Word File Sentence Patterns Expansion Writing Practice

1. earthquake levels: a slight/weak quake a mild quake a severe/strong/violent/ sharp/destructive quake forms: foreshock main shock aftershock

1. earthquake related terms: fault ( 斷層 ) epicenter ( 震央 ) earthquake zone ( 地震帶 ) shock wave ( 震波 ) earthquake damage ( 地震災害 )

2. disasters Other kinds of natural disasters: flood, famine, forest fire, storm, tornado/twister, typhoon/hurricane, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide. Back

I. Dos and Don’ts II. Earthquake Damage

I. Dos and Don’ts

□ □ 1. Turn off gas, water, and electricity. □ □ 2. Stay under a desk or by the wall. □ □ 3. Leave by elevator. □ □ 4. Run outside right away. □ □ 5. Close doors and windows. □ □ 6. Stay away from heavy things. □ □ 7. Listen to the radio for more news. □ □ 8. Keep what you may need on hand. □ □ 9. Stay inside and see if there is any damage. □ □ 10. Keep crying or shouting until others come. Dos Don’ts

II. Earthquake Damage

All of us who live in Taiwan know the feeling. Suddenly the room starts to _____. We feel a rush of fear. Things in the kitchen begin shaking, sometimes falling with a loud noise. Another _________! Luckily, the shaking never lasts more than a few seconds. But have you ever wondered what

might happen if it didn’t stop, if it ________ for several minutes? That’s what happened on 28 March 1964 in the small harbor town of Valdez, Alaska. Like the people of Taiwan, people in Valdez were familiar with earthquakes, and ________ the quake to stop within seconds.

Instead, the ground shook for 5 minutes and buildings began to fall. The violent shaking caused the ocean floor to move, and a huge wave, over 70 meters high, rose up out of the ocean and fell on the town. ________ buildings were washed out to sea and many who had lived through the earthquake were drowned.

The town was completely gone. Valdez has since been rebuilt, but this time in a safer place—above the ocean. Click to check the answers!

All of us who live in Taiwan know the feeling. Suddenly the room starts to move. We feel a rush of fear. Things in the kitchen begin shaking, sometimes falling with a loud noise. Another earthquake! Luckily, the shaking never lasts more than a few seconds. But have you ever wondered what

might happen if it didn’t stop, if it continued for several minutes? That’s what happened on 28 March 1964 in the small harbor town of Valdez, Alaska. Like the people of Taiwan, people in Valdez were familiar with earthquakes, and expected the quake to stop within seconds.

Instead, the ground shook for 5 minutes and buildings began to fall. The violent shaking caused the ocean floor to move, and a huge wave, over 70 meters high, rose up out of the ocean and fell on the town. Damaged buildings were washed out to sea and many who had lived through the earthquake were drowned.

Back The town was completely gone. Valdez has since been rebuilt, but this time in a safer place—above the ocean.

Choose a Topic Sentence Choose a Topic Sentence

Choose the best topic sentence for each of the following paragraphs.

1. ____________________________________________ Horses kick at barn walls. Cats stare at things no one else sees. Or they run about as if they were being chased. Pet fish jump out of bowls. Brown bears wake up early from their winter sleep. a. Animals sometimes are very wild. c. We can never understand the ways animals act. b. Some animals act strangely before an earthquake.

2. ______________________________________ First, you have to turn off gas, water and electricity. Next, keep what you may need on hand. Then stay under a desk or by the wall. Wait until the shaking stops. a. Stay away from something dangerous. b. Earthquakes give no warning signs. c. There are some things that you should do when an earthquake happens.

3. _____________________________________________ Farmers, for instance, hate them because typhoons usually bring too much rain. Fishermen don’t like them either because they have to stay in the harbor until they are gone. Only students like them because sometimes they can take a day off when a typhoon is coming. a. Most people don ’ t like typhoons except students. b. Students can take a day off when a typhoon is coming. c. Farmers and fishermen do like typhoons.

4. ______________________________________ A typhoon may bring a lot of rain, but a tornado won ’ t. Besides, in the middle of a typhoon, there is no wind, but for a tornado, the wind is the strongest in the center. Also, a tornado may die out soon, while a typhoon can cause damage lasting several days. a. Typhoons last longer than tornados. b. A typhoon and a tornado are very different. c. A tornado causes less damage than a typhoon.