On the first day of class, a graduate student from Xi’an Jiaotong University reminded me that, especially in China, “There are always two sides of a coin.” Experiencing China’s May 12 earthquake while living in Xi’an, Shanxi Province just north of the earthquake’s epicenter (地震的震中) in Sichuan with our two daughters, we have indeed seen both sides of what is beginning to be called China’s 5·12 disaster coin.

         On television, in newspapers and through the Internet, we learned about the extent (巨大，重要性) of the destruction, and the statistics were horrific – over 69,000 confirmed (确认) dead, some 18,000 missing and more than 374,000 injured.

When we turn off the television and discuss what we as a family have learned from the events of the last several weeks, we find ourselves marveling (觉得惊奇) at how the Chinese are confidently but quietly dealing with this unprecedented tragedy – a disaster that continues with every aftershocks, mudslide and potential flood.

It seems like every school, organization and business is raising money for Sichuan, and young people all over the country are out in the streets looking for donations or giving blood at the many mobile blood vans that are out in full force.

Those who cannot give, like the 75-year-old woman from Sichuan, are volunteering or giving in other ways. An impressive example is the Sichuan policewoman with a newborn child who was nursing many infants whose mothers were killed in the quake.

The national concern over the fate of affected children has been moving. On May 22, there were 1697 orphans, but on June 24, the number dropped to 558; and rest assured, there are more people willing to adopt than there are orphans from Sichuan.

So, while no country or person ever welcomes tragedy, especially something of this magnitude (程度), the earthquake has taught us a great deal about China’s true character and its people’s resilience (韧性). It has also reminded us that the other side of even a dark coin may hold the promise of a brighter future,

(The author is an American Professor of International Relations at Xi’an Jiaotong University.)

1.

 When the 5·12 earthquake happened, the author and his family were ________.

   A. in Sichuan province              B. near the earthquake epicenter

   C. in Xi’an Jiaotong University       D. in their own country

2.

How many orphans had been adopted from Sichuan by June 24, 2008?

   A. 1139        B. 1697         C. 558           D. We don’t know.

3.

The author quoted “ There are always two sides of a coin.” In the passage. Here “ two sides” refers to ________.

   A. a dark side and a bright one of a coin

   B. the unprecedented tragedy and China’s true character

   C. the dead and the victims in the earthquake

   D. the destruction and the donations

4.

 Which of the following statements is NOT right according to the passage?

   A. The whole world has seen all about China’s 5·12 disaster in the news media.

   B. A policewoman fed her breast milk to many babies who lost their mothers.

   C. Even a 75-year-old woman gave blood at the mobile blood vans.

   D. The earthquake brought other natural disasters at the same time.

任务型阅读（共10小题；每小题1分，满分10分）

On the morning of Apr. 20, different from any other Saturdays, a powerful earthquake which measured 7.0 magnitude occurred in Ya’an, Sichuan Province. The quake happened close to the area where 70,000 died when another powerful hit took place in 2008. The 4.20 earthquake shook Sichuan with 208 people missing or dead. Nearly 14, 000 are reported to have been injured. Thousands of buildings collapsed, leaving victims homeless. Water and electricity supplies were cut off, which left concerns about the welfare of the survivors. In Lushan, where the most of the damage was concentrated, facilities of communication broke down. Victims lost contact with the outside world.

All the country have been shocked at the tragic news. Numerous relief is pouring in from all over China to the victims of the Lushan earthquake. Governments of all levels have taken some efficient measures to relieve the impact of earthquake. On Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made it to the worst-stricken Lushan, issuing several statements to ensure rescuing the buried and other injured people. Meanwhile, he visited some of those being treated for their injuries in the temporary hospitals set up with an open-air emergency facility. Rows of Red Cross tents are now home to some of the thousands left homeless by this deadly earthquake. State media says thousands of troops along with volunteers help with the rescue operation and to hand out supplies.

