Section1: A text structure analysis of A NIGHT THE EARTH DIDN’T SLEEP
I. Type of writing and summary of the main idea
Type of writing This is a piece of descriptive writing
Main idea of the passage The article describes the cause, the course and the
result of Tang Shan earthquake in 1976. It
shows us the terrible image of earthquake. At the
same time it hits us that we must realize that
we can do something to minimize the damage
caused by earthquake.
Topic sentence of 1st paragraph Strange things were happening in the countryside in
northeast Hebei.
Topic sentence of 2nd paragraph Everything began to shake and it seemed that the
world was at an end.
Topic sentence of 3rd paragraph Everywhere they looked nearly everything was
destroyed.
Topic sentence of 4th paragraph All hope was not lost.
II. A text structure analysis
Read the text “A NIGHT THE EARTH DIDN’T SLEEP”, and then complete the following chart.
Time/ order What happened Result
three days before the earthquake
at about 3:00 am Saw: cracks
water in the wells--- rose and fell,
animals--- too nervous , hide
fish jumped out of bowls & ponds
bright light in the sky
water pipes---cracked and burst
heard: sound of planes
smelt: smelly gas in the cracks of the wells People thought little of the
events and went to bed
as usual
at 3:42 am
felt: everything shook
one-third nation felt it
heard in Beijing 100 kilometers away
a huge crack cut across houses,
roads…
saw: steam burst from holes in the ground
hard hills of rock-rivers of dirt
city lay in ruins
4 400,000 people
killed/injured
75% factories
90% home were gone
bricks covered
dams/bridges fell
not safe railway tracks
useless
cows never milk
pigs/chickens died
wells filled with sand
rescue workers and doctors trapped under the ruins
buildings fell down
water/food/electricity
hard to get
after that hope not lost
army sent 150,000 soldiers
workers built shelters for survivors
fresh water was taken to the city the city began to breathe again
III. A retold version of the text
One possible version
Strange things happened in Tang Shan. For three days the water in the village wells rose and fell. The well walls had deep cracks and a smelly gas came out the cracks. The chickens, pigs and mice were too nervous. Fish jumped out of bowls and ponds. Bright light appeared in the sky. People heard the sound of planes even when no planes were in the sky. The water pipes in some buildings cracked and burst.
At 3:42 am everything began to shake. It seemed that the world was at the end! One-third of the nation felt it. A huge crack cut across the city. In fifteen terrible seconds a large city lay in ruins. Two-thirds of the people died or were injured. Nearly everything was destroyed in the city. 75% of its factories and 90% of its homes were gone. Then later that afternoon, another big earthquake shook Tangshan. People began to wonder how long the disaster would last.
But all hope was not lost. The army sent 150,000 soldiers to help them. Workers built shelters for survivors. Slowly, the city began to breathe again.
Section 2: Background information on EARTHQUAKES
I. Zhang Heng
Zhang Heng (张衡) (78AD—139AD) was an astronomer, mathematician, artist and literary scholar（文学学者）in the Eastern Han Dynasty of China.
Born in today’s Nangyang County, Henan, he was a good writer at age 12. At the age of 16, he left home to pursue(从事) his studying the capital city. He spent at least 10 years of his youth in literary studies and writing. He published several well-recognized literary writings. He switched to(转向) astronomy after age 30.
In the year 123 he corrected the calendar to bring it into line with the seasons.
In 132 Zhang Heng invented the first seismograph(地震仪) for measuring earthquakes. His device was in the shape of a cylinder(圆柱体) with eight dragon heads around the top, each with a ball in its mouth. Around the bottom were eight frogs, each directly under a dragon head. When an earthquake occurred, a ball fell out of the dragon’s mouth into a frog’s mouth, making a noise. He also invented the odometer(里程表)
Zhang Heng was the first person in China to construct a rotating celestial globe.
In one of his publications he also proposed π= 730/232 (or about 3.1466) .
II. Earthquake Survival Tips
Would you know what to do during a really big earthquake? Experts have looked into matter carefully. It may be worth you while to look over the following tips they have for us.
If the ground begins shaking while you are driving, pull over and stay in your car. If you are in a building, try to get near a strong wall. The corner of the room or the space under a big doorway is the safest. As soon as the quake is over, check the gas pipe in the building. Gas fires often result from earthquakes. These tips may prove to be lifesavers. We should, therefore, keep them in mind. Remember to always hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Escape in the School
If it has an earthquake when having classes, the students should listen to the teacher’s instruction, protect their heads and hide under the desks.
If it has an earthquake when the students are in the sports ground, they can crouch on the spot and protect their heads with hands. Be sure to keep away with high building and dangerous objects.
Don’t go back to the classroom.
Retreat in order after the earthquake.
Escape in Public Places
Listen to the command of the site workers. Don’t be scared and don’t rush towards the exits. Try to avoid crowds. Avoid to be squeezed to the wall or barriers.
At theaters and gyms: crouch down or slip under the chairs; avoid suspending lights and electric fans; protect the head with schoolbags; after the earthquake, listen to the command of the workers, retreat in an organized way.
In department stores, bookstores, museums or subway: find firm counters, commodities (low furniture etc.) or a pillar, or the corner of a wall to crouch down on the spot, protect the heads with hands or other objects; keep away from glass windows, glass counters or show counters; keep away from tall cupboards; keep away from advertisement boards and other suspending objects.
On buses or trolley buses: Grasp the handles to avoid being injured; lower the center of gravity; hide near the seats; get off after the earthquake passed.