China, 【小题1】（situate）in one of the most active earthquake 【小题2】（region），has experienced many terrible earthquakes. The most serious earthquake of all time 【小题3】（occur）in Hua County in Shanxi Province in 1556, 【小题4】 affected an area of 800 square kilometers. In some communities, 60% of the population 【小题5】（be）killed. The earthquake caused 【小题6】 total of more than 830,000 deaths.

The 1906 California Earthquake lasted for only one minute. 【小题7】, it caused the worst 【小题8】(nature) disaster in the American history. The fires caused by the earthquake burned for three days, 【小题9】 (destroy) more than 250,000 buildings 【小题10】 leaving 250,000 people homeless.

Lightning is very common but one of the most powerful weather forces to hit the Earth. 【小题1】 (actual), every second about 100 lightning strikes hit 【小题2】surface of the Earth. In some parts of the world, for example in India, summer lightning storms are very common. With the rainy season【小题3】(begin) there, storms often cover most of the country’s northern area. The last week in June, the Reuters News Agency 【小题4】(report) lightning strikes killed more than 100 people in two areas of India.

If you are outside, 【小题5】 (expert) say you should take cover, 【小题6】means finding a safe shelter for protection. During a lightning storm, no place outside is safe. If you hear-thunder, lightning is close enough to hit you. Most lightning victims are in open areas or near a tree.

If you are indoors during a lightning storm, you could still be 【小题7】danger. Stay off wired phones, computers and other 【小题8】(equip) that can put you in direct contact with electricity. Avoid any area with running water and stay away from windows and doors. Specialists at the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that helping lightning strike victims can save【小题9】(they) lives. It is safe 【小题10】 (touch) a lightning strike victim. People struck by lightning do not carry charge. est. Some nutrients are easily lost in cooking if they are cooked in different ways.

Strange things were happening in Tangshan. For a few days, the water in the village wells rose and 【小题1】 (fall). Deep cracks appeared in the well walls. Chickens, pigs, dogs, mice and even fish became nervous. However, people did not pay any attention to them.

At 3:42 a. m. everything began to shake. It seemed as if the world were coming to 【小题2】 end! One of the most 【小题3】 (dead) earthquakes of the 20 century had begun. 【小题4】 less than one minute, the city lay in 【小题5】 (ruin). Two thirds of the people who lived there were dead or injured. The number of people who were killed or badly injured 【小题6】 (be) more than 400,000.

But hope was not 【小题7】 (lose). Rescue workers, including soldiers, doctors, nurses, and workers came to help. The soldiers dug out the people who 【小题8】 (trap) and buried the dead. Workers built shelters for survivors 【小题9】 homes had been destroyed.

Slowly, the city began to breathe and revive 【小题10】 (it). With strong support from the government and the tireless efforts of the city’s people, a new Tangshan was built upon the earthquake ruins.