Because earthquakes happen without warning, it’s important to take steps now to prepare. Because you don’t know where you will be when an earthquake happens, prepare some supplies(急需品) for your home, work place, and car.
1．Water
A person needs at least 1/2 gallon(加侖，容量單位) of water daily just for drinking. Store at least 1 gallon of water per(每一個) person per day and be prepared for a 72 hour period. It is suggested that you buy bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container(容器) and do not open it until you need to use it. Also, do check the “use by” date.
2．Food
It’s always a practical idea to keep a supply of non perishable(不易腐爛的) food on hand. Have an enough supply of canned(灌裝的) food, powdered milk(奶粉), dried fruits, non salted nuts and canned juices for at least 72 hours.
3．Flashlights(手電筒) and spare batteries(備用電池)
Keep a flashlight beside your bed, at your place of work, and in your car. Do not use matches or candles after an earthquake until you are sure that no gas leaks(泄漏).
Prepare a battery powered(裝電池的) radio and spare batteries. Most telephones will be out of order(發(fā)生故障), so radios will be your best source of information.
4．Clothes
If you live in a cold place, you must think about warmth. You might not have heat after an earthquake. Think about your clothing and bedding supplies.
根據(jù)短文內(nèi)容，選擇正確答案（10分）
【小題1】Why should people prepare themselves for an earthquake?
A、Because earthquakes can be known before they happen.
B、Because earthquakes take place without warning.
C、Because earthquakes usually take place in the neighborhood.
【小題2】About the prepared water, which description is RIGHT?
A、A person should prepare 0.5 gallon of water for one day.
B、You’d better use your own containers to keep water.
C、You shouldn’t open the bottled water until you need it.
【小題3】You should prepare all of the following except       .
A、powdered milk
B、fresh vegetables
C、dried fruits
【小題4】According to the article we know that        .
A、we need to prepare some supplies only at home
B、a telephone is the most important prepared thing
C、flashlights but not matches are first used after earthquakes
【小題5】If you live in a cold place, you should prepare       .
A、some warm clothes and bedding supplies
B、some hot water
C、some batteries

Some children cannot wait to grow up. Because once you become an adult, you are free to make your own decisions. More importantly, you can do all those things that you cannot do now because you are too young. So, the question is, ‘At what age do you really become an adult?' Well, people become adults at different ages in different places.
In Australia, the 18th birthday is a very important event for young Australians because it means they can do almost anything they want. They can vote, learn to drive a car, get married, join the army and even buy their own houses. However, even if they can do all these things, most Australians have to wait until their 21st birthday to really celebrate becoming an adult. This is the traditional adult age not only in Australia, but also in the USA and the UK. It is their first year of true independence (獨立).Traditionally, people were given a key to their houses by their parents when they turned 21, meaning they could come and go as they like.
Even though 21 is the traditional adult age in many English-speaking countries, the law nowadays is different in each country. In the UK, you can join the army at 16 and even get married at 16 if your parents allow. Young people in the UK can learn to drive a car at 17 as in Australia, although they have to wait until they are 18 to vote.
In China, there is a different age for each of the stages of becoming an adult. You can vote and learn to drive a car when you are 18, but if you want to get married, women have to wait until they are 20 and men until they are 22. Chinese people celebrate important birthdays every 10 years--so when young people turn 20, they can expect a big party!
No matter what age you are, becoming an adult is really about learning how to be independent and responsible（負責任的）. Once you are finally able to take care of yourself and make your own decisions, then you can say that you are truly all grown-ups.
【小題1】Which of the following are truly adults according to the passage?

For years I wanted a garden．I’d spend hours thinking of different things I could plant that would look nice together．
But then we had Matthew, and Marvin, and the twins Alisa and Alan, and then Helen．I was too busy raising them to grow a garden．
Money was not enough．Neither was time．Often when my children were little,
one of them would want something that cost too much, and I’d have to say, “Do you see a money tree outside? Money doesn't grow on trees, you know．”
Finally, all the children got through high school and college and were off on their own．I started thinking again about a garden．
Then, one spring morning, on Mother’s Day, I was working in my kitchen．Suddenly, I looked out of the window and there was a new tree, planted right in my yard．There were things blowing around on it．       Then I put my glasses on—and I couldn’t believe what I saw．
There was a money tree in my yard!
I went outside to look．It was true! There were dollar bills(帳單), one hundred of them, hanging all over that tree．There was also a note among them, “Thank you for your time, Mom．We love you!”
Later, my children bought me tools, ornaments, a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books．A new page started in my life．
That was three years ago．My garden’s now very pretty, just like I wanted．When I go out and take care of my flowers, I don’t seem to miss my children as much as I once did．It feels like they’re right there with me．Now every year when winter comes, I look out of my window and think of the flowers I’ll see next spring in my little garden．I think about what my children did for me, and I get tears in my eyes—every time．
I’m still not sure that money grows on trees．But I know love does!
【小題1】How many children did the writer have?