In 1989, an 8.2 earthquake almost destroyed America, killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. A father left his wife safely at home and rushed to the school where his son was supposed to be, only to discover that the building was as flat as a pancake.
After the unforgettable scare, he remembered the promise he had made to his son, "No matter what happens, I'll always be there for you!" And tears began to fill his eyes. As he looked at the pile of ruins that once was the school, it looked hopeless but he kept remembering his promise to his son.
Remembering his son's classroom would be in the back right comer of the building, he rushed there and started digging through the ruins. As he was digging, other helpless parents tried to pull him off what was left of the school, saying, "It's too late! They're all dead! You can't help! Go home! Come on! Face reality. There's nothing you can do!"
To each parent he replied with one line, "Are you going to help me now?" And then he continued to dig for his son, stone by stone. The firefighter leader showed up and tried to pull him off the ruins, saying, “Fires are breaking out. Explosions are happening everywhere. You're in danger. We'll take care of it. Go home." This loving father asked, "Are you going to help me now?" The police came and said, "You're angry, worried and it's over. You are making others in danger. Go home. We'll handle it!" He replied, "Are you going to help me now?" No one helped.
He went on alone because he needed to know for himself, "Is my boy alive or is he dead?" He dug for eight hours ...12 hours ...24 hours ...36 hours ... then, in the 38th hour, he pulled back a large stone and heard his son's voice. He screamed his son's name, "Armand!" He heard back, "Dad?! It's me, Dad! I told the other children not to worry. I told them that if you were alive, you would save me and when you saved me, they'd be saved. You promised, no matter what happens, you will always be there for me! You did it, Dad!" "What's going on there? How is it?" the father asked. "There are 14 of us left out of 33, Dad. We're scared, hungry, thirsty and thankful you're here. When the building fell down, it made a triangle, and it saved us."
"Come out, boy!" "No, Dad! Let the other kids out first because I know you'll get me! No matter what happens, I know you'll always be there for me!"
1.Why did the firefighter leader pull the father off?
A.Because fires were breaking out and explosions were happening everywhere.
B.Because the leader thought it was too late and all kids were dead.
C.Because the father was making others in danger.
D.Because the father was alone.
2.What do you think of the father?
A.He was happy and relaxed.
B.He is selfish and easy to give up.
C.He has strong belief and courage.
D.He was scared, hungry and thankful.
3.In what order did the events take place?
a. When the building fell down, it made a triangle, and it saved the kids.
b. As the father was digging, other helpless parents tried to pull him off.
c. In 1989, an 8.2 earthquake happened.
d. The police came and said, "You're angry, worried and it's over. Go home. We'll handle it!"
e. The firefighter leader showed up and tried to pull the father off the ruins.
A.c-a-b-e-d B.c-a-e-b-d C.a-c-b-e-d D.a-c-e-b-d
4.Who would the father save first at the end of the story?
A.His son. B.The teachers. C.His wife. D.Other kids.
5.In which section of the newspaper would you probably read this article?
A.Environment. B.Local News. C.Entertainment. D.Fashion.