Earthquakes

When an earthquake occurs, part of the Earth's surface moves. In fact, the surface of the Earth moves all the time. The tectonic plates which make up the surface press against each other very slowly. Over thousands of years, this movement creates great stress. In some places where the layers of rock are weak, this eventually causes a sudden movement – an earthquake. Thousands of earthquakes happen every day, but most are very small and cause no damage. A large Earthquake shakes buildings to the ground, or causes a tsunami wave. The effects are usually very serious. Severe earthquakes are common in southern Europe, and on I November 1755 a powerful earthquake hit the city of Lisbon in Portugal. Between 60,000 and 100,000 people died. After the earthquake a tsunami struck the city, and there was also a fire, which caused nearly total destruction. People as far away as Finland felt the shock, and the tsunami reached Barbados in the West Indies. Geologists now believe that the strength of the earthquake was as high as 9 on the Richter scale. This is the same strength as the Indian Ocean earthquake of 26 December 2004.

1. Part of the Earth's crust moves when an earthquake occurs.

What ____________________________________________?

2. The movement of tectonic plates creates this stress.

What ____________________________________________?

3. Thousands happen every day.

How many ________________________________________?

4. It shakes buildings or causes a tsunami wave.

What ____________________________________________?

5. On 1 November 1755.

When ____________________________________________?

6. Between 60,000 and 100,000.

How many ________________________________________?

7. In Finland.

In which distant country ______________________________?

8. That the strength of the earthquake was as high as 9 on the Richter scale.

What _____________________________________________?

9. On 26 December 2004.

When _____________________________________________?

10. 9 on the Richter scale.

How strong ________________________________________?

Exercise 14. Mrs Peterson is the manager of a large firm. Today, she’s interviewing Miss Lamport for the position of Accountant Manager. Use question words from the list and the prompts below to ask and answer questions.

where, how much, which/what, how many, why, when, how long, how

Example: Mrs Peterson: Where did you study?

Miss Lamport: I studied at Bristol University.

1. study? Bristol University

2. subject/study? Mathematics

3. course/last? Three years

4. companies/you/ work for? Two

5. you/hear/about this job? See/an advertisement in the newspaper

6. want/to work/here? Hear/good things about the company

7. you/expect/to be paid? About $20 000 a year

8. you/be able to/start? Next month

9. drive/car? No

10. speak/foreign languages? Yes

11. use/computer? Yes

12. enjoy doing in your spare time? Reading

13. work well under pressure? No

14. where/live? Linden Str, New York