The new smart structures could be very expensive to build. However, they would save many lives and would be less likely to be damaged during earthquakes.
21. One reason why the loss of lives in the Los Angeles earthquake was comparatively low is that _________.
A) new computers had been installed in the buildings
B) it occurred in the residential areas rather than on the highways
C) large numbers of Los Angeles residents had gone for a holiday
D) improvements had been made in the construction of buildings and highways
22. The function of the computer mentioned in the passage is to _____.
A) counterbalance an earthquake’s action on the building
B) predict the coming of an earthquake with accuracy
C) help strengthen the foundation of the building
D) measure the impact of an earthquake’s vibrations
23. The smart buildings discussed in the passage ______
A) would cause serious financial problems
B) would be worthwhile though costly
C) would increase the complexity of architectural design
D) can reduce the ground vibrations caused by earthquakes
24. It can be inferred from the passage that in minimizing the damage caused by earthquakes attention should be focused on _______.
A) the increasing use of rubber and steel in capital construction
B) the development of flexible building materials
C) the reduction of the impact of ground vibrations
D) early forecasts of earthquakes
25. The author’s main purpose in writing the passage is to ________.
A) compare the consequences of the earthquakes that occurred in the U.S.
B) encourage civil engineers to make more extensive use of computers
C) outline the history of the development of quake-resistant building materials
D) report new developments in constructing quake-resistant buildings
Passage Four
Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage:
