Read the passage below and choose the best option A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions
Passage 1:
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 rooftops 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.
Question 1: New Orleans is famous for ___________.
A. its modern architecture C. its Mississippi River
B. its cross-cultural heritage D. its location
Question 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.
Question 3: Which one is NOT mentioned as being damaged by Hurricane Katrina?
A. Distinctive architecture B. The levee system C. Major roads D. Houses
Question 4: The word ‘tremendous' means ___________.
A.puzzling B. huge C. unique D. legendary
Question 5: The word ‘permanently' is similar to ___________.
A. temporarily B. partially C. forever D. rarely
Passage 2:
How can scientists predict earthquakes? Earthquakes are not scattered anywhere but happen in certain areas. They happen in places where pieces of the earth’s surface meet. For example, earthquakes often occur on the west-coast of North and South America, around the Mediterranean Sea, and along the Pacific coast of Asia.
Another way to predict earthquakes is to look for changes in the earth’s surface, like a sudden drop of water level in the ground. Some people say animals can predict earthquakes. Before earthquakes people have seen chickens sitting in trees, fish jumping out of the water, snake leaving their holes and other animals acting strangely.
After an earthquake happens, people can die from lack of food, water and medical supplies. The amount of destruction caused by an earthquake depend on types of building, soil conditions and population. Of the 6000 earthquakes on the earth each year, only about fifteen cause great damage and many deaths.
Question 1: Earthquakes happen in certain areas where _______________.
A. the population is large B. pieces of the earth’s surface meet
C. the soil conditions are stable D. many buildings are built
Question 2: Earthquakes often happen along ________________.
A. the east-coast of North America B. the east-coast of South America
C. the Pacific coast of Asia D. the coast of Australia
Question 3: Looking for ____________ can help predict earthquakes.
A. changes in the earth’s surface B. water beneath the earth’s surface
C. drops of water D. water currents
Question 4: After an earthquake, as a result of _________ people may die.
A. lack of food B. lack of friendship
C. lack of information D. lack of knowledge
Question 5: The passage mainly discusses ______________.
A. the damage caused by earthquakes B. how strong earthquakes are
C. strange animal behaviors D. how to predict earthquakes
