Questions and activities based on "Into the Volcano" by Donna O'Meara, included in the Wonders Grade 6 Anthology.

1. E. Kissner 2018
“Into the Volcano”
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Read the excerpt from the text.
Blasts of steam blew some of the flowing lava into tiny
shards of glass that pricked my bare arms like bee stings.
Why does the author compare being hit by the shards of
glass to bee stings?
A. To show that the shards are sharp
B. To show that the shards of glass are hot
C. To show that the shards of glass are painful
D. To show that the shards of glass are made of lava
2. Why does the author describe the situation on page 78 as
being “sandwiched”?
A. The author is eating lunch at the volcano, so she
feels like a sandwich.
B. The author is between a sacred Hawaiian temple
and a sea cliff.
C. The author has stumbled on a Wauhaula temple.
D. The author is between lava tubes and a pink cloud.
3. Read the excerpt from the text.
I dropped onto the ledge and had a ringside seat for the best
lava show in town.
Why does the author compare watching the volcano to a
show?
A. The author is viewing many performers at the side
of the volcano.
B. Watching the volcano is boring and she wishes she
were elsewhere.
C. She is hoping to put her photographs in a show.
D. The volcano is as entertaining as a show.

2. E. Kissner 2018
4. Read “Donna O’Meara: The Volcano Lady” on pages 88-91.
What is the main idea of this text?
A. Donna O’Meara is a photographer who loves volcanoes.
B. As a photographer, artist, and scientist, Donna O’Meara
loves studying volcanoes.
C. Donna O’Meara runs Volcano Watch International.
D.Donna O’Meara’s most frightening experience was
spending the night on Mt. Stromboli.
Which do you find most enjoyable as a reader—a first-person
account from Donna O’Meara, or the expository text about her
life? Support your response with text details.

3. E. Kissner 2018
“Into the Volcano”
Visualizing
Select two short passages (1-3 sentences) from the text that you
found visually interesting.
 Copy each passage, using quotation marks.
 Sketch a picture to show what you visualize in this passage.

4. E. Kissner 2018
“Into the Volcano”
Writing
How does the author make this narrative nonfiction text dramatic
and exciting to the reader? Use specific text evidence in your
response.