The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a 7.0 magnitude earthquake centered near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Over 300,000 people were injured and over 300,000 left homeless. The death toll was estimated to be between 217,000-230,000. Communication systems and infrastructure were damaged, hampering relief efforts. Port-au-Prince's morgues were overwhelmed and tens of thousands were buried in mass graves. As search and rescue efforts ended, aid distribution and sanitation became priorities.

1. 2010 Haiti earthquake<br />The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake. Its epicentre was near the town of Léogâne, approximately 25 km (16 miles) west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time (21:53 UTC) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010. By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had been recorded. As of Feb. 12, an estimated three million people were affected by the quake; the Haitian Government reports that between 217,000 and 230,000 people had been identified as dead, an estimated 300,000 injured, and an estimated 1,000,000 homeless. The death toll is expected to rise. They also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged. <br />Many countries responded to appeals for humanitarian aid, pledging funds and dispatching rescue and medical teams, engineers and support personnel. Communication systems, air, land, and sea transport facilities, hospitals, and electrical networks had been damaged by the earthquake, which hampered rescue and aid efforts; confusion over who was in charge, air traffic congestion, and problems with prioritisation of flights further complicated early relief work. Port-au-Prince's morgues were quickly overwhelmed; tens of thousands of bodies were buried in mass graves. As rescues tailed off, supplies, medical care and sanitation became priorities. Delays in aid distribution led to angry appeals from aid workers and survivors, and some looting and sporadic violence were observed.<br />On 22 January the United Nations noted that the emergency phase of the relief operation was drawing to a close, and on the following day the Haitian government officially called off the search for survivors.<br />Adapted for educational purposes by Sergio Pérez Tabares http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake <br /> 1.-Say whether the following sentences are TRUE OR FALSE according to the text. Copy the evidence from the text. No marks will be given without the evidence. (1.5 points).<br />The number of dead is going to lower<br />Violent acts are from time to time.<br />The local authorities kept on looking for survivors until February.<br />2.-Choose ONLY THREE of the following words and write a synonym (=), an opposite (=), a definition or a sentence to show that you understand their meaning in the text. Use your own words (1.5 points)<br />a) injuredd) rise<br />b) appealse) overwhelmed<br />c) suppliesf) sporadic<br />3.-Dr Thomson is phoning the Red Cross Headquarters to ask for information about a casualty in the earthquake. This is part of their conversation. Some sentences have been left incomplete. Complete the blanks suitably. (2 points)<br />Red Cross HQ: Red Cross Headquarters, How......................................................................?<br />Dr. Thomson:Good morning, this is Dr. Thomson from Port au Prince Hospital, I’d............................................................................................................................<br />Red Cross HQ: Sure, what....................................................................................................?<br />Dr. Thomson: Jamal Chis.<br />Red Cross HQ: Oh, yes. Here it is. He is about thirty-five.<br />Dr. Thomson: I see. By the way, has......................................................................................?<br />Red Cross HQ:I don’t think so. As far as we know, he’s got a step-sister in the Dominican Republic.<br />Dr. Thomson: Could............................................................................................................?<br />Red Cross HQ: Sure, I’m sure she will be glad to hear that. When...................................................................................................................................?<br />Dr. Thomson: Well, it depends on his leg. But, honestly, I think by Wednesday.<br />Red Cross HQ: Will............................................................................................................?<br />Dr. Thomson: Of course, not only walk but run and have a normal life.<br />4.- What would you say in or about these situations? Choose ONLY FOUR of the situations. (2 points)<br />You tell a stranger in the street how to get to the nearest bus stop<br />You are in a hurry and you are not wearing a watch today<br />You accept your friend’s invitation to his birthday party but you realise you have a previous engagement<br />You tore your father’s favourite t-shirt.<br />You suddenly fall in love at first sight<br />The waiter says your credit card is not accepted.<br />5.-Write a composition of about 100 words on ONE of the following topics. (3 points)<br />a) Are natural disasters provoked by the man? Discuss.<br />b) Disasters bring people together. Discuss.<br />