1.Listen to the tape and then tell whether they are true or false.

(1). F  The man was just awake when the earthquake happened.

(2). T

(3). T

(4). F Some cows dropped into a deep crack in Market Street.

(5). F He felt safer when he was being cared for by the soldiers after he got away from the city.

2.Listen to the tape again and answer the following questions

(1).When did the earthquake begin?

The earthquake began around 5 o’clock in the morning.

(2).What did the speaker do after he woke up?

The speaker rushed outside as soon as he woke up.

(3). What did he see and hear outside?

When he got outside he thought the world had come to an end. He heard people crying and shouting. He saw people running everywhere and bricks falling down from buildings. There were big fires too.

(4).What happened to the man next to him?

The man next to him was killed by bricks falling from a nearby building.

(5).How did he get away from the city?

He got away from the city by boat.

(6).Which of your adjectives describe the man’s feelings most closely?

Very shocked, devastated.

Listening text1

A reporter is asking a man to describe his experience in the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.

R= reporter     M= man

R: What was the first thing you remember?

M: Oh, my goodness. It was about 5 o'clock in the morning. I remember, I woke up when I was thrown out of the bed. When I tried to walk, the floor shook so that I fell. I felt terrified and rushed downstairs.

R: What did you see out side?

M: Oh, I saw things I never want to see again. It seemed as if the end of the world came. People were crying, shouting and running everywhere. Bricks were falling down from some buildings while big ones were shaking…Lots of people were getting buried under bricks. There were great fires around us. It was terrible!

R: Did you realize what was happening?

M: No. I asked a man standing next to me what happened. Before he could answer, some bricks fell on him and he was killed.

R: That sounds frightening. Did you know where to find a safer place?

M: Oh, no. Luckily I met a man who knew the way to a boat.

R: So…you got away easily?

M: No, we didn't. It was difficult because the streets had deep cracks. As we were carefully picking ore way, some frightened cows rushed uo Market Street an dropped into one of them. I'll never forget the noise they made. Some of them had broken their legs and others were climbing upon each other to get out. Horrible!

R: How did you feel once you'd left the city?

M: Umm. I felt safer because we were being cared for. The soldiers saved us. They brought us water and food. Thanks to them many of us are still alive!