Natural Disaster Solutions · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Comparing Ways to Stay Safe

Science · Volcanoes & Earthquakes · ages 9-10
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. Which solution helps protect buildings during an earthquake?

    • Earthquake-resistant building design
    • Painting the walls a bright color
    • Planting flowers around the building

  2. Which of these is a natural hazard that can hurt people and damage buildings?

    • Earthquake
    • Birthday party
    • Grocery shopping

  3. A flood barrier is one possible solution for reducing flood damage.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Look at the chart. Which flood solution costs the most money?

    Sandbags2Warningsystem5Concretewall9
    • Sandbags
    • Warning system
    • Concrete wall

  5. A town near a volcano wants to keep people safe before an eruption. Which solution would help the most?

    • An early warning system that tells people when to evacuate
    • A taller playground slide
    • A new paint color for houses

  6. The cheapest solution to a natural hazard is always the best choice.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. The chart shows the cost value of sandbags and a warning system. If a town uses both solutions together, what is the total cost value?

    Sandbags2Warningsystem5

    Answer: ______________

  8. Town A picks the cheapest earthquake solution without checking if it protects buildings well. Town B checks both cost and effectiveness before deciding. Which town is comparing solutions the right way?

    • Town A
    • Town B
    • Both towns did the same thing
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_cpDpjJaE5u-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Comparing Ways to Stay Safe W1-mt_cpDpjJaE5u-s1

  1. Earthquake-resistant building design · Buildings built with earthquake-resistant design can bend and sway instead of falling down.
  2. Earthquake · An earthquake is a natural hazard. It can shake buildings hard enough to crack or collapse them.
  3. True · Flood barriers, like walls or sandbags, keep rising water away from homes.
  4. Concrete wall · The concrete wall has the tallest bar, so it costs the most.
  5. An early warning system that tells people when to evacuate · An early warning system gives people time to leave before lava or ash reaches them.
  6. False · A cheap solution that does not work well can still leave people in danger. Cost is only one thing to compare.
  7. 7 · Add the two cost values together: 2 plus 5 equals 7.
  8. Town B · Comparing more than one measure, like cost and effectiveness together, leads to a safer decision.
Worksheet · LightMySky