People from across the country are called on to donate to relieve and help rebuild the earthquake-hit area. Lots of students ranging from university students to kindergarten kids have given away their pocket money just to do their own bit in this relief campaign. Hong Kong special government at first proposed to donate 100 million HONG Kong dollars, which was rejected by some of members of government’s parliament（议员）, who questioned whether China’s Red Cross could put every cent into practical use honestly, for in 2008 Wenchuan earthquake China’s Red Cross failed to make it clear how they spent the charity money. Anyway the proposal was at last passed on May 3. At the same time, China’s Red Cross, determined to make a bit change, promised to give a detailed account of where every cent would go.

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On the morning of Apr. 20, different from any other Saturdays, a powerful earthquake which measured 7.0 magnitude occurred in Ya’an, Sichuan Province. The quake happened close to the area where 70,000 died when another powerful hit took place in 2008. The 4.20 earthquake shook Sichuan with 208 people missing or dead. Nearly 14, 000 are reported to have been injured. Thousands of buildings collapsed, leaving victims homeless. Water and electricity supplies were cut off, which left concerns about the welfare of the survivors. In Lushan, where the most of the damage was concentrated, facilities of communication broke down. Victims lost contact with the outside world.

All the country have been shocked at the tragic news. Numerous relief is pouring in from all over China to the victims of the Lushan earthquake. Governments of all levels have taken some efficient measures to relieve the impact of earthquake. On Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made it to the worst-stricken Lushan, issuing several statements to ensure rescuing the buried and other injured people. Meanwhile, he visited some of those being treated for their injuries in the temporary hospitals set up with an open-air emergency facility. Rows of Red Cross tents are now home to some of the thousands left homeless by this deadly earthquake. State media says thousands of troops along with volunteers help with the rescue operation and to hand out supplies.

People from across the country are called on to donate to relieve and help rebuild the earthquake-hit area. Lots of students ranging from university students to kindergarten kids have given away their pocket money just to do their own bit in this relief campaign. Hong Kong special government at first proposed to donate 100 million HONG Kong dollars, which was rejected by some of members of government’s parliament（议员）, who questioned whether China’s Red Cross could put every cent into practical use honestly, for in 2008 Wenchuan earthquake China’s Red Cross failed to make it clear how they spent the charity money. Anyway the proposal was at last passed on May 3. At the same time, China’s Red Cross, determined to make a bit change, promised to give a detailed account of where every cent would go.    

On the first day of class, a graduate student from Xi’an Jiaotong University reminded me that, especially in China, “There are always two sides of a coin.” Experiencing China’s May 12 earthquake while living in Xi’an, Shanxi Province just north of the earthquake’s epicenter (地震的震中) in Sichuan with our two daughters, we have indeed seen both sides of what is beginning to be called China’s 5·12 disaster coin.
On television, in newspapers and through the Internet, we learned about the extent (巨大，重要性) of the destruction, and the statistics were horrific – over 69,000 confirmed (确认) dead, some 18,000 missing and more than 374,000 injured.
When we turn off the television and discuss what we as a family have learned from the events of the last several weeks, we find ourselves marveling (觉得惊奇) at how the Chinese are confidently but quietly dealing with this unprecedented tragedy – a disaster that continues with every aftershocks, mudslide and potential flood.
It seems like every school, organization and business is raising money for Sichuan, and young people all over the country are out in the streets looking for donations or giving blood at the many mobile blood vans that are out in full force.
Those who cannot give, like the 75-year-old woman from Sichuan, are volunteering or giving in other ways. An impressive example is the Sichuan policewoman with a newborn child who was nursing many infants whose mothers were killed in the quake.
The national concern over the fate of affected children has been moving. On May 22, there were 1697 orphans, but on June 24, the number dropped to 558; and rest assured, there are more people willing to adopt than there are orphans from Sichuan.
So, while no country or person ever welcomes tragedy, especially something of this magnitude (程度), the earthquake has taught us a great deal about China’s true character and its people’s resilience (韧性). It has also reminded us that the other side of even a dark coin may hold the promise of a brighter future,
(The author is an American Professor of International Relations at Xi’an Jiaotong University.)
【小题1】
When the 5·12 earthquake happened, the author and his family were ________.