閱讀理解

An earthquake happens when two plates rub （碰撞） together. The earth plates travel in different directions and at different speeds. If one plate is slowly forced underneath the other， pressure builds up until the plates break apart. This process causes the ground to move. It is an earthquake. In other words， earthquakes are the shaking of the earths surface caused by the earths rocky outer layer as a result of the energy stored within the earth.

The damage an earthquake causes depends on where it is and the time it is happening. Many of the areas at risk are largely populated now. Major earthquakes hitting those areas today could produce terrible damage. Large earthquakes， such as the 1964 Alaskan quake that measured 9.2 on the Richter scale， cause millions of dollars in damage. In the last 500 years， millions of people have been killed by earthquakes around the world—including 240，000 in the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China.

A 60-second or less earthquake can cause devastation （毀壞） that continues for years after the first tremor （小震）. In 1972， a series of severe earthquakes struck Managua， Nicaragua. Fifteen years later， the city still looked the way it had a week after the earthquake hit， because the country did not have the necessary money to rebuild it.

The shaking of the earth is sometimes not the greatest disaster. It is in the ensuing fires and floods that often the greatest damage occurs. In the 1906 earthquake， it was the fires caused after it that did most of the damage. An earthquake can also destroy dams high above a city or valleys， causing floods to sweep down and sweep away everything in their path.

1. What does Paragraph 1 mainly tell us？

A. How the earth plates travel inside the earth.

B. How the earth gets great energy.

C. How an earthquake happens.

D. How the earth plates move.

2. Which of the following is mentioned to show that an earthquake can kill too many people？

A. The 1906 earthquake.

B. The 1964 Alaskan quake.

C. The 1972 Managua earthquake.

D. The 1976 Tangshan earthquake.

3. The underlined word “ensuing” in the last paragraph probably means “___”.

A. happening as a result of another event

B. happening suddenly and unexpectedly

C. causing too much heat and great damage

D. causing many injuries and much devastation

4. What does the writer want to tell us by giving the example in Paragraph 4？

A. Great damage could be done after the quake.

B. People in Managua suffered too much.

C. Nicaragua is still a poor country.

D. An earthquake doesnt last long.

閱讀七選五

Most of us lead a busy life. 1 We think， “If I reached my goal， then I would be happy.” or “If I could get a better job， then I would enjoy life.” But why not enjoy life right now？

Firstly， take time to notice and appreciate the beauty in your own surroundings. 2 There is a great big world of wonder and beauty around us！ And as Brodersen explains， “Look for the beauty of the sunrise and of a friends smile that brightens your day. Open your eyes to see the beauty you might not normally see. Doing so helps to cheer you up.”

Secondly， taking time to experience some simple pleasures also can bring joy to your heart and reduce your stress. 3 I delight in simple things like my favorite tea drink， a bubble bath or family photos. One universal simple pleasure is finding things that make you laugh. Make time to laugh every day.

Thirdly， dont take your family and friends for granted. Rich， rewarding relationships add greatly to the enjoyment of life. When you think of someone， why not call， e-mail or write them？ 4 As Wayne Lawton explains， “Invest （投入） time in relationships. Remove the attitude， whats in it for me？ Happiness is found in putting others interests， desires and concerns ahead of our own whenever possible. Selfishness （自私） is a dead-end street.” 5

A.Take me for example.

B. Find the beauty in nature.

C. So please treasure relationship.

D. You dont need to travel far to find beauty.

E. I enjoy collecting stamps and reading novels.

F. Driven by the “urgent”， we forget to enjoy life.

G. A short e-mail or phone call can make a world of difference

to someone.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.