that the street lights had failed and my heart was pounding harder than when I used to lift weights. I acknowledged my fear.
Realizing that there was no time to flee the house, I simply waited and waited. The nearly one-minute long tremble finally subsided, and my reasoning came back to me. All was well, or well enough. I walked unsteadily to another room and looked outside. A neighbor with a flashlight was checking on his and other’s homes for damage.
I knew it had been a major earthquake, though not centered where I lived. The next day I learned that a 7.6 Richter-scale
earthquake had destroyed my lovely hometown. Or the next few weeks, everyone’s life was centered around the earthquake due to the constant media coverage and electricity rationing.
My hometown is but one o many places along the ―Ring of Fire‖ encircling nearly half the globe around the Pacific Ocean. Constant volcanic and earthquake action occurs here, sometimes with serious results. In this century alone, major earthquake have taken more than one million lives. Many more have been injured and made homeless.
The economic, social and personal
costs are immeasurable.
Over the past quarter century, many countries in earthquake-prone areas have begun to educate their citizens on how to take appropriate precautions for earthquakes. The following list has been taken from experience.
Before the earthquake.
Prepare an ―earthquake kit‖; near everyone’s bed; these kits should include drinking water, a flashlight with fresh batteries , and dry food. Place an extra pillow, blanket, or quilt near the bed to be placed over the head during the earthquake and for warmth if trapped afterwards. During the earthquake.
If possible, get out of the building you are inside of and into a clear area.
If escaping from a building is impossible, get away from windows and door; try to find shelter under structural beams or under any heavy piece of furniture, like a large table or bed.
After the major earthquake (remember that aftershocks will occur):
When shaking ends or subsides, turn off gas lines.
Leave the building (never use elevators)quickly but not in a panic. If not injured, be ready to help rescue workers with information or
labor.
When big one happens, there is little anyone can do. The above preparations, however, could make the difference between life and death.
1. when the results of the vote were announced the Prime Minister___ defeat. a. acknowledged
2. the passengers on the plane___ their seat belts when it took off. b. secured
3. it was only when Simon finally ___ to sleep that the headaches eased. a. drifted off
4. someone was heard ___ the