La Mancha Negra

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/la-mancha-negra

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the date of initial observation?1986
2. What is the geographic location?Caracas, Venezuela
3. Why did La Mancha Negra make driving in Caracas risky?The goo was slick and viscous, so cars could not grip the road well. This caused many accidents and made driving a high‑stakes activity.
4. When did La Mancha Negra first appear?It first appeared in 1986, when the black stain began to ooze from the asphalt in Caracas.

Urban Anomaly: An unusual or unexpected occurrence within a city's environment.
Compromised Traction: Reduced ability of tires to grip the road surface, increasing the risk of skidding.
Automotive Lubricants: Oils and greases used to reduce friction between moving parts in vehicles.