Reading Practice

Human Responses to Disaster

Catastrophic events, such as natural disasters and major terrorist attacks, are extremely
traumatic for the people involved. In these situations, where one's own and others' physical safety
is threatened, feelings may range from fear, to horror or helplessness. Studies of catastrophe
survivors have taught psychologists how individuals who have undergone such traumas and
losses respond to these circumstances. Such research is difficult: Ethics prevent psychologists
from creating disastrous events in order to study their effects on volunteer subjects. The only way
to study these events is to be on the scene after the catastrophe, getting the story from the survivors
while it is fresh on their minds. From these stories, psychologists have theorized that responses
to extreme natural and human caused disasters occur in five stages.
The first stage begins immediately after the event and may last for a few moments or several
days. During this period, victims experience psychological numbness—a certain inability to think
or feel. They may be in a state of shock and confusion, and they have difficulty comprehending
what has happened. This reaction occurs whether or not they have been physically injured
themselves during the event.

During the next stage, victims continue to lack awareness of what is going on around them.
They appear to function automatically, without conscious control of their thinking or reacting.
Later, they may not remember these moments or their actions. When there has been no warning
at all of the disaster—as in an earthquake or the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York—this
stage lasts longer. While people are in this phase they are also unable to focus their attention on
their surroundings or coordinate their actions with other people. This can result in delays in
rescue efforts and the loss of lives.
In the third stage after a disaster, victims turn to each other. They pool resources and
collaborate in trying to deal with the consequences. At this point, they may experience some pride
at having managed to survive, they may be hopeful about the future, and they express their
willingness to "roll up their sleeves" and try to rebuild. At the same time, they are physically worn
out by the impact of the experience and they may not have much reserve energy.
The fourth stage is when victims are most likely to become depressed or even attempt
suicide. They experience a letdown and finally comprehend the full extent of the tragedy. By
this time, the public and the media may have lost interest in the disaster and the victims are
no longer given special consideration. Though the state of emergency may continue, the
survivors feel abandoned and forgotten.
The final period of recovery is the most extended stage, as the survivors struggle to adapt
to the changes in their lives. These changes may be personal or they may involve the whole
community. In some cases, the victims may have to move elsewhere and start a completely
new life. During this phase, survivors feel a basic need to find a meaning in their loss. "Why?"
they ask themselves, and they demand answers from those in authority.

These sentences are taken from the passage. Read each sentence and circle the best meaning or synonym
for the underlined word as it is used in the sentence.

1. Catastrophic events, such as natural disasters and major terrorist attacks, are extremely
traumatic for the people involved.
a. near by b. left out c. included
2. Studies of catastrophe survivors have taught psychologists how individuals who have
undergone such traumas and losses respond to these circumstances.
a. experienced b. seen c. attempted

Prepared by / Mr Mohamed Elqayyem Mobile No/ 37755910

 Reading Practice
3. Studies of catastrophe survivors have taught psychologists how individuals who have
undergone such traumas and losses respond to these circumstances.
a. conditions b. difficulties c. memories
4. Ethics prevent psychologists from creating disastrous events in order to study their effects on
volunteer subjects.
a. ordinary customs b. moral beliefs c. strong opinions
5. Ethics prevent psychologists from creating disastrous events in order to study their effects on
volunteer subjects.
a. inexperienced b. professional c. unpaid
6. During the next stage, victims continue to lack awareness of what is going on around
them.
a. excuses b. understanding c. education
7. They appear to function automatically, without conscious control of their thinking or
reacting.
a. behave b. think c. understand
8. While people are in this phase, they are also unable to focus their attention on their
surroundings or coordinate their actions with other people.
a. condition b. age c. stage
9. While people are in this phase, they are also unable to focus their attention on their
surroundings or coordinate their actions with other people.
a. see clearly b. take part c. talk about
10. While people are in this phase, they are also unable to focus their attention on their
surroundings or coordinate their actions with other people.
a. compare b. organize c. study
11. They pool resources and collaborate in trying to deal with the consequences.
a. live together b. speak together c. work together
12. They pool resources and collaborate in trying to deal with the consequences.
a. effects b. advantages c. authorities
13. Though the state of emergency may continue, the survivors feel abandoned and
forgotten.
a. left alone b. unhappy c. doubtful
14. The final period of recovery is the most extended stage, as the survivors struggle to
adapt to the changes in their lives.
a. learn about b. describe c. deal with
15. These changes may be personal or they may involve the whole community.
a. government b. town c. family

Fill in the following gaps with one of the words in the box and make the changes if necessary.

Abandon - community - function – adapt to - consequences- involve – aware - coordinate -

phase – circumstances - ethics - undergo – collaborate - focus on - volunteer

1. As the disease spread, the patient lost the ability to ……………her movements.
2. Economic ………………………. were not favorable for a small company in a highly
competitive field.

Prepared by / Mr Mohamed Elqayyem Mobile No/ 37755910

 Reading Practice
3. In spite of the power shortages, the hospital continued to…………………. normally.
4. Proud of the new sports center, the local…………………. organized a weekend of
activities for young people.
5. The telecommunications industry has …………………. enormous changes in the last
fifteen years.
6. Since hotels generally do not allow pets, thousands of Italians………………..their pets by
the side of the road when they leave for their summer vacations.
7. Relations between the United States and Russia entered into a new……………….. with
the meeting of the two presidents in Moscow.
8. The movie………………. the many difficulties a foreign worker—even a highly qualified
one—faces in England today.
9. The…………………. committee of the university has not yet come to a decision about the
behavior of Professor Golden.
10. When children enter a new school, they must ………………... the new surroundings, the
new teacher and the new rules.
11. Dr. Spilotis was well ………………… of the fact that some patients had left him for
another doctor in town.
12. More than ten hockey players were ………………… in the fight that broke out at the end
of the first half of the game.
13. Several engineers and architects …………………… in the design of the new train station.
14. ……………………. doctors and nurses who offer their services to an organization called
Doctors of the World visit the homeless people living in the streets of Paris.
15. The professor warned her students of the …………………………… of cheating on a
test.
Include the following words in meaningful sentences.
Circumstances
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Adapt to
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Collaborate
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Consequences
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Ethics
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Involve in
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Prepared by / Mr Mohamed Elqayyem Mobile No/ 37755910