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Inside a Volcano

5th grade reading

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Inside a Volcano

Deep beneath our feet, the Earth is extremely hot – hot enough to melt rock. This melted rock is called magma. Because magma is lighter than the solid rock around it, it slowly rises upward. Sometimes it collects in a huge underground pool called a magma chamber. A volcano forms where magma finds a way to the surface. When the pressure in the magma chamber becomes too great, the magma bursts out through cracks or vents. Once it reaches the surface, it is called lava. Over time, layers of cooled lava and ash can build up to form a mountain. Most volcanoes are found near the edges of tectonic plates, the giant slabs of rock that make up the Earth's outer layer. More than half of the world's active volcanoes surround the Pacific Ocean, in a horseshoe-shaped zone known as the Ring of Fire. Scientists sort volcanoes into three groups. Active volcanoes have erupted recently and could erupt again. Dormant volcanoes have not erupted for a very long time but might wake up in the future. Extinct volcanoes are not expected to erupt ever again. Although eruptions can be deadly, volcanoes also bring benefits. Volcanic ash breaks down into rich soil, which is why many farms are found on the slopes of old volcanoes. In some countries, such as Iceland, the heat from underground is used to warm homes and produce electricity.

  1. Question 1

    Read "Inside a Volcano". What is the difference between magma and lava?

    • A. Magma is underground; lava has reached the surface.
    • B. Lava is underground; magma is on the surface.
    • C. They are two different kinds of ash.
    • D. Magma is cold; lava is hot.

  2. Question 2

    Read "Inside a Volcano". What is the Ring of Fire?

    • A. a zone of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean
    • B. a ring of lava around a crater
    • C. a volcano in Iceland
    • D. the hottest layer of the Earth

  3. Question 3

    Read "Inside a Volcano". A volcano has not erupted for a very long time but might erupt again. What kind is it?

    • A. active
    • B. tectonic
    • C. extinct
    • D. dormant

  4. Question 4

    Read "Inside a Volcano". How is paragraph 4 organised?

    • A. It tells events in time order.
    • B. It classifies volcanoes into groups.
    • C. It argues for one opinion.
    • D. It describes a problem and its solution.

  5. Question 5

    Read "Inside a Volcano". Why are many farms found on old volcanoes?

    • A. Volcanic ash makes rich soil.
    • B. Lava waters the crops.
    • C. The land is always warm.
    • D. There are no other places to farm.

  6. Question 6

    Read "Inside a Volcano". Which is the best summary of the text?

    • A. It explains how to climb a volcano safely.
    • B. It explains how volcanoes form, where they are found, how they are classified and how they affect people.
    • C. It tells the story of a famous eruption.
    • D. It argues that volcanoes should be studied more.

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Answer key: Inside a Volcano

  1. 1. A. Magma is underground; lava has reached the surface.

    • The words around an unfamiliar word help show its meaning.
    • Paragraph 2: once magma reaches the surface, it is called lava.
    • So the answer is: Magma is underground; lava has reached the surface.

  2. 2. A. a zone of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean

    • The answer is stated directly in the text.
    • Paragraph 3 describes it as a horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific.
    • So the answer is: a zone of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean

  3. 3. D. dormant

    • The answer is stated directly in the text.
    • Paragraph 4 defines dormant volcanoes this way.
    • So the answer is: dormant

  4. 4. B. It classifies volcanoes into groups.

    • Text structure is how a writer organises ideas.
    • It sorts volcanoes into active, dormant and extinct.
    • So the answer is: It classifies volcanoes into groups.

  5. 5. A. Volcanic ash makes rich soil.

    • An inference combines clues in the text with what you know.
    • Paragraph 5: ash breaks down into rich soil.
    • So the answer is: Volcanic ash makes rich soil.

  6. 6. B. It explains how volcanoes form, where they are found, how they are classified and how they affect people.

    • The main idea covers the whole text; details only cover a part.
    • The text covers formation, location, types and effects.
    • So the answer is: It explains how volcanoes form, where they are found, how they are classified and how they affect people.