Lesson 70 Earthquake
Topic Question: Japan has earthquakes, right?
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself
Think about Japan’s geographical location and how it affects the country’s experience with natural disasters, especially earthquakes.
▮ Sample Answer
“Yes, Japan experiences earthquakes frequently due to its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire. This geographic area is known for its high levels of seismic activity, leading to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Japan has developed advanced technology and strict building codes to mitigate the impact of these natural events.”
▮ Words to Learn and Their Meanings about Sample Answer
- Geographical location (地理的位置): The specific place where something is located on the Earth’s surface.
- Seismic activity (地震活動): Movements within the Earth’s crust that cause earthquakes.
- Pacific Ring of Fire (太平洋火山帯): An area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
- Mitigate (軽減する): To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
- Building codes (建築基準法): Regulations that specify the standards for constructed objects such as buildings and nonbuilding structures.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s 3 Questions Based on the Sample Answer
- Why does Japan experience earthquakes frequently?
- What is the Pacific Ring of Fire?
- How has Japan worked to mitigate the impact of earthquakes?
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar
still yet already
Still
still = something is the same as before:
● I had a lot to eat, but I’m still hungry. (= I was hungry before, and I’m hungry now)
● “ Did you sell your car?” “ No, I still have it.”
● “ Do you still live in Los Angeles;” “No, I live in San Francisco now.”
Yet
yet = until now
We use yet in negative sentences (He hasn’t come yet.) and in questions (Has he come yet?).
Yet is usually at the end of a sentence:
● A: Where’s Emma?
B: She isn’t here yet. (= she will be here, but until now she hasn’t come)
● A: What are you doing tonight?
B: I don’t know yet. (= I will know later, but I don’t know now)
● A: Are you ready co go yet?
B: Not yet. In a minute. (= I will be ready, but I’m not ready now)
● A: Have you decided what to do yet?
B: No, I’m still thinking about it.
Compare yet and still:
● She hasn’t left yet. = She’s still here. (not she is yet here)
● I haven’t finished my homework yet.= I’m still doing it.
Already = earlier than expected:
● “ What time is Joe coming?” “He’s already here.” (= earlier than we expected)
● “ I’m going to tell you what happened.” “That’s not necessary. I already know.”
3 Example Sentences Based on the Sample Answer and Grammar Practice:
- The government is still evaluating the damage from the last earthquake.
- Have you felt any tremors yet today?
- The emergency response team has already been dispatched to the affected areas.
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself:
