1. Judy Flores Materials
BEFORE READING
Discuss these questions:
Look at the map. What countries form the Bermudas Triangle?
What do you know about the Bermudas Triangle?
www.markrobsonauthor.com/200908/26/whats-next/
(1) The Bermuda Triangle has been a topic of hot discussion and interest for many years
because so many strange occurrences have taken place in this area of the world that lies
between the southern eastern coast of the United States and the islands of the West
Indies. Basically, if you draw a line from Miami to Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico to
Bermuda and then Bermuda back to Miami you would have the area that is known as the
Bermuda Triangle. Many boats, airplanes, and ships have mysteriously disappeared in the
Bermuda Triangle with no explanation for what happened to the crafts or the individuals
on board. In the past 100 years, more than 1000 lives have vanished in the Bermuda
Triangle. For many years individuals attributed the disappearances and strange events to
extraterrestrials or aliens because there simply was no other explanation for what was
happening in this area of the world. In fact, in 1974 Charles Berlitz wrote about the
mysterious Bermuda Triangle in a book that sold almost 20 million copies in more than
Copyright by Judy Flores

2. Judy Flores Materials
30 languages. This is because the entire world is intrigued by the unknown that is the
Bermuda Triangle.
(2)However, the unknown of the Bermuda Triangle does have some explanations other
than extraterrestrials or aliens flying down and snatching up boats, ships and airplanes.
Some simply say that accidents happen and while some of those accidents occurred in
what is known as the Bermuda Triangle, many more have occurred outside of it. Then,
there are those looking for something more substantial to answer the questions of the
Bermuda Triangle. One such result is that methane gas hydrate is the explanation for the
disappearances of boats and planes over the years.
(3)In 1981 a geochemist by the name of Richard McIver introduced his theory of the role
methane gas hydrate plays in the disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle. His theory was
that to the North of the Bermuda Triangle huge landslides occur on the continental shelf,
which results in large stones and sludge falling rapidly to the sea floor and ultimately
rupturing the sea floor which covers a layer of gas hydrate. When the seafloor is
ruptured the hydrate is released rapidly as well as methane within the hydrate causing a
huge surge of gas which erupts from the surface of the water with no warning. When this
happens any ship, airplane, or boat within the vicinity will be in immediate peril because
the water and air no longer have the same density, causing the vessels to sink rapidly and
lie to rest covered by sludge on the floor of the ocean.
(4)While this is a somewhat viable theory, most people prefer to believe in something
more extraordinary that happens in the Bermuda Triangle. Because of its triangular shape
and strange events many individuals believe it is a portal to another world, outer space, or
even the Lost City of Atlantis. Also, people claim to have an unusual feeling when they
are in the Bermuda Triangle, as if something is calling to them from another place and
time. Many claim there is something strange about the Triangle because it is the only
place on earth where the compass points true north. There are no definitive answers as to
which theory is the truth behind the Bermuda Triangle, or if the extraordinary Bermuda
Triangle is simply a myth that has been created over the years. However, no matter
whether you choose to believe in one myth or other, or a combination, or simply believe
the Bermuda Triangle is nothing more than a lot of hype, you will probably still be
apprehensive when traveling in the area simply because of the question, “What if.” So,
until more concrete information is found that points to one solid answer behind the
disappearances of boats, ships, planes and people in the Atlantic’s Bermuda Triangle it is
up to you to decide if the Bermuda Triangle’s disappearances are simply accidents played
up into something dramatic or whether there truly is something otherworldly about the
Bermuda Triangle. So, what do you think? Are the Bermuda Triangle myths fact or
fiction? http://thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com/trivia11.html
AFTER READING
A. Answer the following questions
1. Why is the Bermudas Triangle a topic of interest for many people?
2. Where is the area known as the Bermudas Triangle?
Copyright by Judy Flores

