losing everything.
Example Question #2 : Reduction Of Weather Related Hazards
Sharon and Mike are building a new home on a piece of land they just bought. It is located next to a large river in an area that floods several times a year. The flooding is caused by heavy rain or melting snow upstream. When the floodwaters rise, the owners are unable to enter the home. They have come home and had to walk through water to get into the house. If the water enters the house, it damages not only their things but the structure of the house, and it all must be replaced.
Sharon and Mike don’t want to move somewhere else. They hire a team of builders and give them the following requests: the house must remain safe and dry, they want to be able to enter if the water is high, and they want to be able to see the river from their home.
Which solution would meet their criteria?
There is no solution, Sharon and Mike must move.
Build the house further inland, so there is less flooding
Build the house on stilts
Build a third floor to the house
Build the house on stilts
The criteria that Sharon and Mike set was specific ad needs to be followed when designing a solution. Moving the house further inland or not building at all are two solutions that do not meet the criteria. Making a third level would help with the views and keeping them on the property, but it would not address the flooding. Building the house on stilts would be a solution that meets all of their needs.
Example Question #3 : Reduction Of Weather Related Hazards
Albert's class is working on a project to reduce the impacts of weather on a house. They each have to build their home, and it has to withstand a flood. Students design solutions that will help reduce the damage to the house.
Which solution is the most reasonable to reduce damage to the house?
Dig large holes all around the house the catch water
Build a barrier around the home to stop the water
Instead of a one-story house, build a two-story house
Build curved walls, so the water rolls off the house
Build a barrier around the home to stop the water
The most reasonable solution that was presented is to build a barrier around the home to stop the water. Curved walls are not practical, making a second-story may keep things dry on that level, but the first-floor and base of the structure would still be damaged, and late holes in the ground are not reasonable.
Example Question #4 : Reduction Of Weather Related Hazards
Ami's teacher has challenged the class to build a structure that can withstand an earthquake simulation. The teacher is going to shake the structure for 20 seconds and see which is still standing afterward. The groups are arguing about which part of the building should be the strongest.
Which group's solution is most likely to withstand the earthquake simulation?
Group 3: This group focuses on the foundation of the building. They believe if the base of the home is strong the remainder of the building will be too.
Group 4: This group is focused on landscaping. They believe if the tree roots are healthy, they will hold the soil together and stop the earthquake.
Group 2: This group is focused on strong walls. They believe that if the walls are strong there will be less damage to the entire house.
Group 1: This group focuses on a sturdy roof. They do not want high winds or the shaking to damage the roof.
Group 3: This group focuses on the foundation of the building. They believe if the base of the home is strong the remainder of the building will be too.
Earthquakes are a significant weather-related hazard that are difficult to predict. Buildings in earthquake-prone areas must be constructed with stability in mind. All parts of the house are important and need to be built with high quality, but "Group 3" is focused on the foundation, which is critical. If the base of the building is strong and stable, there is less of a chance that the rest of the building will fall.
Example Question #5 : Reduction Of Weather Related Hazards
Which of the following answer choices is a weather-related hazard?
Flooding
Hurricanes
Lightning
All answer choices are weather-related hazards.
All answer choices are weather-related hazards.
Weather-related hazards are numerous. Hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, flooding, and mudslides are just a few. They can be dangerous and deadly to Earth, people, and property.
Example Question #6 : Make A Claim About A Solution To Reduce Impacts Of Weather
Sharon and Mike are building a new home on a piece of land they just bought. It is located next to a large river in an area that floods several times a year. The flooding is caused by heavy rain or melting snow upstream. When the floodwaters rise, the owners are unable to enter the home. They have come home and had to walk through water to get into the house. If the water enters the house, it damages not only their things but the structure of the house, and it all must be replaced.
What type of weather-related hazard could increase the likelihood of flooding?
A duststorm
A hurricane
A wildfire
None of the answer choices are correct
All of the answer choices are correct
A hurricane
Sharon and Mike are in a tough situation because of flooding. This weather-related hazard can happen very quickly and cause severe damage to property and even injuries or casualties. As the river overflows, the water runs into the nearby communities, and homeowners are at risk of losing everything.
