Alvarado School, April 2006Name:____________________________Try online version

Earthquake Quiz

Circle the letter of the right answer.


1. When was the great San Francisco earthquake?

A. 1870
B. 1900
C. 1906
D. 1950

2. How many people were killed?

A. about 10
B. about 100
C. about 3,000 to 6,000
D. about 1 million

3. What caused the most damage to San Francisco then?

A. the earthquake
B. the fire
C. holes in the ground
D. floods

4. Why didn't the firemen put out the fire after the earthquake?

A. There weren't enough firemen .
B. Everyone ran away.
C. The fire hydrants didn't work.
D. It was too dry.

5. What caused the earthquake?

A. the ground moved.
B. the fire
C. the weather
D. the ocean

6. What happened after the great earthquake?

A. San Francisco was moved.
B. San Francisco was rebuilt.
C. San Francisco was sold.
D. San Francisco got smaller.

7. Which building survived?

A. Alvarado School
B. City Hall
C. Macy's
D. the Ferry Building

8. When was the last big earthquake in San Francisco?

A. 2001
B. 1995
C. 1989
D. 1945

9. Where is the safest place to be in an earthquake?

A. standing beside a building
B. in an elevator
C. in the park
D. at home

10. What should you save first if there's a big earthquake?

A. food
B. money
C. pets
D. toys

11. What would happen if there were a big earthquake today?

A. The electricity would go off.
B. Cell phones wouldn't work.
C. We would all be safe.
D. The police would leave town.

12. In the great earthquake, what did the firemen do when the fire hydrants didn't work?

A. They used dirt to put out the fire.
B. They blew up buildings to stop the fire.
C. They went around with trucks full of water.
D. They gave up and ran away.

13. One hundred years ago, what was not invented yet?

A. the telephone
B. cars
C. electric lights
D. radio

14. How did some people get to work in San Francisco 100 years ago?

A. by cable car
B. by bus
C. by taxi
D. by limousine

15. How did people leave San Francisco after the great earthquake and fire?

A. across the Golden Gate Bridge
B. across the Bay Bridge
C. by airplane
D. by ferry

16. How many people lived in San Francisco 100 years ago?

A. about 1,000
B. about 10,000
C. about half a million
D. about 10 million

17. Where did most of the people of San Francisco live after their homes were destroyed?

A. in hotels
B. in cars
C. in tents
D. on ships

18. What should everyone have in their home in case there's another earthquake?

A. fresh water
B. gasoline
C. a Gameboy
D. matches

19. What are the chances that another big earthquake will strike San Francisco in the next 100 years?

A. It's impossible.
B. It's not likely.
C. It's very likely.
D. It will definitely happen.

20. How can you tell that a big earthquake is coming?

A. The sky gets dark.
B. You hear thunder.
C. Animals behave strangely.
D. The weather gets cold.