Earthquakes may happen anywhere on the earth. When some plates of the earth move suddenly, an earthquake happens. Many earthquakes begin under the sea. They often happen near the mountains, too.
    During an earthquake, the shakings make rocks rise suddenly and even crack (断裂) open. Houses fall, people are killed or hurt, and sometimes the whole villages or cities are destroyed.
   Can we do something to keep ourselves safe from earthquakes? Scientists have studied earthquakes and make maps that show the “earthquake belts”. In areas in these belts, it’s possible for earthquakes to happen. In these areas we should build strong houses to fight against earthquakes.
   In the future, scientists will be able to tell when and where an earthquake will be before they happen. They can also tell people what to do and how to do it.

1. The reason for an earthquake is           .

   A. that there are so many plates on the earth

   B. that the sea is too deep

   C. rocks’ cracking open  

2. A lot of earthquakes often happens           .

    A. in the area                B. next to mountains            C. at night         

3. A map showing the earthquake belts will tell people           .

   A. what kind of houses to build

   B. what kind of houses can stay up in an earthquake
   C. where earthquake may happen

4. Which is Not True according to the passage?  

   A. During an earthquake people are killed or hurt.

   B. The scientists can tell when and where an earthquake is now.

   C. we should build strong houses to fight against earthquakes. 

5. In the future, we’ll be no longer so afraid of earthquakes           .

   A. with the help of scientists’ exact prediction

   B. because of a map showing the “earthquake belts”

   C. because we can guess the date and place of earthquakes

One day when some government officials(官员) were building a barn(谷仓), they found a mouse hole in a corner and used smoke to make the mice inside the hole come out. A while later they indeed saw mice running out, one after another. Then, everyone thought that all the mice had escaped. But just as they began to clean up, they saw two mice squeezing(挤)out at the mouth of the hole. With some efforts, the mice finally got out. However, it was strange that after they came out of the hole, they didn’t run away immediately. Instead, one chased after the other near the mouth of the hole. It seemed that one was trying to bite the tail of the other.
Everyone was puzzled(困惑), so they stepped near to take a look. They realized that one of the mice was blind and couldn’t see anything, and the other was trying to allow the blind mouse to bite on his tail so that he could pull the blind one with him to escape.
After seeing what happened, everyone was speechless and lost in thought. During the meal time, the group of people sat down in a circle and started to chat about what happened to the two mice.
One serious American official said, “I think the relationship between those mice was that of king and guard(卫兵).” The other thought for a while and said, “That is why!”
A smart Frenchman said, “I think the relationship between those two mice was that of husband and wife.” Again the others thought for a while, and all felt it made sense.
A Japanese said, “I think the relationship between those two mice was that of mother and son.” Once again the others thought for a while, and felt this was more reasonable. So they expressed(表达) agreement another time.
At that moment, one Chinese asked, “Why did those two mice have to have a certain relationship?”
Suddenly, the group looked back at the Chinese and stayed speechless. The American official, the French and the Japanese who had spoken earlier all lowered their heads in shame(羞愧), and did not dare to answer.
In fact, the true love is not built on friendship, loyalty(忠诚) or blood relationship.
Instead, it is based on no relationship.
【小题1】Neither of the two mice ran away immediately because ________.