Japan is no stranger to powerful earthquakes, and the recent magnitude 7.5 quake is a testament to the country’s advanced monitoring capabilities. With a network of GPS stations strategically placed across the country, scientists can accurately measure the movement of the ground during an earthquake. In the case of this earthquake, the land moved as much as 130cm to the west. Satellite images taken before and after the earthquake also show the Earth’s surface rising up under the force of the tremor.

One fortunate consequence of the ground movement was the lessened impact of the tsunami waves generated off the coast. The uplift of the land may have reduced the height of the waves when they reached the shoreline. Despite the destruction caused by the earthquake, the number of deaths has been relatively low compared to similar events in other countries. This can be attributed to Japan’s preparedness and investment in infrastructure and population resilience. The country has strict building codes and a well-trained population that knows how to respond to tremors. Japan also has one of the most advanced early warning systems in the world, which provides notifications to TV, radio, and cell networks.

While scientists cannot predict the timing and scale of an earthquake, the early warning system in Japan provides valuable seconds of notice before the most severe shaking begins. This allows for important actions to be taken, such as opening doors at fire stations and applying brakes on high-speed trains. The population is also trained to “drop, cover, and hold on” during an earthquake. Japan’s proactive approach to earthquake preparedness has significantly reduced the number of casualties in comparison to other countries that have experienced similar events.

Original news source: How Japan’s big quake shifted the land (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will take turns choosing a word or phrase related to earthquakes or earthquake preparedness from a hat. Without speaking, one member of the group must act out the word or phrase while the other group members try to guess what it is. The group that guesses correctly gets a point. The group with the most points at the end wins.

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and then take turns summarizing the main points to their partner. Each student should try to include as much detail as possible in their summary. After both partners have shared, they should discuss any similarities or differences in their summaries.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: The teacher will write several statements related to the article on the board, such as “Japan’s early warning system is effective” or “Building codes are essential for earthquake preparedness.” Students will then vote on each statement by standing on one side of the room if they agree and the other side if they disagree. After each vote, students can discuss their reasons for their opinions.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. One student will be the “reader” and the other will be the “listener.” The reader has one minute to read a section of the article to the listener. After one minute, the reader must stop and the listener has one minute to summarize what they heard. Then, switch roles and repeat with another section of the article. Afterward, pairs can share their summaries with the class.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will create a list of pros and cons related to earthquake preparedness in Japan. They can use the article as a reference, as well as their own knowledge and opinions. Afterward, each group will share their lists with the class and discuss their reasoning behind each point.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. How does Japan’s network of GPS stations help measure the movement of the ground during an earthquake?
2. What evidence is there that the recent earthquake caused the Earth’s surface to rise up?
3. How did the uplift of the land lessen the impact of the tsunami waves?
4. What factors contribute to the relatively low number of deaths in Japan compared to other countries during earthquakes?
5. What types of notifications does Japan’s early warning system provide during an earthquake?
6. What actions can be taken during the seconds of notice provided by the early warning system?
7. What is the population in Japan trained to do during an earthquake?
8. How has Japan’s proactive approach to earthquake preparedness affected the number of casualties compared to other countries?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Japan is no stranger to powerful earthquakes, and the recent magnitude 7.5 quake is a testament to the country’s advanced monitoring capabilities. With a network of GPS (1)______ strategically (2)______ across the country, scientists can accurately measure the (3)______ of the ground during an earthquake. In the case of this earthquake, the land moved as much as 130cm to the west. Satellite (4)______ taken before and after the earthquake also show the Earth’s surface rising up under the (5)______ of the tremor.

One fortunate (6)______ of the ground movement was the lessened (7)______ of the tsunami waves generated off the coast. The uplift of the land may have reduced the height of the waves when they reached the shoreline. Despite the destruction caused by the earthquake, the number of deaths has been relatively low compared to similar (8)______ in other countries. This can be attributed to Japan’s preparedness and investment in infrastructure and population resilience. The country has strict building codes and a well-trained population that knows how to respond to tremors. Japan also has one of the most advanced early (9)______ systems in the (10)______, which provides notifications to TV, (11)______, and cell networks.

