After the violent earthquake that shook Los Angeles in 1994, earthquake scientists had good news to report: The damage and death toll(死亡人数) could have been much worse. More than 60 people died in this earthquake. By comparison, and earthquake of similar __1__ that shook America in 1998 claimed 25,000 victims.

Injuries and deaths were __2__ less in Los Angeles because the quake occurred at 4:31 a.m. On a holiday, when traffic was light on the city's highway. In addition, __3__ made to the construction codes in Los Angeles during the last 20 years have strengthened the city's buildings and highways, making them more __4__ to quakes.

In the past, making structures quake-resist-ant meant firm yet __5__ materials, such as steel and wood, that bend without breaking. Later, people tried to lift a building off its foundation, and insert rubber and steel between the building and its foundation to __6__ the impact of ground vibrations. The most __7__ designs give buildings brains as well as concrete and steel supports, called smart buildings, the structures respond like living organisms to an earthquake's vibrations. When ground shakes and the building tips forward, the computer would __8__ the building to shift in the opposite direction. The new designs should offer even greater __9__ to cities where earthquakes ofen take place.

The new smart structures could be very __10__ to build. However, they would save many lives and would be less likely to be damaged during earthquakes.

[A]changes
[B]flexible
[C]decrease
[D]recent
[E]push
[F]reduce
[G]relatively
[H]safety
[I]resistant
[J]expensive
[K]force
[L]accordingly
[M]intensity
[N]security
[O]opposed

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