© Brent Coley 2008 | Key Vocabulary Houghton Mifflin Reading Theme 1 – Nature’s Fury

Sample Sentence: There was much debris after the earthquake.

Definition: n. The remains of something broken or destroyed

Sample Sentence: The devastation caused by the earthquake would cost millions of dollars to repair.

Definition: n. Destruction or ruin

Sample Sentence: An earthquake typically occurs near a fault.

Definition: n. A break in a rock mass caused by a shifting of the earth’s crust

Sample Sentence: The impact of the two cars colliding made a loud, crashing sound.

Definition: n. The striking of one object against another

Sample Sentence: The jolt from the person next to me caused me to drop my books.

Definition: n. A sudden jerk or bump

Sample Sentence: The earthquake caused the ground to shudder under our feet.

Definition: v. To suddenly shake, vibrate, or quiver

Sample Sentence: California is susceptible to earthquakes because of its many faults.

Definition: adj. Easily affected

Sample Sentence: The undulating ground made it difficult to stand.

Definition: adj. Moving in waves or with a smooth, wavy motion

Sample Sentence: The mountain range was created by a great upheaval.

Definition: n. A lifting or upward movement of the earth’s crust