English Text Analysis Worksheet (Page 3 of 3) in pdf

considered severe if winds reach over 50 knots (58 mph or 93 km/h), hail is ¾ inch

(2 cm) diameter or larger, or if funnel clouds and/or tornadoes are reported. In the

Central Region of the United States National Weather Service, the hail threshold for a

severe thunderstorm is not until it is 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter. Though a funnel

cloud or tornado indicates the presence of a severe thunderstorm, a tornado warning

would then be issued in place of a severe thunderstorm warning.

In Canada, a severe thunderstorm is defined as either having tornadoes, wind gusts

of 90 km/h or greater, hail of 2 centimeters in diameter or greater, a rainfall rate

greater than 50 millimeters in 1 hour, or 75 millimeters in 3 hours.

Severe thunderstorms can occur from any type of thunderstorm, however multi cell

and squall lines represent the most common forms. Super cells are often the most

powerful type of severe thunderstorm.

8. What is the purpose of paragraph D?

A: How to identify when a thunderstorm can turn into a tornado.

B: Who will issue storm warnings, and when these warnings should be issued.

C: To show what strength a thunderstorm must be to be considered severe.

D: To discuss why super cell thunderstorms are so dangerous and how to identify

these storms.

9. It is possible to infer from passage one that:

A: Thunderstorms end with the cumulus stage, and this is the most violent part of

these storms.

B: Thunderstorms can include lightning and tornadoes, as well as violent winds and

large hail.

C: If a thunderstorm and a tornado are both spotted, a severe storm warning will be

issued immediately.

D: Canada has a much different alert system for severe storms, with criteria that is

far less.

Answer key:

1. A: Lightning is caused by an electrical discharge in the clouds when static

electricity builds up.

2. C: A ninety percent chance of surviving the strike without permanent injury.

3. A: Static electricity generated by cool water droplets and ice crystals colliding in

the clouds.

4. B: All thunderstorms will go through three stages.

5. D: Condensation.

6. C: The beginning of the thunderstorm is called the cumulus stage.

7. D: Heat which is latent, and is caused by water vapor that is condensing into a

liquid form.

8. C: To show what strength a thunderstorm must be to be considered severe.

9. B: Thunderstorms can include lightning and tornadoes, as well as violent winds

and large hail.

English Text Analysis Worksheet Page 3