Florence Nightingale was born in a rich family.When she was young she took lessons in music and drawing，and read a lot of books.She also travelled a great deal with her mother and father.

As a child she felt that visiting sick people was both a duty and a pleasure.She enjoyed helping them.At last her mind was made up.“I'm going to be a nurse，” she decided.“Nursing isn't the right work for a lady，” her father told her.

       “Then I will make it so，” she smiled.And she went to learn nursing in Germany and France.When she returned to England，Florence started a nursing home for women.

      During the Crimean War in 1854 she went with a group of thirty-eight nurses to the front hospitals.What they saw there was terrible.Dirt and death were everywhere to be seen and smelled.The officer there did not want any woman to tell him how to run a hospital，either.But the brave nurses went to work.

      Florence used her own money and some from friends to buy clothes，beds，medicines and food for the men.Her only pay was in smiles from the lips of dying soldiers.But they were more than enough for this kind woman.

      After war she returned to England and was honoured for her services by Queen Victoria.But Florence said that her work had just begun.She raised money to build the Nightingale Home for Nurses in London.She also wrote a book on public health，which was printed in several countries.

Florence Nightingale died at the age of ninety，still trying to serve others through her work as a nurse.Indeed，it is because of her that we honour nurses today.

            As scientists learn more about the causes of earthquakes, they become better able to predict them. First of all, they know that quakes are1to occur in areas where the tectonic(地壳构造的)plates push2each other. They3these areas closely, using different instruments. They4the vibrations(震动)of the earth with seismographs(地震仪), which5on rolls of paper all movements, both large and small. Scientists usually use the Richter scale(里氏震级) ， 6after a famous seismologist, for these measurements. When an earthquake measures over 4.5 on the Richter scale, it is7enough to cause damage. Scientists have determined that a(an)8is not likely to have a large9when many small quakes have been10. When the small quakes stop, then pressure11and a strong quake is more likely.

          There are several other12to predict earthquakes. Scientists can measure the tiny13in the tilt(倾斜)of the land that happen before an earthquake occurs. Increases in the amount of radon(氡), a substance found in deep14 ， as well as a high level of water in the wells, can also15that an earthquake is likely to occur. In addition, scientists have found that some animals, like dogs, behave16before an earthquake: they become17and howl.

           Seismologists have18_predicted several earthquakes, such as the earthquake which occurred in Zhangjiakou, China in 1998. 19 ，  not all earthquakes are predictable, and a system for predicting is not yet20.

Earthquake Safety Procedures

An earthquake is a naturaldisaster which occurs when the surface of the earth experiences some kind ofshaking.This happens when the plates of the Earth move together, putting somuch pressure on it that it causes the breakage of the earth's crust.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Whatever be the reason of theearthquake, it not only has the ability to destruct and damage buildings,houses，electric poles,trees, etc., but also to take the lives of living beings.Therefore, it isimportant for people to know about earthquake safety procedures.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

One of the main reasons due towhich people lose their life during an earthquake is because they getpanicky.Though it is very difficult to remain calm when the earth under you isshaking，it is very importantto be so.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}If you are inside yourhouse or office when the earthquake begins, do not try to run out of thebuilding.This is because it has been reported that most of the deaths arecaused when people try to move outside the building.When you start experiencingthe vibration, the first thing that you should do is to get under a strong bedor table.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}You can use pillow,newspapers, blanket, big boxes, etc., to protect yourself from fallingremains.Another thing that you have to remember is that you should stay awayfrom china cabinets, tall shelves, mirrors, huge furniture, glass windows,sliding doors, etc., during an earthquake.This is because the shaking andvibration can cause them to fall.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}However,even if you do so, never use the elevator during an earthquake because theelectricity may go off, leaving you stuck in there.

A．Theywill help them to be safe during an earthquake.

B．Youshould ensure that you and your family are safe.

C．Makesure that you stay inside the car till the earthquake stops.

D．AsI said earlier, it is best to avoid trying to run out of the building.

E．Sometimes,volcanic activity can also give rise to an earthquake, too.

F．Otherthan this, it would also be a good idea to cover your head and face.

G．Thebest thing that you can do is to stay at a place till the earthquake stops.