We cannot stop earthquakes, but we can do things to make sure they do not destroy (破坏) whole cities. First, it is not a 1 idea to build houses along the lines where2of the earth's plates join together. Second, if you think there 3 be an earthquake, it is better to build houses on rock, not on 4. Third, you must make the houses as 5 as possible. Weak buildings will fall down in an earthquake, but strong ones may 6.

    Scientists are 7 that one day an even bigger earthquake will hit the part around S an Francisco. They call it “The Big One”. But people today are still building more 8. The population in and around San Francisco 9 is ten times more than it was in 1906. This means that 10 there is another earthquake, a great many houses and buildings will be destroyed.