READING

Read the following

passage. For Questions 1-5, choose the answer (A, B, C or D )which you think fits best according to the text. Write the appropriate letters A-D in boxes 1—5 on your answer sheet.

A recent investigation by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey shows that strange animal behavior might help predict future earthquakes. Investigators found such occurrences in a ten-kilometer radius of the epicenter of a fairly recent earthquake. Some birds screeched and flew about widely; dogs yelped and ran around uncontrollably.

Scientists believe that animals can perceive these environmental changes as early as several days before the mishap.

In 1976 after observing animal behavior, the Chinese were able to predict a devastating earthquake. Although hundreds of thousands of people were killed, the government was able to evacuate millions of other people and thus keep the death toll at a lower level.

1

What prediction may be made by observing animal behavior?

A an impending earthquake

B the number of people who will die

C the ten-kilometer radius of the epicenter

D environmental changes

2

Why can animals perceive these changes when humans can not?

A Animals are smarter than humans.

B Animals have certain instincts that humans don’t possess.

C By running around the house, they can feel the vibrations.

D Humans don’t know where to look.

3

Which of the following is NOT true?

A Some animals may be able to sense an approaching earthquake.

B By observing animal behavior scientists perhaps can predict earthquakes.

C The Chinese have successfully predicted an earthquake and saved many lives.

D All birds and dogs in a ten-kilometer radius of the epicenter went wild before the earthquake.

4

In this passage, the word evacuate most nearly means

A remove

B exile

C destroy

D emaciate

5

If scientists can accurately predict earthquakes, there will be

A fewer animals going crazy

B a lower death rate

C fewer people evacuated

D fewer environmental changes

Questions

1

2

3

4

5