How to Prepare for Earthquakes Unit 6

Stage 1: Warming-up Activities Stage 2: Reading-Centred Activities Stage 3: Vocabulary Exercises Stage 4: Translating and Writing

Warming-up Activities Background information Enriching your vocabulary Comparing the following words Questions for thought and discussion Background information Enriching your vocabulary Comparing the following words Questions for thought and discussion

Background information  the Great Hanshin Earthquake Disaster: At 5:46:51 AM, on January 17, 1995, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred around Kobe City in Japan. The earthquake magnitude was defined by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The earthquake was named “the 1995 South Hyogo Prefecture Earthquake” (or the 1995 Hyogoken Nanbu Earthquake) by JMA. It was also referred to as “the Great Hanshin Earthquake Disaster” by the Japanese government.

Enriching your vocabulary Read the sentences carefully and guess the meaning of the italicized term in each sentence according to the context and your own experiences.

 In 1906 an earthquake destroyed much of San Francisco.  Financial experts have detected signs that the economy is beginning to improve.  The popularity of the film stars waxed and waned.  She watched the wax as it dripped down the side of the candle.  The destruction of the city by the earthquake was serious.

 The region needs housing which is strong enough to withstand severe wind and storms.  The car has had a new wing welded on.  Check the pipes for leaks at the joints.  Sports shoes are now designed to help protect the knee and hip joints.  By our joint efforts we managed to push the car back on the road.  Every man is the architect of his own fortune.

 The roof of the temple was held up by a row of thick stone columns.  I didn't have time to read the whole article — just the first column.  Draw a horizontal line across the bottom of the page.  The beams cracked and the top floor caved in.  The beams of searchlights are scanning the sky.  Her face is beaming with delight.

 The sun beamed down on them.  Television began beaming the national nominating conventions onto the homes of Americans.  His shirt was a pattern of vertical and horizontal lines.  Concrete pillars support the bridge.  Fanny is a pillar of the chess club.  He was given a fishing rod for his birthday.

 The park that encloses the monument has recently been enlarged.  With this letter I enclose a photograph.  There's a cupboard where you can put your clothes.  Mother keeps her good dishes in a china cabinet.  Members of the cabinet were chosen by the Prime Minister.  Make sure that your seat belt is securely fastened.

 Bacteria are very small organisms, some of which cause diseases.  Do you have an FM receiver?  The toy costs $50 — batteries not included.  If people want this job, they will have to take a battery of tests.  He uses a spade to dig the garden.  The straw ropes lay all over the ship's deck.  The animals were roped together.

 Someone had extinguished the lights in the kitchen.  Nothing could extinguish his love for her.  Using extinguishers, he put out the fire and did not leave until all danger was passed.  Always keep a first-aid kit handy.  Her new book is full of handy hints about how to get the most from your computer.  The assistants will receive auxiliary rates of pay.

 He has bought a portable television set.  I put on my coat and new leather boots.  He could only remember fragments of what happened.  Ownership of the large estates is increasingly fragmented.  After the failure of electricity supplies the city was in chaos.  Earthquakes leave scars in the earth's crust.

 It is impossible to say with any accuracy how many are affected.  Fighting is an everyday occurrence in this area of this city.  We may reduce the occurrence of cancer by fifty per cent.  Why are you so resistant to change?  We have taken all the precautions we can against the painting being stolen.

Comparing the following words a)hen cock chicken b)pigeon dove c)besides in addition to but for except for except d)sensible logical rational sane sound wise

Homework Learn the new words and expressions of the text by heart. Go over the text and try to get the main idea of the text. Prepare to tell a story about earthquakes you’ve ever experienced, heard or read.

Pre-reading Activities Task 1:  Every student tells a story in your group about earthquakes you’ve ever heard, read or experienced in about 2 minutes. Task 2:  Each group chooses the best story teller to tell the class your story.

Reading-Centred Activities Global Reading Task  Listen to a short passage carefully and then answer the following questions on page 152.  Understanding the organization of the text:  Work in groups to complete the outline of the passage

 The essay focuses on one central theme: earthquake prediction, prevention and preparation. One characteristic writing technique that runs throughout the writing is a general statement supported by details.  The whole passage can be divided into 4 parts: 1.The first part of the passage is one paragraph, Paragraph 1. The general statement is ______________________. The general statement is followed and supported by details.

 To predict when an earthquake is going to happen: 1) Scientists _________ to detect movements. 2) People have traditionally __________ for warning signs of earthquakes. They have found that before an earthquake hens ______________, snakes _____________, quiet dogs ___________, fish ______________ and pigeons __________. 3) Experimental data show that ___________ waxes before an earthquake.

2. The second part of the passage is also one paragraph, Paragraph 2. The general statement is _________________________. The general statement is followed and supported by details.  To prevent the great destruction of property caused by earthquakes: 1)Many new structures are built _____________. 2)Architects design buildings so that _________. 3)Many new houses have ___________________. 4)Concrete pillars for highway bridges that previously only had steel rods inside are _____.

3. The third part of the passage consists of 4 paragraphs, from Paragraph 3 to Paragraph 6. The general statement is ______________. The general statement has its details in 4 paragraphs, from __________ preparations to _________ supplies, _________ tools and ________ plans.  To prepare for the possibility of a great earthquake: 1)Regularly __________ your homes, __________ in low positions, ______________ to walls, and ________ doors.

2)Have supplies of ____________ at home and at work. Keep survival supplies such as ______________. 3)Keep ___________ and some proper tools to _________. Arrange an auxiliary _________. Keep a pair of ________________ to protect your feet. 4)Have _________ plans. Make arrangements in case of ___________ for family members to ______________, to _____________, to ______________ or to ________________.

4. The fourth part of the passage is also one paragraph, Paragraph 7. The author offers his advice as a conclusion: _______ ____________________________________ __________________________________. Reading Skills  Skimming Detailed Reading Task  Language points