2009年6月大学英语四级预测题

　　Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes) 
　　Directions: In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer the questions on Answer Sheet 1. 
　　For questions 1- 7, mark 
　　Y (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; 
　　N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; 
　　NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage. 
　　For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage. 
　　How to survive a devastating earthquake? 
　　What exactly is an earthquake? 
　　Earthquakes, originating miles underground, are a part of global tectonics (筑造学), a process that often changes the elevation of the land and its morphology (形态学); the result of volcanic activity, such as the quakes that shook Washington state weeks before Mount Saint Helens’ volcano erupted in 1980; induced by Man. 
　　The earth is not really one solid mass, but is in fact made up of several immense plates that are always pushing against one another. It’s a bit like being on a crowded subway; the plates making up the earth are so tightly pushed together that there is always a struggle for room. Eventually, this pressure becomes so great between certain plates that they finally move, violently shifting their position. That is a tectonic earthquake. These constant struggles and shifting of the earth are global tectonics. These are usually the most devastating of all quakes. 
　　Earthquakes may occur in an area before, during, and after a volcanic eruption, and are the result of active forces connected with the eruption, but are not the cause of the volcanic activity itself. 
　　Man-induced earthquakes are often caused by such things as the deep-sea drilling that has occurred in recent years. Such activity deep into the earth can sometimes increase pressure on the plates, making a tense situation much worse. 
　　Can scientists predict earthquakes? Can animals predict earthquakes? 
　　Scientists have never predicted a major earthquake. They do not know how, and they do not expect to know how any time in the foreseeable future. However, probabilities can be calculated for potential future earthquakes. For example, scientists estimate that over the next 30 years there’s a 67% probability of a major earthquake occurring in the San Francisco Bay area. Scientists often focus their efforts on the long-term; lessening of earthquake hazards by helping to improve the safety of structures rather than creating short-term predictions. 
　　Changes in animal behavior before earthquakes have been observed and documented in different parts of the world, most recently in the northern California earthquake of October 17, 1989. It has been recorded that a fish in a high school biology lab in California would flip on its side before some earthquakes. Dogs, cats, snakes, and horses have also been known to behave strangely before earthquakes. But it’s possible the change in animal behavior may be caused by other events. Also, the behavior is not consistent; sometimes earthquakes occur with no previous behavioral change. 
　　How to prepare for an earthquake? 
　　Perhaps an earthquake’s greatest danger lie in the fact that it can occur almost at once. If you live in a location that’s prone to earthquakes, preparation before the event is certainly key. 
　　To paraphrase the American Red Cross: "It’s not the shaking that hurts. It’s the stuff that falls on your head." Collapsing walls, flying glass and falling objects cause most quake-related injuries and deaths. 
　　Look around your house for things that could fall or move. Ask yourself what may happen if your cupboard doors fly open during a quake, allowing dishes or God-knows-what to fall across the floor. Is the TV and stereo fastened down and are shelves fastened to walls? Do you have hanging plants or light fixtures that might fall? Is there a heavy picture or mirror on the wall over your bed? 
　　Know the danger spots. Secure all tall and heavy furniture that could topple (倾倒) over, such as bookcases, china cabinets or wall units. Hang heavy pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit. Keep breakables or heavy objects on bottom shelves. 
　　Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, or appliances if a quake hits; stay out of the kitchen--it’s a dangerous place. In short, stay away from anything that could probably fall on you. Don’t run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking, or while there is a danger of falling or being hit by falling glass or debris. Secure a water heater by strapping it to wall studs and bolting it to the floor. Define Your Safety Zone: against inside walls, under strong tables or desks, in stout(结识的)doorways. 
　　Keep food and water supplies on hand. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and loved ones for a period of 72 hours. This is how long it is estimated for help to arrive, as they have to deal with the same predicaments as you. Have two places where everyone can meet. One will be you home, but you should have a second in case there’s a problem- It should be a safe distance from your house in case of a home fire, and a place outside your neighborhood in case you can’t immediately return Find out about earthquake plans developed by your children’s school or day care. Remember, transportation may be disrupted. Keep some emergency supplies--food, liquids, and comfortable shoes, for example--at work. 
　　During the Earthquake 
　　If you are indoors, stay there{ Get under a heavy desk or table and hang on to it, move into a hallway or get against an inside wall. 
　　If you are outside, get into the open-away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you. If you are driving, quickly but carefully move your car as far out of traffic as possible and stop. Do not stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs Stay inside your car until the shaking stops. 
　　When you resume driving, stay away from breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, bumps in the road at bridge or ramp approaches, and anything else that doesn’t look "right". If you are in a mountainous area, watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quakes. 
　　Do not turn on the gas again if you’ve turned it off the gas company should do it. They’ll know if it’s safe to do so. 
　　Do not use matches, lighters, camp stoves, barbecues, electrical equipment or any appliances until you are sure there are no gas leaks. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion. 
　　Do not use your telephone, except for a medical or fire emergency. You could tie up the lines needed or emergency response. If an emergency occurs and the phone doesn’t work, send someone for help. 
　　Do not expect freighters, police or paramedics to definitely be there for you. They may not be available. 
　　Remember, the contents of your home may be damaged and can he dangerous. Quakes can make light fixtures fall, and bookcases and television sets topple over even after the shaking is over. 
　　After the Earthquake 
　　Also, be prepared for aftershocks. They are strong enough to topple(倾倒) more buildings, cut off utility lines and hurt you hours, days, weeks--even months after the main quake. If your house is in solid shape, stay indoors if an aftershock hits. Wear sturdy shoes to avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Stee~toed workboots may be best. 
　　Check for injuries to yourself and those around you give first aid where you can. If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound and use clean gauze, or cloth if available, Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury. Cover the wounded with blankets to keep them warm. Seek medical help for serious injuries. 
　　Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals. 
　　Open closet and cupboard doors cautiously. 
　　Inspect the entire length of chimneys carefully for damage. Unnoticed cracks could lead to a fire. Also inspect your gas, power and sewer lines. If your utilities are damaged, fix them or get out until you can have someone else do so. 
　　Remember to check neighbors who may require special assistance infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities. 
　　Stay out of buildings known to be damage& Use the telephone only for emergency calls. Only drive if there’s an emergency. Keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles. 
　　Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency information. 
　　Return home only when authorities say it is safe. 
　　1. Earthquakes may occur when the altitude and the shape of the plates making up the earth change due to the internal pressure and stress inside the earth. 
　　2. Excessive cutting down of forest and lack of trees-planting also induce a devastating earthquake.　　3. In San Francisco people have made efforts to improve the safety of structure because a major earthquake is predicted to happen in a short term.  
　　4. When you see that many animals like dogs, cats, snakes or horses behave strangely, you can predict a major earthquake may occur immediately. 
　　5. Preparation for the earthquake is one of the keys to survive a major earthquake, which includes knowing where and how to escape from the falling down of movable objects. 
　　6. In the earthquake the spots near the window, fireplaces or appliances, and the kitchen are the dangerous places. It is safe to be under strong tables or desks in stout doorways. 
　　7. When there is an earthquake and you are outside, you should get into the building quickly. If you are driving, move your car fast away and stop and go out of your car to escape from the car explosion. 
　　8. In the earthquake we shouldn’t expect firefighters, police or army soldiers to offer rescue immediately since they are __________________ at once. We need to be patient and save ourselves. 
　　9. After the main major quake, there usually many ______________. They are strong enough to topple more buildings, cut off utility lines and hurt you hours, days, weeks—even months. 
　　10. If possible, listen to a battery operated radio or television for the latest ___________.