Two Kinds of Spin: teacher key

Hurricanes and Tornadoes, grade 4 edition, written for 4th grade. Hurricanes and tornadoes both spin, but one is born over the sea and one under a thunderstorm. Learn how each forms, how forecasters watch them, and how to stay safe.

Read the book. Print this page for the key.

Questions and answers

1. What is the calm center of a hurricane called?
   • The eye (answer)
   • The funnel
   • The alley
2. What is a funnel cloud that touches the ground?
   • A hurricane
   • A typhoon
   • A tornado (answer)
3. How is a tornado rated on the Enhanced Fujita Scale?
   • By how much damage it causes (answer)
   • By how big its eye is
   • By its name
4. A storm forms over very warm ocean water and has an eye. Is it a hurricane or a tornado?
   • A tornado
   • A hurricane (answer)
   • A funnel cloud
5. Which storm is rated by its steady wind speed?
   • A hurricane (answer)
   • A funnel cloud
   • A tornado

Words

• funnel: spinning cone
• eyewall: storm ring
• typhoons: Pacific hurricanes
• probes: small tools
• forecasters: weather watchers