Scientists in the United States have developed a computer program that say could provi

de an early warming of major earthquakes. The new system is designed to give a warming seconds before an earthquake strikes.

That may not sound like very long. However, it could give people time to get under a table. The flow of electric power or gas could be cut, air traffic controllers could warn away pilots. Even so-called “smart buildings” could be designed to get ready.

Richard Allen of the University of Wisconsin and Hiroo Kananmori of the California Institute of Technology developed the program. They call it the Earthquake Alarm System. A report published in Science magazine describes it.

The system uses a mathematical program to measure information collected by instruments placed across the Los Angeles area. Southern California already has more than 150 stations that measure movements within the ground. The information they collect is sent to a high-speed computer.

The new system is designed to estimate the strength of the earthquake once the shaking starts. Areas directly above the center of the earthquake would have the least warning. Distant places might have as long as forty seconds.

Professor Allen notes that an early warning system for earthquakes would require a major campaign of public education. Then, another problem is the possibility of false alarms.

48. When an earthquake strikes, the new alarm system would give people enough time to______.

A.find shelter in “smart buildings”

B.tell pilots to land the airplanes

C.know the strength of the earthquake

D.turn off gas and electricity

49.The “earthquake Alarm System” described in the passage has been developed by ______.

A.Richard Allen and his teacher Hiroo Kananmori

B.Hiroo Kananmori and his assistant Richard Allen

C.two scientists from the United States and Japan

D.two scientists from two universities in the US

50. The new alarming program_________.

A.is widely used in Winsconsin and California

B.is still in process of development

C.is especially useful for areas directly above center of the earthquake

D.gives warming at least forty seconds before the earthquake starts

51. The new alarm system may be described as _________.

A.a program that analyzes data across the United States

B.a network of instruments placed across the United States

C.a program to collect information from 150 different stations

D.a very powerful computer that can do mathematical problems

52. The writer of this passage has most probably used information from_________.

A.a meeting held at the California Institute of Technology

B.an interview with Professor Richard Allen

C.a report published in the Science magazine

D.an announcement made by a group of scientists