新视野大学英语读写教程第三册unit6-a How to Prepare for Earthquakes
- 听力原文
- 参考译文
Section (A)
How to Prepare for Earthquakes
Ideally, people would like to know when an earthquake is going to happen and how bad it will be. In both Japan and China, people have long believed that earthquakes can be forecast. In Japan, scientists have wired the Earth and sea to detect movements. The Chinese have traditionally watched animals and plants for warning signs of earthquakes. For example, the Chinese have noted that before an earthquake, hens' behavior changes — they refuse to enter their cages at night. They have also noticed that snakes come out of the ground to freeze to death and that dogs bark a lot, even normally quiet dogs.
Before the Hanshin earthquake in Japan, there were reports of large schools of fish swimming near the surface of the water. Certain birds, like pigeons, also seemed to be especially noisy, and were reported to be flying in unusual patterns before the earthquake. Perhaps most interesting, and most easily measured, is a chemical change in ground water before a quake. Experimental data seem to indicate that the amount of radon (Rn) in the water under the surface of the Earth waxes before an earthquake.
People would also like to be able to prevent the great destruction of property caused by earthquakes.After all, most of the people who die in earthquakes are killed by falling buildings. Therefore, building structures that can withstand the power of earthquakes is a major concern. Steel seems to be the best material, but not if it is welded to form a rigid structure. Many new structures are built with a new type of steel joint, an I-joint, which appears to be the most durable type of joint.
These joints of steel can move without breaking. Also, to prevent property damage, architects now design buildings so that the building's columns and horizontal beams are of equal strength, and vertical support columns are inserted deep into solid soil. In addition, many new houses have relatively light roofs and strong walls.
Concrete pillars for highway bridges that previously only had steel rods inside are now enclosed in steel.Besides working to improve building structures, people in areas where earthquakes are common need to prepare for the possibility of a great earthquake. They should regularly check and reinforce their homes, place heavy objects in low positions, attach cupboards and cabinets to walls, and fasten doors so that they will not open accidentally during an earthquake.
In addition to preparing their houses, people in these regions need to prepare themselves. They should have supplies of water and food at home and at work. It is best to store several gallons of water per person. It is also important to have something that can clean water and kill bacteria, so water from other sources can be made safe to drink.
Store one week's food for each person. Earthquake survival supplies include a radio receiver, a torch, extra batteries, first-aid supplies, a spade, a tent, some rope,and warm clothing. Experts also suggest the following:Keep a fire extinguisher handy. You should have one at home, at work, and in your car (if you have one). The fire extinguisher should be able to put out any type of fire.
Have the proper tools to turn off gas and water lines if necessary. Arrange an auxiliary cooking and heating source that can be used outside. One alternative is a portable camp stove with small cans of gas. Keep a pair of heavy,comfortable shoes or boots in your home, at work, and in your vehicle. If there is an earthquake, there will be lots of fragments of broken glass. Light shoes will not protect your feet as well as heavy shoes will.
Every family needs to have earthquake emergency plans. How will family members leave the area during the chaos following an earthquake? Everyone should agree on a meeting point outside of the area — perhaps in a town several miles away. Also important is an arrangement for family members to communicate if there is an earthquake. If an earthquake happens in a large city, many of the telephone lines within the city are likely to be down. The few remaining working lines will be busy with the calls that naturally occur after a disaster and it will be difficult to call from one part of the city to another.
It might, however, be possible to call outside the city. A sensible arrangement is to have all of the members of the family call to check in with a friend or relative who lives more than a hundred miles away.
Although scientists still cannot predict earthquakes, they are learning a great deal about how the large plates in the earth's crust move, the stresses between plates, how earthquakes work, and the general probability that a given place will have an earthquake. Someday soon it may actually become possible to predict earthquakes with accuracy. However, even if prediction becomes possible, people who live in areas where earthquakes are a common occurrence will still have to do their best to prevent disasters by building structures that are resistant to ground movement and by being personally prepared.
These precautions can make a great difference in saving lives and preventing the loss of homes. Education concerning how to survive an earthquake should be a major emphasis for all government programs and earthquake-related research projects.
