Comprehension .- Intermediate [ 26 ]

[ 26 ]Comprehension . 

[  26  ] Intermediate

Read the following , then answer the questions below :

                     Scientists use special instruments , seismographs , to measure movement under the ground . When an earthquake occurs , shock waves travel round the earth and scientists record these according to an international scale of intensity [ 1939 Turkey 7.9 ; Chile 8.9 ] . The shock at Agadir , the Moroccan port was too small to show on a seismograph in time to warn the people of Agadir . However , the earthquake occurred very close to the surface and Agadir was directly above it . It was therefore very destructive or as scientists would say very “ intense”. Thousands were killed and injured . A Moroccan Navy message from the ruined town said that 90% of the buildings in the suburbs and about 70% of those in the modern quarter were destroyed .

                    Experience has shown that certain types of buildings resist earthquakes better than others . They should either be very solid [ reinforced concrete ] or elastic [ wood or woven branches ] . It is quite true that earthquake-proof buildings have been designed and we have seen in Chile , Japan , California and other places that these resist earthquakes much better than normal buildings . Most people in Agadir lived in houses with earth walls. The roofs were supported by heavy beams which killed many as they fell . The European-style buildings had not been designed for an earthquake area .

                   Of all recorded earthquakes 90% have occurred in one of two areas , a belt surrounding the Pacific Ocean and another stretching from the Alps to the Himalayas . It is difficult to give people advice on what to do in an earthquake . If you have time , it is best to head for the open countryside . If the tremor is sudden and sever , your best hope is to get under a heavy table or bed . Doorways and windows collapse first and people hurrying out of a house may be hit by these .

A-] Answer the following questions :

1-] How do scientists record the intensity of an earthquake ?

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2-] Why was Agadir’s earthquake destructive ?

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3-] What do people do to lessen the effects of an earthquake ?

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4-] What kind of buildings that resist earthquakes ?

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B-] Choose the correct answer :

1-] Another meaning of “ earthquake” is

A-] shock .   B-] shake .   C-] wave .   D-] tumor .

2-] The casualties in Agadir were heavy because

A-] people were asleep .        B-] the earthquake was intense .                                   C-] the earthquake was close to the surface   D-] the buildings were very solid .

3-] The heavy beams

A-] did not collapse .       B-] protected people .                                                           C-] did not protect people and were killing . D-] supported the buildings .