1 . It was about two o’clock in the early morning. I was sleeping when the earthquake started. At first, I felt a little shake. Then I _________ a loud noise like thunder (雷声).

Soon the real noise came, like bombs (爆炸) under the _________. The building began to shake hard. People shouted and ran out of the building. I tried my best to _________ out too, but I could not. Outside, people were running everywhere _________ pieces of glass and bricks (砖) were falling down. Then the walls began to come down too!

Finally, the noise and shaking _________. It was dark and silent around me. I could see _________, and I did not know if anyone else was near me. I felt afraid and my heart was beating fast. I knew I was in danger, but I told myself to _________.

I shouted for help, but no one came. I started to feel my way through the dark. Luckily, there was just _________ space for me to move.

Hours later, as I was _________ to find my way out, I suddenly heard some noise above me. I shouted, “Help! Please help! I’m here!” Then I heard shouts from excited people. They __________ moved away the bricks. At last, I saw the bright daylight. I was safe.

3 .

Everyone tries to get to school on time. But when bad weather gives you trouble, can you still make it before the bell rings?

In northern China during spring, big sandstorms (沙尘暴) often make trouble for students and everyone else. When the sky is dark with sand (沙子), buses and cars all move much more slowly. Sometimes, people can’t even see for 20 meters. Sandstorms usually happen in spring. They have happened in more than 10 provinces in northern China this year.

People in southern China don’t have to worry about this kind of bad weather. Most of the sand comes from Gansu and Inner Mongolia (内蒙古). In northern China, lots of places have few trees and don’t get much rain. People there have been cutting down too many trees. When there aren’t many trees, the ground can’t keep enough water. Over the years, the ground dries up and turns to sand. When spring comes and the ice melts (融化), the ground becomes looser (更松散的). Strong winds take the loose sand into the sky.

Sandstorms are bad for people’s health. If people breathe too much sand, they could cough or have asthma (哮喘). Sandstorms also give farmers lots of problems. Sometimes their sheep get lost in the storms and never get back home. The winds also tear down farmers’ houses.

To stop sandstorms, you can ask your parents to help you plant some trees this spring. If you see people cutting down too many trees, tell them about the dangers of sandstorms, and ask your government to stop them from cutting.

It was about two o’clock in the early morning     1     21 September, 1999. Tommy was sleeping when the earthquake started. He felt a slight shake, then he     2     a loud noise like thunder. Soon the real noise came, like bombs under the ground. The earth started to     3    . People screamed in fear. Some ran out of the building. He tried his     4     to run out too, but he couldn’t.

Outside, people were running in all directions while pieces of glass and bricks were falling down. Then the     5     began to come down too!

Finally, the noise and shaking ended. It was dark and silent around him. He could not see anything at all, and he did not know if anyone else was near him. He felt     6     and his heart was beating fast. A moment of fear went through his mind, but he told     7     to calm down since he was still alive. He shouted for     8    , but no one came. He started to move slowly in the darkness. Luckily, there was just enough space for him to move.

Hours later, Tommy heard     9     noise above him. He screamed, “Help! Please help! I’m here!” Then he heard shouts from excited people. They     10     moved away the bricks. At last, Tommy was safe.

5 . California is one of the richest states (州) in America. It is the third largest state in the United States in area, after Alaska and Texas. And California also has more people than any other state in the United States. Besides, it has lots of natural resources (资源). But not everything is perfect there. California has two important problems: earthquakes (地震) and forest fires.

The San Andreas Fault (断层) runs through California. As a result of it, the state gets many earthquakes. Some of the earthquakes are very strong. For example, there was a strong earthquake in San Francisco in 1906. Many buildings fell down. And the earthquake made a large number of fires happen. Up to 3,000 people died in it. There have also been many other strong earthquakes. Some people are afraid that a “big one” will hit the state someday. They think an earthquake will bring a huge number of problems.

During summer and autumn, much of California is dry. So forest fires or wildfires often start. Those fires can spread quickly and burn many forests. What’s worse, they also burn people’s homes. They often kill people before firefighters can put them out.

6 . A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey (在土耳其发生7.8级地震) on February 6, 2023. What were you doing when you heard of the news? We asked some people and here were their answers.

7 . Earthquake safety tips

On April 14, 2010, a big earthquake hit Yushu, Qinghai. Over 2,000 people died. Many people were hurt. Why are there earthquakes?

The surface of the Earth has many pieces. These pieces are always moving. When two pieces move past each other, there is an earthquake.

Scientist are working hard to find out more about earthquakes. They try to predict(预测) them, but it’s very hard.

Do you know how to get ready for an earthquake? Do you know what to do during an earthquake? Here are some things you should know.

What to do before an earthquake

Make sure you have two bottles of water, a packet of biscuits(饼干), a clean towel(毛巾), a few band-aids(创口贴), a radio and a flashlight(电筒) at home.

What to do during an earthquake

If you are inside:

★ Stay where you are. Quickly move under a strong desk, or along a wall. This will protect you from falling things.

★Don’t stand near windows.

★Turn off the lights.

★Don’t get into a lift during an earthquake. If your are in a lift, get out as quickly as possible.

If you are outside:

★Don’t stand near buildings. Things may fall on you.

★Lie on the ground until the shaking stops.