Reading Comprehension-3

Week 2 Day 3

A Letter from Antioch

                                                                                                                        Antioch, Syria

                                                                                                            Saturday, May 23, AD 526

Dear Father,

            I write to tell you the shocking news that has happened since you departure last month. On Wednesday, Antioch suffered a terrible earthquake. Mother and I are safe, and our house is damaged but still standing. However, over 220,000 people in the city have died, and officials expect even higher numbers as the survivors search the rubble for their loved ones. Hundreds are fleeing the city, carrying their few damaged belongings on their backs.

            Many of the familiar churches, markets, theaters, and monuments have been destroyed. Some buildings that withstood the initial quake collapsed during aftershocks. One of the saddest losses was the Great Church. Although it survived the aftershocks, it caught fire yesterday and burned.

            Looters are going into collapsed buildings and stealing valuables. Thieves have attacked some people who are fleeing the city. But al hope is not lost. Just this morning, brave people rescued a young woman and her child from the ruins of a house . As I write, volunteers are retrieving many of our pieces of fine mosaic art. They are loading them into boats to transport them to other locations. And messengers arrived from Emperor Justin this morning. He pledged to  help us rebuild.

            I wish you a safe journey and urge caution on your return. Your son, Simeon

Strategy Practice: Do you think people in the past reacted any differently to disasters from the war people do today?

Skill Practice: