新视野大学英语读写教程听力 第三册 te-unit06-a

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[00:00.00]喜欢hxen.net，就把hxen.net复制到QQ个人资料中！How to Prepare for Earthquakes
[00:-1.00]1  Ideally, people would like to know
[00:-2.00]when an earthquake is going to happen and how bad it will be.
[00:-3.00]In both Japan and China,
[00:-4.00]people have long believed that earthquakes can be forecast.
[00:-5.00]In Japan, scientists have wired the Earth and sea to detect movements.
[00:-6.00]The Chinese have traditionally watched animals
[00:-7.00]and plants for warning signs of earthquakes.
[00:-8.00]For example, the chinese have noted that before an earthquake,
[00:-9.00]hens' behavior changes — they refuse to enter their cages at night.
[00:10.00]They have also noticed that snakes come out of
[00:11.00]the ground to freeze to death and that dogs bark a lot,
[00:12.00]even normally quiet dogs.
[00:13.00]Before the Hanshin earthquake in Japan,
[00:14.00]there were reports of large schools of fish
[00:15.00]swimming near the surface of the water.
[00:16.00]Certain birds, like pigeons,
[00:17.00]also seemed to be especially noisy,
[00:18.00]and were reported to be flying in unusual patterns before the earthquake.
[00:19.00]Perhaps most interesting, and most easily measured,
[00:20.00]is a chemical change in ground water before a quake.
[00:21.00]Experimental data seem to indicate
[00:22.00]that the amount of radon (Rn)
[00:23.00]in the water under the surface of the Earth waxes before an earthquake.
[00:24.00]2  People would also like to be able to prevent the great destruction
[00:25.00]of property caused by earthquakes.
[00:26.00]After all, most of the people who die in earthquakes are killed
[00:27.00]by falling buildings.
[00:28.00]Therefore, building structures that can withstand
[00:29.00]the power of earthquakes is a major concern.
[00:30.00]Steel seems to be the best material,
[00:31.00]but not if it is welded to form a rigid structure.
[00:32.00]Many new structures are built with a new type of steel joint, an I-joint,
[00:33.00]which appears to be the most durable type of joint.
[00:34.00]These joints of steel can move without breaking.
[00:35.00]Also, to prevent property damage,
[00:36.00]architects now design buildings so that the building's columns
[00:37.00]and horizontal beams are of equal strength,
[00:38.00]and vertical support columns are inserted deep into solid soil.
[00:39.00]In addition, many new houses have
[00:40.00]relatively light roofs and strong walls.
[00:41.00]Concrete pillars for highway bridges that previously only
[00:42.00]had steel rods inside are now enclosed in steel.
[00:43.00]3  Besides working to improve building structures,
[00:44.00]people in areas where earthquakes are common
[00:45.00]need to prepare for the possibility of a great earthquake.
[00:46.00]They should regularly check and reinforce their homes,
[00:47.00]place heavy objects in low positions,
[00:48.00]attach cupboards and cabinets to walls,
[00:49.00]and fasten doors
[00:50.00]so that they will not open accidentally during an earthquake.
[00:51.00]4  In addition to preparing their houses,
[00:52.00]people in these regions need to prepare themselves.
[00:53.00]They should have supplies of water and foot at home and at work.
[00:54.00]It is best to store several gallons of water per person.
[00:55.00]It is also important to have something
[00:56.00]that can clean water and kill bacteria,
[00:57.00]so water from other sources can be made safe to drink.
[00:58.00]Store one week's food for each person.
[00:59.00]Earthquake survival supplies include a radio receiver,
[-1:00.00]a torch, extra batteries, first-aid supplies,
[-1:-1.00]a spade, a tent, some rope, and warm clothing.
[-1:-2.00]Experts also suggest the following:
[-1:-3.00]5  Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
[-1:-4.00]You should have one at home, at work,
[-1:-5.00]and in your car (if you have one).
[-1:-6.00]The fire extinguisher should be able to put out any type of fire.
[-1:-7.00]Have the proper tools to turn off gas and water lines if necessary.
[-1:-8.00]Arrange an auxiliary cooking
[-1:-9.00]and heating source that can be used outside.