3. Judy Flores Materials
3. To whom is attributed the disappearances and strange events that occurs in the
Bermudas Triangle?
4. What was Richard McIver explanation of the frequent disappearances and strange
events of the Bermudas Triangle?
5. What do most people prefer to believe and why?
6. Is there a concrete answer to the mysterious things that occur in the Bermudas
Triangle?
7. What do you think? Is the Bermuda Triangle a myth, real fact or fiction?
B. Finding the Main Idea
Write a sentence from the first paragraph that states the main idea of the story
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
C. Vocabulary Check: Look back at the text where the word is written Match the words
to the definition. Write the correct letter on the lines. Use a dictionary if necessary.
____1. occurrences(1) a. grab, take
____2. crafts(1) b. considerable
____3. vanished(1) c. the downward sliding of a relatively dry
mass of earth and rock.
____4. intrigued(1) d. incidences, happening
____5. snatching(2) e. the chemistry of the composition and
alterations of the solid matter of the earth.
____6. substantial(2) f. a projecting ledge of rock or a balcony
____7. geochemist(3) g. a vehicle intended to be launched into space
____8. landslides(3) h. mud
____9. shelf(3) i. fascinated, interested
____10. sludge(3) j. disappear
D. Vocabulary Building
Read the word that is in bold or expression in its context and match it with the correct
meaning. The paragraph number is in the parenthesis. Use a dictionary if necessary
___1. rupturing(3) a. a device used to determine geographic
direction
___2. vicinity(3) b. publicity, propaganda
___3. peril(3) c. anxious or fearful about the future;
uneasy
___4. vessels(3) d. characteristic of another world,
especially a mystical or transcendental
world
___5. viable (4). e boat
___6. compass(4) f. practical
___7. hype(4) g. exposure to risk of harm, danger
___8. apprehensive(4) h. surrounding area
___9. otherworldly(4) i. to break
Copyright by Judy Flores

4. Judy Flores Materials
Details are facts and small bits of information about the topic. Details answer the
questions Who? What? When? Why? and How?
E. READ FOR DETAILS
Reread the selection and answer WH questions about the Bermudas Triangle
WHO?
WHAT?
WHEN?
WHERE?
WHY?
HOW?
A conjunction is a word that connects other words or groups of words. Conjunctions are:
for and, but, or, yet, so
F. Underline the conjunction in each sentence.
The first one is done as an example.
1. The sea that covers the Bermuda was dirty, and the bottom floor of the sea was hard to
see.
2. The Bermuda Triangle has been a topic of hot discussion and interest for many years
3. For many years individuals attributed the disappearances and strange events to
extraterrestrials
4. When the gas blow up the surface of the water, any ship, airplane, or boat within the
surrounding area will be in immediate danger.
5. His theory was that to the North of the Bermuda Triangle huge landslides occur on the
continental shelf, which results in large stones and sludge falling rapidly to the sea floor
and ultimately rupturing the sea floor
Copyright by Judy Flores

