Lightning is one of the most powerful weather forces to hit Earth. These huge electricity that strike (撞击；击打) during storms can cause destruction and death. Lightning can heat the air around it to temperatures five times hotter than the surface of the sun.

Lightning is very common. It is estimated (估计) that every second, about 100 lightning strikes hit the surface of the Earth.

Lightning can be deadly. It is difficult to keep exact records on how many people die from lightning each year throughout the world. Some experts estimate that about 2, 000 people die each year from lightning. Others say the number could be as high as 24, 000.

So how to stay safe during a lightning storm is important. Experts at the weather gov (政府) website, give tips on staying safe if lightning comes your way.

Outdoor lightning storm

If you are outside, you should take cover, which 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 strike you. Most lightning victims (受害者) are in open areas or near a tree.

Nowhere to hide

If you are outside during a lightning storm and there is no safe shelter, these actions may reduce your risk:

●Immediately leave high land areas, such as hills or mountains.

●Never lie flat on the ground.

●Never shelter under a tree sitting in the open.

●Immediately get out of any bodies of water and stay away from those areas.

●Stay away from objects that can conduct electricity, such as wire fences, tall buildings, power lines or windmills.

Indoor lightning storm

Stay off wired phones, computers and other equipment that can put you in direct contact with electricity.

●Avoid any areas with running water.

●Remain indoors but stay away from windows and doors.

●Do not lie on concrete (混凝土) floors or touch concrete walls.

【小题1】What characteristics does lightning have?

A．Deadly.

B．Common.

C．Powerful.

D．All of above.

【小题2】According to the passage, about ________ lightning strikes hit the surface of the Earth every minute.

A．100

B．6000

C．600

D．1000

【小题3】What’s the Chinese meaning of the underlined word “shelter”?

A．庇护处

B．最高点

C．最低点

D．休息间

【小题4】The author may agree that _______ when there is a lightning storm.

A．we should stay at the mountain	B．a big tree in the open air is a perfect place to stay
C．we can play computer games as usual	D．we should keep away from the water

【小题5】What’s the best title of the passage?

A．How does Lightning Happen.	B．How to Stay Safe During a Lightning Storm.
C．Bad Influences of Lightning.	D．How to Help the Lightning Victims.