While scientists cannot predict the timing and scale of an (12)______, the early warning system in Japan provides valuable seconds of notice before the most severe shaking begins. This allows for important actions to be taken, such as (13)______ doors at fire stations and applying brakes on high-speed trains. The population is also trained to “drop, cover, and hold on” during an earthquake. Japan’s proactive approach to earthquake preparedness has significantly (14)______ the (15)______ of casualties in (16)______ to other countries that have experienced similar events.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the significance of Japan’s advanced monitoring capabilities in predicting and measuring earthquakes?
2. How would you feel if you lived in a country prone to frequent earthquakes? Why?
3. Do you think it is important for countries to invest in infrastructure and population resilience in order to minimize the impact of natural disasters? Why or why not?
4. What is the role of building codes in minimizing casualties during earthquakes?
5. How do you think Japan’s early warning system contributes to earthquake preparedness?
6. Do you think it is possible for scientists to predict the timing and scale of earthquakes in the future? Why or why not?
7. How would you react if you received a few seconds of notice before a severe earthquake? Why?
8. What are some important actions that can be taken during an earthquake to ensure safety?
9. Do you think other countries should adopt Japan’s “drop, cover, and hold on” approach to earthquake response? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the experience of living in a country prone to earthquakes would impact a person’s daily life?
11. What are some potential challenges or drawbacks of living in a country with advanced earthquake monitoring capabilities?
12. How would you feel if you had to constantly worry about the possibility of an earthquake occurring in your area? Why?
13. Do you think it is worth investing in advanced monitoring capabilities for natural disasters? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the experience of living through a powerful earthquake would change a person’s perspective on life?
15. What lessons can other countries learn from Japan’s approach to earthquake preparedness?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. testament
2. strategically
3. magnitude
4. tremor
5. uplift
6. infrastructure
7. resilience
8. tremors
9. notifications
10. proactive
11. casualties
12. satellite
13. advanced
14. monitoring
15. capabilities

Meanings:
(A) A measure of the energy released by an earthquake
(B) A proof or demonstration of some fact
(C) The act of observing and checking the progress or quality of something over a period of time
(D) An artificial body placed in orbit around the earth or another planet in order to collect information or for communication
(E) Alerts or warnings sent to inform people of a situation
(F) Vibrations or quivering movements of the earth’s surface
(G) Taking action in anticipation of future problems or needs
(H) Done with careful planning to achieve a particular goal or advantage
(I) The power or skill to do something
(J) A shaking or vibrating movement, as of the earth
(K) The basic physical systems of a community or nation
(L) People injured or killed in an accident or disaster
(M) The act of raising or being raised up
(N) Highly developed or sophisticated
(O) The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or adversity
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is one advantage of Japan’s advanced monitoring capabilities during earthquakes?
(a) Prediction of the timing and scale of earthquakes
(b) Prevention of tsunami waves
(c) Reduction of casualties
(d) Accurate measurement of ground movement

2. How much did the land move during the recent magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Japan?
(a) 100cm to the east
(b) 50cm to the north
(c) 130cm to the west
(d) 200cm to the south

3. What fortunate consequence of the ground movement helped lessen the impact of the tsunami waves?
(a) Uplift of the land
(b) Decrease in earthquake magnitude
(c) Increase in building codes
(d) Investment in infrastructure

4. What is one reason for the relatively low number of deaths in Japan compared to other countries during earthquakes?
(a) Japan’s preparedness and investment in infrastructure
(b) Lack of earthquakes in Japan
(c) Advanced early warning systems in other countries
(d) Lack of population resilience in other countries

5. What actions can be taken during an earthquake with the valuable seconds of notice provided by Japan’s early warning system?
(a) Evacuating the entire population
(b) Opening doors at fire stations and applying brakes on high-speed trains
(c) Building more GPS stations
(d) Ignoring the warnings and continuing with daily activities

6. What is one way that Japan’s population is trained to respond during an earthquake?
(a) “Run, hide, and seek shelter”
(b) “Jump, shout, and run away”
(c) “Stand still, look up, and scream”
(d) “Drop, cover, and hold on”

7. What is one advantage of Japan’s strict building codes?
(a) Increase in the number of earthquakes
(b) Reduction of casualties during earthquakes
(c) Prevention of tsunami waves
(d) Prediction of earthquake timing

8. What does Japan’s early warning system provide notifications to?
(a) GPS stations and satellite images
(b) Fire stations and high-speed trains
(c) TV, radio, and cell networks
(d) Tsunami waves and tremors

