A fire drill is, to put it mildly, an inconvenient exercise at the best of times. A fire drill at 2: 00 in the morning in terrible weather conditions, like the one we had on Thursday night and Friday morning last, is incomparably more inconvenient. This is why writing this note to thank you all most sincerely for your excellent co-operation and the spirit with which you endured the inconvenience.

A fire drill is not an idle exercise. It is an extremely serious one and can, in fact, save lives in the long run. Last week fire drill has already reyealed a number of important things regarding fire precautions in the Hall. For instance, there seem to exit a number of "deaf spots" in the Hall, namely, the two rooms in Purser House and some rooms in the Bottom corridor. I have no reason to doubt that residents from these areas could not hear the alarm. I shall request an immediate examination of this problem.

I should, also, remind you that it is a requirement that fire drills should be regularly carried out (at least two in every one year.and each resident should be made fully aware of this and obliged to take part. All residents must take fire precautions with the seriousness they deserve. Failure to do so can result bin fines and expulsion(驱逐.from the Hall. Thank you again for your co-operation.

11. The last fire drill caused much more inconvenience because_________.

A.it was in bad weather

B.there were "deaf spots"

C.a big fire started

D.it was at the weekend

12. The phrase "in the long run"(==L.2, Part.2.)means_________.

A.effectively

B.endlessly

C.eventually

D.efficiently

13. Some people did not make their appearance at the last drill because_______.

A.they were deaf

B.they could not hear the alarm

C.nobody waked them up

D.they refused to leave their rooms