Passage Reference: Every year earthquakes are responsible for a large number of deaths and a vast amount of destruction in various parts of the world. Most of these damaging earthquakes occur either in a narrow belt which surrounds the Pacific Ocean or in a line which extends from Burma to the Alps in Europe. Some of the destruction is directly caused by the quake itself. An example of this is the collapse of buildings as a result of vibration. Other damage results from landslides, tsunamis (large ocean waves) or major fires which are initiated by the quake. 2. There are about a million quakes a year. Fortunately, however, not all of-them are destructive. The intensity of an earthquake is measured on the Richter Scale, which goes from 0 upward. The highest magnitude recorded to date is 8.9. Major damage generally occurs from quakes ranging upwards from 6.0. Exceptions to this are those whose epicentres are located far from inhabited areas. 3. The actual cause of the quake itself is the rupturing or breaking of rocks at or below the earth's surface. This is produced by pressure which scientists believe may be due to a number of reasons, two of which are the expansion and contraction of the earth's crust and continental drift. 4. In order to minimize the damage and to alleviate some of the suffering resulting from earthquakes, scientists are working on ways to enable accurate prediction. Two of the instruments presently in use to achieve this goal are seismographs and tiltmeters. The former records any shaking of the earth; by means of calculations seismologists can accurately indicate the exact time, location and size of an earthquake. The latter, as the name suggests, is used to record any changes in the tilt of the land.

Common Mistake: Some students choose Earthquake Destruction because the first paragraph talks about damage. This is a Wrong section trap because destruction is only one part of the whole passage.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'earthquakes are responsible', 'The actual cause of the quake', 'scientists are working on ways' = Statement: 'The main title'

Tips: For the main title, think big. Ask yourself what topic connects all paragraphs, not just one.

Key Vocabulary:

• responsible = cause
• prediction = saying before it happens

Question Focus: Identifying the main idea of paragraph 1

Passage Reference: Every year earthquakes are responsible for a large number of deaths and a vast amount of destruction in various parts of the world. Most of these damaging earthquakes occur either in a narrow belt which surrounds the Pacific Ocean or in a line which extends from Burma to the Alps in Europe. Some of the destruction is directly caused by the quake itself. An example of this is the collapse of buildings as a result of vibration. Other damage results from landslides, tsunamis (large ocean waves) or major fires which are initiated by the quake. 2.

Why this is correct: Paragraph 1 focuses on damage and destruction, including deaths, collapsed buildings, tsunamis, and fires. So the best title is Earthquake Destruction.

Common Mistake: Students sometimes choose Earthquake Zones because places like the Pacific Ocean are mentioned. This is a Partial truth trap because zones are mentioned, but the main focus is damage.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'vast amount of destruction', 'collapse of buildings' = Statement: 'Earthquake Destruction'

Tips: When choosing a paragraph title, look at repeated ideas, not just place names.

Key Vocabulary:

• destruction = serious damage
• initiated = started

Question Focus: Recognising numbers and measurements

Passage Reference: There are about a million quakes a year. Fortunately, however, not all of-them are destructive. The intensity of an earthquake is measured on the Richter Scale, which goes from 0 upward. The highest magnitude recorded to date is 8.9. Major damage generally occurs from quakes ranging upwards from 6.0. Exceptions to this are those whose epicentres are located far from inhabited areas. 3.

Why this is correct: Paragraph 2 is full of numbers and measurements, such as how many earthquakes happen and how strong they are. This matches Earthquake Statistics.

Common Mistake: Some students choose The Richter Scale because it is mentioned. This is a Context shift trap because the paragraph includes more than just the scale.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'a million quakes a year', 'highest magnitude recorded' = Statement: 'Earthquake Statistics'

Tips: If a paragraph has many numbers, dates, or measurements, think statistics.

Key Vocabulary:

• magnitude = strength
• inhabited = lived in

Question Focus: Finding cause and reason language

Passage Reference: The actual cause of the quake itself is the rupturing or breaking of rocks at or below the earth's surface. This is produced by pressure which scientists believe may be due to a number of reasons, two of which are the expansion and contraction of the earth's crust and continental drift. 4.

Why this is correct: Paragraph 3 explains why earthquakes happen, focusing on pressure and breaking rocks. That clearly matches The Cause of Earthquake.

Common Mistake: Students sometimes choose Continental Drift. This is a Partial truth trap because continental drift is only one cause, not the whole focus.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'actual cause of the quake', 'rupturing or breaking of rocks' = Statement: 'The Cause of Earthquake'

Tips: Words like cause, reason, produced by usually signal a cause paragraph.

Key Vocabulary:

• rupturing = breaking
• crust = outer layer of the earth

Question Focus: Understanding purpose and future focus

Passage Reference: In order to minimize the damage and to alleviate some of the suffering resulting from earthquakes, scientists are working on ways to enable accurate prediction. Two of the instruments presently in use to achieve this goal are seismographs and tiltmeters. The former records any shaking of the earth; by means of calculations seismologists can accurately indicate the exact time, location and size of an earthquake. The latter, as the name suggests, is used to record any changes in the tilt of the land.

Why this is correct: Paragraph 4 explains how scientists try to predict earthquakes using instruments. The main idea is prediction, so Predicting Earthquake is correct.

Common Mistake: Some students choose Earthquake Instrument. This is a Wrong focus trap because instruments are tools, not the main goal.

Paraphrasing: Passage: 'enable accurate prediction', 'scientists are working on ways' = Statement: 'Predicting Earthquake'

Tips: Ask yourself why the tools are mentioned. Usually they support a bigger purpose.

Key Vocabulary:

• predict = say before it happens
• instrument = scientific tool

General Tips:

• Matching headings usually follow paragraph order. Work from paragraph 1 to 4 calmly.
• Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph to catch the main idea quickly.
• Do not match a heading just because one word looks similar. Always check the main focus.
• If a heading is too narrow, it is often a trap.