Last month, Yang Xuelan, 18, was preparing for the college entrance examination, just like every Senior 3 student. However, a terrible earthquake hit her hometown, Ya’an, Sichuan on April 20.
Yang ran to the playground. She was safe. But all her study materials were buried (被埋) in the classroom. A university in Chengdu lent a helping hand. Now Yang and her classmates are studying there.
The earthquake killed at least 196 and injured more than 12,000. Soldiers and experts arrived at the quake zone (震区) immediately. They helped rescue people and rebuild homes. Tens of thousands of people have donated money and materials to help.
There is litt
le we can do to stop natural disasters such as earthquakes from happening. But we can try to make ourselves better prepared for these disasters.
Japan is considered to be one of the best countries at dealing with earthquakes. From a young age, the Japanese are taught how to keep safe in earthquakes. Schools in Japan often take earthquake drills (演练).
Almost every Japanese family has a survival kit (救生包), which has a flashlight, a radio, water and enough food for several days. This helps people to stay alive after an earthquake.
What can we do when an earthquake happens? Some methods can reduce the harm they cause. The American Red Cross introduced the “Drop, Cover & Hold on” method.
*Drop down onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from falling.
*Cover your head and neck under a strong table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, you can also stay along a wall, and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
*Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.
1. We can tell from the
first two paragraphs that _________.
A. an earthquake hit Yang’s hometown
B. Yang hasn’t been to school after the quake
C. the earthquake made Yang a college student
D. Yang and her classmates were buried in the classroom
2. Why are Yang and her classmates studying at a university in Chengdu at present?
A. Because they have got a chance to go to college.
B. Because they got help from soldiers and experts.
C. Because they don’t want to study in their school any more.
D. Because their school buildings were destroyed by the earthquake.
3. What did soldiers and experts mainly do in the quake zone?
A. They built classrooms for students.
B. They donated a lot of money and materials.
C. They helped save people and rebuild their homes.
D. They tried to prevent more earthquakes from happening.
4. Which of the following should you do when an earthquake happens?
A. Stay there and don’t move.
B. Stand straight on a table or desk.
C. Drop down onto your hands and knees.
D. Lie down on the ground and face the ceiling.