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Devastating Earthquakes

Devastating Earthquakes

Date: Mar 19 2010

Themes: News

Grammar: Present Perfect Progressive

Intro

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The world was trying to help rebuild Haiti after its devastating earthquake when an even larger quake rocked central Chile. The earthquake in Chile measured 8.8 in intensity and lasted almost four minutes, making it one of the worst earthquakes ever recorded. It was so powerful, it actually moved the entire city of Concepcion 10 feet (about 3 meters) to the west.

Even though the Haiti earthquake was smaller than the one in Chile, it caused terrible damage and thousands of deaths. Humanitarian aid has been pouring in to Haiti from around the world, but there is still much to be done to help this suffering country. Find out how Marni and Mason have been doing their part to help Haiti.

Dialog

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Marni

Marni

Mason

Mason

Marni:  So I just went online and donated some money to an organization called Partners in Health, which is a health organization based in Haiti.

Mason:  You are a good person.

Marni:  Well, it needs to be done. Over 200,000 people have died in the earthquake. Another 300,000 injured. It’s just a huge devastation.

Mason:  That’s pretty staggering.

Marni:  And that…Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, so they’re already dealing with such huge poverty issues, and then to have this devastation on top of it, I just think it’s very tragic.

Mason:  It definitely seems like there’s been a lot of world aid coming together. And I know that Haiti was kind of…kind of approaching a turning point, so, I’ve heard a lot of people comment that they’re hoping they can use this rather tragic incident as a very literal break from the past and rebuild on a better foundation.

Marni:  Yeah, I think the relief effort has been wonderful. People have just really come together from famous people to all the telethons that have been happening, just to people donating whatever they can from all over the world, and it’s not just in our country, it’s everywhere. Humanitarian aid has been wonderful. But it is my hope that…you always want something good to come out of something so tragic.

Mason:  Actually someone from my work got leave to go volunteer and just flew down. She’s gonna be down there for like a month.

Marni:  That’s incredible. See, stories like that just really warm your heart.

 

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Discussion

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Marni is one of many ordinary people who have donated money to help Haiti. The massive earthquake that hit Haiti in January caused over 200,000 deaths and destroyed countless buildings. The rebuilding effort is still happening now and will not be over for a long time.

Fortunately the world has come together to provide relief to Haiti. Mason even knows someone who is going to Haiti personally to help out. Aid has also been pouring into Chile, where an even bigger quake hit in February.

Have you ever experienced an earthquake or other natural disaster in your country? What should people do to help Chile and Haiti?

 

Comments

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seagull2010

Russian Federation

Maria, are you jocking or you  are really afraid of the end of the world?

11:52 PM Mar 19 2010 |

ALPAY

ALPAY

Turkey

there is a comrehensive research in my country about earthquake. It's about  some animals feels that natural destroying before it heppens. 

10:03 PM Mar 19 2010 |

cathy-joo

Hong Kong

the massive Earthquake in Haiti and Chile was stagerring. It happened to some islands in my country too. I am so impressed that many people all over the world have been doing their part to donate Haiti. It will be nice if  I can do my part too. 

06:00 PM Mar 19 2010 |

seagull2010

Russian Federation

CryI have had the experience of being in an earthquake although it wasn't too big.I was afraid of it very much.

05:35 PM Mar 19 2010 |

Cristhy

Colombia

i haven't have the experience to be in an earthquake…. i think that it has to be something fearful and dangerous…

I don't wanna live a moment like these…

05:04 PM Mar 19 2010 |

janko3

janko3

Poland

Two years ago I experienced earthquake on  Rodos-Greece, 6.3. Forunately nobody was hurt.

12:50 PM Mar 19 2010 |

nonstop07

nonstop07

Turkey

cooperation must be stronger with each other.we are living in the same world. like this devastating eartquake happen every where.  

11:30 AM Mar 19 2010 |

foufou363363

Lebanon

poor people in Haiti, poor people in Indonesia,why catastrophes hit always the poorest country? we should help, but not through charitable organizations because through them lot of money will be lost!! 

08:18 AM Mar 19 2010 |

kiri10

kiri10

Philippines

It's such a dreadful happening for  a poor country having to suffer this kind of tragedy.

07:44 AM Mar 19 2010 |

Ahn Soo-hyun

South Korea

I agree with Mason's opinion, but it is very hard.  We shoould help Haiti, in various ways. I want to donate some money. We should protect our planet. Have a happy day!!!

06:51 AM Mar 19 2010 |

mickee85

mickee85

Philippines

What happened to Haiti and chile were very shocking. I feel sad for those who died and for those who are homeless until now. Thank God there are many people who donate and help them. Telethon did helped a lot, famous celebrities and artists and athetes also gave their share.

06:26 AM Mar 19 2010 |

yanyu2009

China

I had heart about that,but only a litile.but Don't you know the WenChuang eatthquake beaken in China?I had never heart so a nature power demage humans,it's horrible!

04:34 AM Mar 19 2010 |

julywidiawati

Indonesia

No, I haven't had such an experience of earthquake in my country, just a low shake as the effect of many earthquakes in Indonesia. I think people like Marni and Mason, who have had together help Haiti and Chile did great actions and we can take them as a role.

03:11 AM Mar 19 2010 |

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