It’s important to prepare(准备) for earthquakes because you don’t know where you will be when an earthquake happens. Earthquakes may happen at any time, so prepare some things for your home, office and car.
1. Clothes.
If you live in a cold place, you must keep warm. You might not have heat after an earthquake.
Think about your warm clothes.
2.Flashlights(手电筒) and spare batteries.
Keep a flashlight beside you bed, at your office and in your car. Do not use matches(火柴) after an earthquake until you are sure that no gas leaks(气体泄漏).
Prepare a radio and some spare batteries. Most telephones will be out of order, so radios will be your best source of information(信息来源).
3. Food and medicine.
It’s always a wonderful idea to keep some food on hand. For example, some biscuits, some canned food, milk and some other drinks for at least 72 hours. You’d better get some necessary medicine for your family.
4.Water.
A person needs at least 1/2 gallon(加仑) of water daily just for drinking. Store at least 1 gallon of water for a person every day and be prepared for 72 hours. It is suggested that you buy bottled water. Do not open the bottle until you need it. Also, do check the “use by”date.
【小题1】Why should people prepare themselves for an earthquake?
A.          Because earthquakes can be know before they happen.
B.          Because earthquakes usually take place in the neighborhood.
C.          Because we don’t know when and where an earthquake will happen.
【小题2】If you live in a cold place, you should prepare _________.
A. some hot water        B. some warm clothes       C. some batteries
【小题3】According to the article we know that ___________.
A.          we need to prepare some things only at home
B.          a telephone is the most important source of information
C.          flashlights but not matches are first used after earthquakes
【小题4】You should prepare all of the following except ________.
A .milk               B. fresh vegetables           C. biscuits
【小题5】About the water, which description is RIGHT?
A.A person should drink at least 1 gallon of water in a day.
B. You shouldn’t open the bottled water until you need it.
C. You’d better keep some hot water for 72 hours.

Many people catch a cold in the spring time and / or fall.  It makes us wonder .if scientists can send a man to the moon, why they can't find a cure for the common cold. The answer is easy. There are exactly hundreds of kinds of cold viruses there. You never know which one you will get, so there isn't a cure for each one.
When a virus attacks your body, the body works hard to get rid of it. Blood rushes to your nose and brings congestion(充血)with it .You feel terrible because you can't breathe well, but your body is actually "eating" the virus. Your temperature rises and you get a fever, but the heat of your body is killing the virus. You also have a running nose to stop the virus from getting to your cells.  You may feel miserable, but actually your wonderful body is doing everything it can to kill the cold.
Different people have different remedies（治疗法）for colds. In the United States and sane other countries, for example, people might eat chicken soup to feel better. Some people take hot baths and drink warm liquids.  Other people take medicine to stop the fever, congestion, and running nose.
There is one interesting thing to note - some scientists say taking medicines when you have a cold is actually bad for you. The virus stays in you longer because your body doesn't have a way to fight it and kill it .Bodies can do an amazing job on their own.  There is a joke, however, on taking medicine when you have a cold. It goes like this:
If it takes about one week to get over a cold if you don't take medicine,  but seven days to get over a cold you take medicine.
【小题1】The scientists think   .when someone catches a cold.

Playing is serious business for children. In fact, it’s what they do best! Ask them why they do it, and kids will probably say, “Because it’s fun!” But it’s much more than that. It’s also good for them.
Studies show that from birth babies begin learning through playing. They use their five senses to get to know their new world. Touching allows them to discover how different things feel. Brightly colored toys and clothing help develop a baby’s sense of sight.
When small children choose which toy to play with, they begin developing their abilities in making decisions. Children love toys that allow them to use their imagination. Sometimes an empty box is more fun than a high-tech toy. That’s because a box can become anything a child imagines it to be.
Crayons, paints and Ply-Doh(彩色塑泥)are also good because they allow children to create. Traditional building blocks teach important pre-math skills like problem-solving.
Playing doesn’t become any less important once children start school. __＊___. Kids learn how to share, take turns and play by the rules.
【小题1】Why is playing a serious business for children?