5. Judy Flores Materials
6. Because of its triangular shape and strange events many individuals believe it is a
portal to another world
7. There are no definitive answers as to which theory is the truth behind the Bermuda
Triangle, or if the extraordinary Bermuda Triangle is simply a myth that has been created
over the years
8. Is the Bermuda Triangle’s disappearances simply accidents played up into something
dramatic or something otherworldly about the Bermuda Triangle.
Synonyms are words that have the same meaning or close to the meaning
G. Synonyms
Read each sentence. Then circle the word in parenthesis ( ) that is a synonym for the
underlined word.
1. Ronald and Rose were ecstatic when they went to the Bermudas Triangle. (smart,
happy)
2. With cellular phones people can communicate with people around the world. (talk,
live)
3. Martha felt confident that she could do almost anything. (sure, surprised)
4. Before Martha made friends in Hawaii, she felt secluded. (alone, unsure)
5. Because they understand each other so well, many twins develop a special intimacy.
(connection, language)
The main verb shows the main action or a state of being in a sentence.
A helping verb such as am, is, be, are, has, have, had, did, was, or will works with the
main verb to show when the action or state of being occurs.
H. Main and helping verbs: Read each sentence. Underline the main verb and write the
helping verb on the line. The first one is done as an example.
1. She had seen most of the crime. __________had_________
2. Joan is going to travel to the Bermudas this weekend. __________________
3. Joan boyfriend will ask her about the trip. ______________________
4. Louis has attended many trials like this before.________________________
5. This is the first time I am traveling to the Bermudas. ___________________
6. I am learning to use a dictionary _________________________________
7. The winner of the trip to Bermuda is determined by a drawing.______________
8. The children were beginning to fall asleep when the phone rang. _____________
9. I will be finished in about an hour. ____________________
10. They have been gone a long time. ____________________
Complete each sentence with a helping verb from the box below.
has is was am have are be did will had
1. I ________ reading The Bermudas Triangle.
2. The story _____________ written by a survivor of The Bermudas Triangle.
3. I ___________ never read anything like that.
Copyright by Judy Flores

6. Judy Flores Materials
4. It __________ motivated me to travel to the Bermudas to see its validity.
5. The story____________ changing the way I see the Bermudas Triangle.
6. The story __________ an impact on everyone who reads it.
7. Martha wishes she __________ read the story of The Bermudas Triangle before
traveling to the Bermudas.
8. I _______ go to Bermudas next summer.
9. The boats ________arriving at eight o’clock.
10. What ________________delivered this afternoon?
11. I will ___________ finished in about an hour.
12. I hope you really ___________finish your homework.
13. Jeremy ___________not like mathematics, but he __________like English.
Think of a time you spoke up for something you believed in, even though it
was hard to do. Write three sentences about it. Use helping verbs.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Copyright by Judy Flores

7. Judy Flores Materials
The Bermudas Triangle
H Cross Word Puzzle
Words: Use only 10 words: occurrences, crafts, vanished, intrigued, snatching,
substantial, geochemist, landslides, shelf, sludge, rupturing, vicinity, peril, vessels,
compass, otherworldly
1 2 3
4 5
6 7
8
9
10
ACROSS DOWN
1. happening 2. a space ship
4. when something disappears 3. when someone grabs or takes
6. The chemistry of the away
composition and alterations of the 5. something interesting or
solid matter of the earth or a fascinating
celestial body. 7. Something, such as a projecting
8. Mud, mire, or ooze covering the ledge of rock or a balcony, that
ground resembles such a structure.
9. The downward sliding of a
relatively dry mass of earth and
rock.
10. considerable, significant
Copyright by Judy Flores

8. Judy Flores Materials
The Bermudas Triangle
Find and circle the following words:
apprehensive occurrences
compass otherworldly snatching
crafts peril substantial
geochemist ruptured vanished
hype rupturing vessels
intrigued shelf vicinity
landslides sludge
G C S N A T C H I N G G L G C X J K
V G A C I L Y K D U S L U D G E . S
A V Z V C T X H Y Z G T P B L R E M
N I J L E V I S N E H E R P P A K T
I C N K X Z S B R U P T U R E D J O
S I H S U B S T A N T I A L H W K R
H N O I E S E D I L S D N A L J K U
E I L I R E P G Z X S P A Y B G H P
D T C H Z K V J G E O C H E M I S T
I Y S D F E I U Z Y P Q F F A Y F U
L J L D L S S A P M O C N Y E Q D R
W A E J E Y L D L R O W R E H T O I
R W S T H O F D Y O Z C D Y H V Z N
T X S A S T S L U D G E G V V D H G
C Y E H Y P E S M S N T O S W W Q I
Q T V S W S D Y I N T R I G U E D T
X J E S T F A R C S X W E Q Z J G L
H X D X Z Q S O C C U R R E N C E S
Copyright by Judy Flores