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Japan has a few GPS stations randomly placed across the country to measure ground movement during earthquakes.
2. Japan has one of the least advanced early warning systems in the world, lacking notifications to TV, radio, and cell networks.
3. Japan’s high number of casualties can be attributed to the country’s lack of preparedness and investment in infrastructure and population resilience.
4. The recent magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Japan caused the land to move as much as 130cm to the west.
5. Despite the minimal destruction caused by the earthquake, the number of deaths in Japan has been significantly high compared to similar events in other countries.
6. Japan has strict building codes and a well-trained population that knows how to respond to tremors.
7. Satellite images taken before and after the earthquake show the Earth’s surface rising up under the force of the tremor.
8. The uplift of the land during the earthquake may have lessened the impact of the tsunami waves generated off the coast.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. How does Japan’s network of GPS stations help scientists measure the movement of the ground during an earthquake?
2. What fortunate consequence did the ground movement have on the impact of the tsunami waves generated off the coast?
3. What factors contribute to the relatively low number of deaths in Japan compared to other countries during earthquakes?
4. What actions can be taken during the valuable seconds of notice provided by Japan’s early warning system?
5. How has Japan’s proactive approach to earthquake preparedness reduced the number of casualties compared to other countries?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Japan’s network of GPS stations helps measure the movement of the ground during an earthquake by accurately tracking the movement of the land.
2. Satellite images taken before and after the earthquake show the Earth’s surface rising up under the force of the tremor.
3. The uplift of the land may have reduced the height of the tsunami waves when they reached the shoreline.
4. Japan’s preparedness and investment in infrastructure and population resilience contribute to the relatively low number of deaths. This includes strict building codes, a well-trained population, and an advanced early warning system.
5. Japan’s early warning system provides notifications to TV, radio, and cell networks.
6. During the seconds of notice provided by the early warning system, actions such as opening doors at fire stations and applying brakes on high-speed trains can be taken.
7. The population in Japan is trained to “drop, cover, and hold on” during an earthquake.
8. Japan’s proactive approach to earthquake preparedness has significantly reduced the number of casualties compared to other countries that have experienced similar events.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) stations
(2) placed
(3) movement
(4) images
(5) force
(6) consequence
(7) impact
(8) events
(9) warning
(10) world
(11) radio
(12) earthquake
(13) opening
(14) reduced
(15) number
(16) comparison
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. testament
Answer: (B) A proof or demonstration of some fact

2. strategically
Answer: (H) Done with careful planning to achieve a particular goal or advantage

3. magnitude
Answer: (A) A measure of the energy released by an earthquake

4. tremor
Answer: (J) A shaking or vibrating movement, as of the earth

5. uplift
Answer: (M) The act of raising or being raised up

6. infrastructure
Answer: (K) The basic physical systems of a community or nation

7. resilience
Answer: (O) The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or adversity

8. tremors
Answer: (F) Vibrations or quivering movements of the earth’s surface

9. notifications
Answer: (E) Alerts or warnings sent to inform people of a situation

10. proactive
Answer: (G) Taking action in anticipation of future problems or needs

11. casualties
Answer: (L) People injured or killed in an accident or disaster

12. satellite
Answer: (D) An artificial body placed in orbit around the earth or another planet in order to collect information or for communication

13. advanced
Answer: (N) Highly developed or sophisticated

14. monitoring
Answer: (C) The act of observing and checking the progress or quality of something over a period of time

15. capabilities
Answer: (I) The power or skill to do something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is one advantage of Japan’s advanced monitoring capabilities during earthquakes?
Answer: (d) Accurate measurement of ground movement

2. How much did the land move during the recent magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Japan?
Answer: (c) 130cm to the west

3. What fortunate consequence of the ground movement helped lessen the impact of the tsunami waves?
Answer: (a) Uplift of the land

4. What is one reason for the relatively low number of deaths in Japan compared to other countries during earthquakes?
Answer: (a) Japan’s preparedness and investment in infrastructure

5. What actions can be taken during an earthquake with the valuable seconds of notice provided by Japan’s early warning system?
Answer: (b) Opening doors at fire stations and applying brakes on high-speed trains

6. What is one way that Japan’s population is trained to respond during an earthquake?
Answer: (d) “Drop, cover, and hold on”

7. What is one advantage of Japan’s strict building codes?
Answer: (b) Reduction of casualties during earthquakes

8. What does Japan’s early warning system provide notifications to?
Answer: (c) TV, radio, and cell networks
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Japan has a few GPS stations randomly placed across the country to measure ground movement during earthquakes. (Answer: False)
2. Japan has one of the least advanced early warning systems in the world, lacking notifications to TV, radio, and cell networks. (Answer: False)
3. Japan’s high number of casualties can be attributed to the country’s lack of preparedness and investment in infrastructure and population resilience. (Answer: False)
4. The recent magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Japan caused the land to move as much as 130cm to the west. (Answer: True)
5. Despite the minimal destruction caused by the earthquake, the number of deaths in Japan has been significantly high compared to similar events in other countries. (Answer: False)
6. Japan has strict building codes and a well-trained population that knows how to respond to tremors. (Answer: True)
7. Satellite images taken before and after the earthquake show the Earth’s surface rising up under the force of the tremor. (Answer: True)
8. The uplift of the land during the earthquake may have lessened the impact of the tsunami waves generated off the coast. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