According to the US Geological Survey, about seven million earthquakes strike worldwide every year—but fortunately, only about 1500 of these are of a magnitude(震级) of 5 or greater on the Richter scale. Certain areas, such as California and Japan, are more prone to earthquakes than others. Although the chance of being caught in “The Big one” is remote, it’s wise to be prepared if you live in a region where earthquakes are common.

Educate your family about earthquakes before a big one strikes. For example, they need to know to take shelter in a doorway or under a strong object if indoors, and never to run outdoors if they are inside. If outside, they need to know to stay away from power lines and buildings where objects could fall.

Teach family members how to turn off gas or water lines or electrical power that may need to be shut off after a quake if severe damage occurs.

Develop a plan. Where will your family meet in the event of a disaster? What if some people are at work or school? How will you know if they are safe? Where will you all meet up?

Pack a preparedness kit(衣物装备) and keep it in a safe location. In a major earthquake, it’s possible that you won’t be able to get into your house. Keep supplies in your car trunk or an outside storage shed if possible. Pack whatever your family is likely to need, enough for three days to a week, including food, water, medication, first aid and personal hygiene supplies, flashlights, a portable radio, blankets, clothes and shoes, cash, or camp stove, candles, matches or lighters, and a whistle.

Consider earthquake insurance for your home if you live in an earthquake-prone area. Regular homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover earthquake damage.

1.The underlined words “prone to ” in paragraph 1 can be replaced by___________.

A. likely to suffer                 B. frequent to explore 

C. regular to measure              D. impossible to experience

2.According to the passage, if you are outside in an earthquake, you should_________.

A. stay where you are             B. hide under a big tree 

C. avoid power lines              D. sit on the ground

3. We can learn from the passage that_________.

A. about 1,500 earthquakes happen every year

B. people should store some clothes in their houses in advance

C. family members should meet in their home after an earthquake

D. people suffering earthquakes often should buy earthquake insurance

4.What would be the best title for the passage?

A. How to Keep Safe in an Earthquake

B. How to Prepare for an Earthquake

C. Who Can Help Us After an Earthquake?

D. Where Is an Earthquake-prone Area?

“It’s twelve o’clock, I think I must be off now.” “Oh, really？ I ______ it at all.”

阅读理解

　　As you are receiving my note by e-mail, it’s wise to remember how easily this wonderful technology can be misused, sometimes unintentionally, with serious consequences.

　　Consider the case of the Illinois man who left the snow-filled streets of Chicago for a vacation in Florida. His wife was on a business trip and was planning to meet him there the next day. When he reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick e-mail. Unable to find the scrap of paper on which he had written her e-mail address, he did his best to type it in from memory. Unfortunately, he missed one letter and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher’s wife whose husband had passed away only the day before. When the grieving widow checked her e-mail, she took one look at the monitor(屏幕), let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint. At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen:

　　DEAREST WIFE: JUST GOT CHECKED IN. EVERYTHING PREPARED FOR YOUR ARRIVAL TOMORROW.

　　P. S SURE IS HOT DOWN HERE.

1．From where do you think this passage comes from? It comes from ________.

[　　]

2．What does the underlined word in the first paragraph mean?

[　　]

3．How was the weather in Florida when the story happened? It was ________.

[　　]

4．Why did the old lady fall to the floor? Because ________.

[　　]

A．she was in great sorrow

B．she didn’t like to be made fun of

C．she thought the mail was from her husband who died the day before

D．she was in too poor health

5．From whom and to whom was the e-mail intended to be sent? It was intended to be sent from ________ to ________.

[　　]

A．the Illinois man…the old lady

B．the preacher…his wife

C．the Illinois man…his own wife

D．somebody unknown…the old lady

Ma Lili’s parents are going to give a birthday party for her. She’s going to be fourteen years old. Ma Lili has a lot of friends. They are going to come to the party. They are girls from Ma Lili’s school. There are twenty-five of them.

Ma Lili’s mother is making birthday cakes for the party. They are very nice cakes. Ma Lili says to her mother, “Mum, you’re very nice. Thank you for your nice cakes. ” Her father is going shopping. He buys a lot of apples, bananas, oranges and pears.

It’s four o’clock in the afternoon. Now everything is ready. The party begins in thirty minutes.

1. Who is going to give Ma Lili a birthday party?

A. Ma Lili    B. Her friends   C. Her teacher   D. Her parents

2. How many people are coming to Ma Lili’s party?

A. Two      B. Twenty      C. Twenty-one     D. Twenty-five

3. Her mother _____ for her party.

A. is making cakes   B. is shopping   C. is buying apples   D. makes a cake

4. How old is Ma Lili going to be?

A. 12      B. 13      C. 14       D. 20

5. What time does the party begin?

A. At four                           B. At half past four

C. After five o’clock     D. At about six o’clock

It’s wise to forget things which aren't worth ______.