Vocabulary
This adjective describes something happening without a clear pattern, making it unpredictable.
Answer: random
This country’s government scientists believe earthquake prediction is possible.
Answer: Japan
This word refers to huge sea waves caused by underwater earthquakes.
Answer: tsunamis
These two things are often caused by major earthquakes, in addition to destruction and fires.
Answer: tsunamis and economic disaster (or destruction)
This noun means a scientific guess about future events, often less certain than a prediction.
Answer: forecast
This theory suggests that tiny slips occur in a fault before a major earthquake happens.
Answer: preslip theory
This verb means to find or discover something, usually with special equipment.
Answer: detect
According to the passage, future success in earthquake prediction could help prevent this major consequence.
Answer: loss of life
This noun refers to the breaking point in the Earth's crust where earthquakes occur.
Answer: fault
This was the scientists’ biggest disappointment when the long-awaited Parkfield quake occurred in 2004.
Answer: There were no warning signs before the quake.