The Disastrous Eruption

A volcanic eruption is possibly the most spectacular A (0) of the

incredible power of nature - and few eruptions in history have been __________ (1) as spectacular as that of Krakatoa.________(2) the summer of 1883 this volcano, ________(3) on an island between Java and Sumatra, had been quiet for over two hundred years. In May that year came the first ________ (4) of renewed activity. Then at 10 a.m. on 27th of August, the________ (5) island began to explode.

The explosions were heard 3,500 km________ (6) in Australia. Clouds of ash were blown 80 km into the sky, blocking_________ (7) the sun and plunging the surrounding areas into complete darkness for two and a half days. This ash _________ (8) the Earth several times, causing spectacular red sunsets all over the world __________ (9) the following year.

The eruption __________ (10) waves which were recorded as far away as South America and Hawaii. The biggest and most ________ (11) of these waves was 37 m; it ___________ (12) out 36,000 people who lived in the coastal towns of Java and Sumatra.

For the next forty-five years the region remained quiet. Then in 1927 a __________ (13) of eruptions under the sea led to the ________ (14) of a tiny island where Krakatoa once was. This "Child of Krakatoa" now stands over 200 m above sea ____________ (15).

0	A example	В item	С exhibit	D show
1	A quite	В just	С exactly	D really
2	A Until	В During	С When	D For
3	A living	В placed	С situated	D stationed
4	A clues	В flags	С notices	D signs
5	A complete	В whole	С total	D full
6	A distant	В away	С long	D far
7	A over	В uр	С out	D on
8	A rounded	В stretched	С circled	D surrounded
9	A throughout	В beyond	С without	D entire
10	A fired	В shot	С touched	D triggered
11	A wasteful	В destructive	С aggressive	D constructive
12	A cleaned	В wiped	С poured	D dished
13	A serial	В line	С bunch	D series
14	A appearance	В picture	С discovery	D aspect
15	A height	В stage	С surface	D level

Exercise 4. Read the paragraphs and put them in the right order. Render the text.

A. It was also claimed that people were evacuated to areas that were still dangerous. A few days later a group of children from Montserrat arrived in Cuba. Stress from the volcanic eruptions had affected all of these children. The volcano has destroyed many homes on the island.

B. They believed there would soon be a large explosion and the safety of the local people cannot be guaranteed. A day later people were being moved to a safe zone in the north of the island. However, local residents have strongly criticised the government, which knew about the danger over a week before but no action had been taken which put them at risk.

C. Red Cross workers took children by bus to a holiday camp. They wanted to organise leisure activities for the children and used the camp in Tarara, which after the Chernobyl disaster cared for children from the Ukraine and Russia.

D. There was a growing risk of a large volcanic explosion on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. Its main town was evacuated as scientists warned of a major eruption. The decision was made by the minister of the island. It came after a new warning had been given by scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory.

Exercise 5. Optional task. Develop your communication skills.

Making suggestions. Study the expressions in the box.

Giving opinions

I think / believe / feel...

As I see it, ...

In my opinion / view...

From my point of view...

It seems to me...

Asking for opinions

What do you think?

What's your opinion / view?

How do you feel about this?

I'd like to hear your view on this.

Agreeing

I agree (with you). True. You're /

that's right.

Yes (indeed). Quite /1 quite agree. Absolutely.

Disagreeing

I'm afraid I just can't agree with you.

I disagree (with you).

I'm not sure (about that).

Partially agreeing

Up to a point I agree with you.

I agree with you to some extent.

I see your point, but...

Expressing uncertainty

I don't know about that.

Hm ... maybe.

I’m not too sure really.

Work in groups of three. One of you is a representative of local administration, another is a scientist - seismologist, and the third is a rescue officer. Your town is situated very close to the volcano that exploded recently, but its activity has lessened by now. You are having a meeting at which you are to discuss the situation, the possibility of some new explosions, the probable danger, measures that can be undertaken to avoid it, and other current problems. Use the expressions from the box above.