Words: 890
New Words
earthquake n. 地震
detect vt. 察觉，发现；探测
hen n. 母鸡
pigeon n. 鸽子
experimental a. 实验的，用作实验的，根据实验的
◆radon n. 氡（一种由镭的衰变而产生的放射性气态元素）
wax vi. 变大，增强 n. 蜡
destruction n. 破坏，摧毁
withstand vt. 经受，承受，顶住
weld vt. 焊接
joint n. 1.接头，接缝，接合处 2.关节 a. 共有的，联合的
architect n. 建筑师，设计师
column n. 1.圆柱，石柱，碑 2.(印刷品每页上的)列，栏
horizontal a. 与地平线平行的，平的，水平的
beam n. 1.梁，横梁 2.光束，射束 vi. 1.愉快地微笑 2.发光，发热 vt. 播送(消息、电视节目等)
vertical a. 垂直的，竖的，立式的
pillar n. 1.柱子，柱状物 2.有力的支持者；栋梁
rod n. （木质或金属）杆，竿
enclose vt. 1.围住，包住 2.把……装入信封，附寄
besides prep. 除... ...之外（还有） ad. 而且，此外
cupboard n. 食橱，橱柜
cabinet n. 1.橱柜，陈列柜 2.内阁
fasten vt. 使牢固，使固定
gallon n. (容量单位)加仑
bacterium n. 细菌；病菌
receiver n. 1.收音机，收报机，接受器 2.电话听筒
battery n. 1.电池 2.一套，一组
spade n. 铲子，锹
rope n. 绳，索 vt. 用绳捆或扎
▲extinguish vt. 1.使熄灭，扑灭 2.使(希望、爱情、感情等)破灭
extinguisher n. 灭火器
handy a. 1.手边的，近便的 2.有用的，方便的
auxiliary a. 辅助的，补助的，附加的
portable n. 轻便的，便携的，手提式的
boot n. 靴子
fragment n. 碎片，碎块，断片 v. （使）成碎片
chaos n. 混乱，无秩序
sensible a. 明智的，合情理的
crust n. 1.外壳；硬的表面 2.面包皮；糕饼等的酥皮
accuracy n. 精确（性），准确（性）
occurrence n. 1.发生的事情，事件 2.发生，出现
resistant a. 抵抗的，对抗的
precaution n. 预防，预防措施
Phrases and Expressions
watch … for 留意，观察
come out of 离开，从... ...出来
after all 应该记住，别忘了 毕竟，终究
attach sth. to sth. 把某物系在、缚在或附在另一物上
in addition (to) 加之；除... ...之外
at work 在工作的地方；在工作
put out 熄灭，扑灭
turn off 关上（电源、煤气、水等），关闭
agree on 就……达成一致意见
be busy with 忙于，忙碌
check in 登记，报到
make a difference (对某人或物)有影响/起作用
Proper Names
Hanshin 阪神（日本）
如何作好防震准备工作
从理想上说，人们希望知道地震什么时候发生，破坏程度如何。 在日本和中国，人们长期以来一直相信地震是可以预测的。 在日本，科学家在陆地上和海洋中铺设电线，以监测它们的运动。 而中国人的传统做法是观察动植物以获取地震的警示信号。 例如，中国人已经注意到，地震之前鸡的行为有异常：它们夜晚不肯进笼。 他们还注意到，蛇会爬出地穴而冻死，狗会狂吠不已，甚至那些平常很安静的狗也会叫个不停。 日本的阪神地震发生之前，有报告说大批鱼群游到了水面。 有些鸟，如鸽子，也似乎显得特别聒噪，据说地震前它们飞行的方式也与往常不同。 也许最有趣、也最容易测量的，是地震前地下水发生的化学变化。 实验数据似乎表明，地震前地下水中氡的含量会增高。
人们还希望能够预防地震造成的重大财产损失。 要知道，多数在地震中丧生的人都是被倒塌的建筑物砸死的。 所以，建造具有抗震能力的楼房结构成为关注的重点。 钢似乎是最佳的建材，但一旦被焊接成僵硬的结构就不行了。 许多新式结构都采用了一种新型的钢接合方法，即I形接合，它看起来是种最耐用的接合。 这些钢接合在移动时不会断裂。 同样，为了预防财产损失，建筑师如今设计楼房时会使房屋的支柱和横梁力度相等，而垂直支柱则深深插入坚实的地基中。 此外，许多新型房屋都有较轻的屋顶和坚实的墙壁。 高架桥的水泥柱先前只是在内部埋设钢条，如今外面也包上了钢板。
除了设法改善建筑结构外，地震频发区的人们也需要为可能发生的大地震做好防备工作。 他们应当定期检查和加固房屋，将重物放在低处，将碗橱和柜子贴墙放置，加固房门以防地震时突然脱开。
除做好房屋的防震外，这些地区的人们还需要为自身做些防备。 他们应该在家里和工作地储备些水和食物。 最好每人储备几加仑水。 储备一些可以净化水和消灭病菌的东西也很重要，这样就可以安全饮用其他来源的水了。 每人准备一周的食物。 地震救生储备还包括无线电接收器、手电、备用电池、急救用品、铁锹、帐篷、绳子和保暖衣物。 此外专家们还提出了以下建议：
手边备有灭火器。 应该在住处、工作场所和汽车里（如果你有车的话）都存放一个。 灭火器应该是可以扑灭任何火灾的那种。 有必要的话，准备一些能关闭煤气和自来水管道的特制工具。 放置一个备用的户外烹调和取暖用具，或者准备一个便携式露营灶和几小罐煤气。 在住处、工作场所和汽车里放一双厚重、舒适的鞋或靴子。 发生地震时会有大量的玻璃碎片。 轻便的鞋子不能像厚重的鞋子那样保护好你的双脚。
每个家庭都需要制定地震救急计划。 如何让一家人在地震的混乱中安全离开？ 大家应该商定一个地震区外的会合点——可能是在几英里外的某个市镇。 同样，安排好家人地震时的联络方式也很重要。 地震若发生在大城市，市里的许多电话线路很可能中断， 剩下的为数不多的可用线路会很忙，因为灾难之后自然会有许多电话，要从市里的一个地方打到另一个地方会很困难。 但是可能可以与市外通电话。 明智的安排是，让所有的家人都给一个住在一百多英里之外的朋友或亲戚打电话，以报平安。
尽管科学家们仍无法预测地震，但对地壳中的大板块如何移动，板块间的压力如何，地震如何发生，某地区发生地震的一般概率为多少，他们正了解得越来越多。 在不久的将来，精确预测地震将成为可能。 然而，即使可以预测，居住在地震频发区的人们还是应尽力预防灾难，办法是建造能够抵抗地表运动的房屋，同时做好个人准备。 在挽救生命和防止家庭损失方面，这些预防措施会发挥很大的作用。 教育人们如何在地震中幸存下来，应该是所有政府规划和地震研究项目的重点所在。