Experiencing a hurricane would increase the likelihood of flooding due to the massive amounts of rain the storms can bring to an area. A typical hurricane brings six to twelve inches of rain, and this could be very dangerous for areas prone to flooding.
Example Question #6 : Reduction Of Weather Related Hazards
Albert's class is working on a project to reduce the impacts of weather on a house. They each have to build their home, and it has to withstand a tornado. Students design solutions that will help reduce the damage to the house.
Which solution is the most reasonable to reduce damage to the house?
Install strong garage doors
Strengthen windows and doors
All of the answer choices are correct
Make repairs to roofs before tornado season
None of the answer choices are correct
All of the answer choices are correct
Tornados are very destructive weather-related hazards. Their impacts on homes and lives can cause significant problems, damage, and even death. It can be hard to predict tornadoes, so preparation beforehand is essential, especially if one lives in an area prone to frequent storms. Strengthening windows and doors, as well as garage doors, can help create a more reliable barrier against high winds and the pressure that is created during a storm. If there is existing damage to roofs, it is best to repair it before storm season to create a strong structure and reduce the chance of further destruction.
Example Question #4 : Reduction Of Weather Related Hazards
Kaci's teacher has challenged the class to build a structure that can withstand a(n) _____________ simulation. The teacher is going to blow a fan towards it at high speeds. The structure is on a spinning platform, and students will spin it for about ten minutes.
What type of weather hazard is being described?
tornado
hurricane
wildfire
flood
tornado
In the description of Kaci's weather simulation, the class is being asked to create a structure that can withstand a tornado simulation. High winds that move in a circular pattern are characteristic of a tornado. Hurricanes and flooding require large amounts of water, and no water is mentioned in the question. A wildfire would not fit the description of the simulation.
Example Question #7 : Reduction Of Weather Related Hazards
Which of the following answer choices is NOT a reasonable solution to reduce the impact of wildfires?
None of the answer choices are correct
Controlled burns to clear out debris
Fine people who throw cigarettes out of car windows
All of the answer choices are correct
Raking up dead leaves and brush from forest floors
None of the answer choices are correct
Wildfires destroy millions of acres of forest each year across the globe. There are many reasonable solutions to help reduce the damage and devastation. Firefighters can hold controlled burns in areas with dry, aged debris that is likely to spark and catch fire. Raking up dead leaves and brush from the forest floor can help remove the kindling that causes many wildfires. Many fires are started accidentally by people throwing cigarette butts out their car windows. If there were fines in place for these behaviors, it might reduce the number of fires started. All of the answer choices are reasonable solutions.
Example Question #6 : Make A Claim About A Solution To Reduce Impacts Of Weather
Severe weather can have negative impacts on the people and communities it passes through. Anaya's class is trying to come up with a solution to reduce that impact from hurricanes. They decide that replacing regular windows with windows that are more resistant to strong-winds and impact-proof would be an excellent way to minimize damage and injuries during the storm. Each student has to give their thoughts about the solution.
Which student's claim below is a reasonable explanation of why strong-wind resistant and impact-proof windows would help?
Sadie - "I agree with replacing windows to reduce danger and injuries. People are scared of hurricanes, so new windows will give them a better view of the storm."
Anaya - "I agree with replacing windows to reduce danger and injuries. Hurricanes have high winds, and strengthening the windows will protect families from debris and damage."
There is no way to tell if this is a good idea or not.
Robby - "I agree with the solution to replace the windows. I think that hurricanes rain a lot, so new windows would help keep the house dry."
Anaya - "I agree with replacing windows to reduce danger and injuries. Hurricanes have high winds, and strengthening the windows will protect families from debris and damage."
Hurricanes are intense tropical storms that bring high winds and rain. Many times there is debris that flies through the air or tree limbs fall. Windows that are more resistant to strong-winds and impact-proof would protect people from debris that is in the air and winds, which can reach speeds of 160 mph or higher. If windows stay intact, there will be less damage to the interior of homes and less risk of injury to the residents.
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