UNIVERSITY OF THE AUTONOMOUS REGIONS
OF THE NICARAGUAN CARIBBEAN COAST, CUR NUEVA GUINEA
Basic Writing II
Name______________________________ Date_________
Writing Summaries Exercises
Exercise 1: Tornadoes
Passage
Tornadoes are violent, rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground.
They are often referred to as twisters due to their spiraling motion. Tornadoes can form in many
parts of the world, but they are most common in the United States, particularly in an area known
as Tornado Alley, which includes parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. These storms are
fueled by warm, moist air near the ground and cooler, drier air higher in the atmosphere.
Tornadoes can have wind speeds ranging from 65 to over 200 miles per hour, causing significant
destruction. The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale) is used to classify tornadoes based on their wind
speed and damage. Most tornadoes last only a few minutes, but some can persist for over an hour,
traveling dozens of miles. Their narrow path of destruction can demolish buildings, uproot trees,
and toss vehicles.
Summary
Exercise 2: Earthquakes
Passage
Earthquakes are sudden movements of the Earth’s crust caused by the release of stress
accumulated along faults or tectonic plate boundaries. These movements create seismic waves
that shake the ground, sometimes causing widespread damage. Earthquakes occur most
frequently along plate boundaries, such as the Pacific Ring of Fire, which encircles the Pacific
Ocean. The strength of an earthquake is measured using the Richter scale or the moment
magnitude scale, with higher numbers indicating greater intensity. Most earthquakes are minor,
with only a small percentage causing significant harm. However, major earthquakes can trigger
landslides, tsunamis, and building collapses. The point where the earthquake originates beneath
the Earth’s surface is called the focus, and the point directly above it on the surface is the
epicenter. Aftershocks, smaller tremors, often follow the main quake, adding to the disruption.
Summary
Exercise 3: Volcanic Eruptions
Passage
Volcanic eruptions occur when molten rock, ash, and gases escape from openings in the Earth’s
crust, known as volcanoes. These events are driven by pressure from magma chambers beneath
the surface. Volcanoes are found in regions with tectonic activity, such as along plate boundaries or
at hotspots like the Hawaiian Islands. Eruptions can vary from gentle lava flows to explosive events
that eject ash and debris into the atmosphere, sometimes affecting global climate. Pyroclastic
flows, fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic material, are among the most dangerous
aspects of eruptions. The Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) measures eruption intensity. Eruptions
can cause widespread destruction, disrupt air travel, and alter landscapes. Some volcanoes, like
stratovolcanoes, have steep slopes, while others, like shield volcanoes, have gentler profiles due to
fluid lava.
Summary
