HURRICANE KATRINA
New Orleans, in Louisiana, is known as the most unique city in the United States with distinctive architecture, cross-cultural heritage and annual music festivals. However, due to its location along the Mississippi River with lakes on the other side, and nearly half of the city below sea level, the city faces the danger of flooding. So, a levee system and drainage canals were built to protect the city.
Early in the morning of August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina, the most destructive natural disaster in the history of New Orleans, struck the city. The storm brought strong winds and heavy rains for several days. As a result, water from the river and lakes rose, breaking the levees and poured directly into the city. Soon 80 percent of the city was under the water. People scrambled to roof tops for safety, desperate for food and drinking water. The winds were so strong that even beds in Hyatt Hotel were seen flying out of the hotel windows. The loss was tremendous. Most of the major roads and bridges were destroyed, and houses collapsed. Nearly 2,000 people were killed. After the storm, several natural grounds for the breeding and migrating of different species of animals and birds were permanently lost.
1. New Orleans is famous for ______.
A. its modern architecture B. its cross-cultural heritage
C. its Mississippi River D. its location
2. Which statement is NOT correct about New Orleans?
A. It lies between the Mississippi River and lakes.
B. One of its attractions is its annual music festivals.
C. The city is surrounded by water.
D. Most of the city is below sea level.
3. Which one is NOT mentioned as being damaged by Hurricane Katrina?
A. Distinctive architecture B. The levee system C. Major roads D. Houses
4. The word ‘tremendous’ means ______.
A. puzzling B. huge C. unique D. legendary
5. The word ‘permanently’ is similar to ______.
A. temporarily B. partially C. forever D. rarely
1. New Orleans is famous for ______.
A. its modern architecture B. its cross-cultural heritage
C. its Mississippi River D. its location
2. Which statement is NOT correct about New Orleans?
A. It lies between the Mississippi River and lakes.
B. One of its attractions is its annual music festivals.
C. The city is surrounded by water.
D. Most of the city is below sea level.
3. Which one is NOT mentioned as being damaged by Hurricane Katrina?
A. Distinctive architecture B. The levee system C. Major roads D. Houses
4. The word ‘tremendous’ means ______.
A. puzzling B. huge C. unique D. legendary
5. The word ‘permanently’ is similar to ______.
A. temporarily B. partially C. forever D. rarely