El Niño Basic Reading Comprehension Activity


Rationale/Objectives/Purpose:
To provide practice with feedback in science-related reading comprehension.
Time Required:
Teacher prep and grading: 10 minutes
Student: 15 minutes
Safety Issues:
None.
Materials:
Duplicated activity sheets.
Procedures:
Teacher: Select and copy the following readings and questions.
Students: Read the material then answer the questions.
Reading
El Niño-The Basics:

 
El Niño is a natural climate cycle that occurs every 2 to 7 years in the Pacific Ocean. During an El Niño year, the waters are warmer than usual in the Pacific near South America. Warm water evaporates easily causing more rainfall in some areas.

 
The warmer water also affects fishing. Fewer fish are caught during El Niño because the colder water, which is filled with nutrients, cannot reach the surface waters.  As a result, the fish do not have as much food available to them.  Those fish searching for food leave to find colder, more nutrient-rich water.  The end result?  Fewer fish near South America where the effects of El Niño are more readily recognized and studied.

 
Furthermore, some people wonder if humans have caused El Niño to be more severe. This question is subject to debate.  One thing we can say with confidence is that if we keep learning about this phenomenon and refine our ways of predicting it, we can help humans better prepare for it.
Assessment:
El Niño- Questions
  1. In which ocean does El Niño occur?

    2. A. Atlantic Ocean
    B. Pacific Ocean
    C. Indian Ocean
    D. Arctic Ocean
    E. All oceans
  2. During an El Niño event, do the surface waters near South America get warmer or colder?

    3. A. Warmer
    B. Colder
    C. Warmer then colder
    D. Colder then warmer
  3. Why is there more rain in some areas during an El Niño event?

    4. A. Warm water evaporates easier.
    B. Man seeds more clouds.
    C. No one knows.
  4. Explain how the El Niño event affects fishing.

    5. A. Fishing is better.
    B. Fishing is worse.
    C. Fishing is not affected.
    D. Larger fish are caught.
  5. Write a letter to a newspaper editor explaining why we should continue studying El Niño events.
Teacher Background/Extensions:
Article in Interactive Teacher magazine.