Read the text and choose the correct parts of sentences (A-G) to complete the gaps. There is one extra part of a sentence you do not need to use

A. which they have from their windows

B. and pose a far greater danger

C. when the people had managed to escape the disaster

D. and are comfortable living near it

E. that stands next to it

F. when thousands of people lost their lives

G. that Vesuvius sent flying through the air

• A
• B
• D
• E
• F
• G
• C

San Sebastiano, Italy

The village of San Sebastiano al Vesuvio in Italy takes part of its name from the great volcano Vesuvius [ ]. There are no fewer than 18 such towns or villages at the base of the volcano with a combined population of almost 600,000 people. The area has a long volcanic history that has had a great influence on the residents of the region. Reports from the last eruption, which was minor, described people putting pots over their heads in order to protect themselves from the rocks [ ].

It isn't the safest place to live because the volcano could erupt at any time. In fact, another eruption of this beautiful mountain is long overdue. Astonishingly, despite the risk, many residents claim to enjoy the view [ ]. They live so close to the volcano that when they look out of their windows, they are unable to see the whole of their giant neighbour but only part of it and the background of the clear blue sky.

Many people who live in the shadow of the volcano have a very laid-back attitude towards life. Residents of the area seem to spend more time with friends than people in other parts of the country, keeping up with gossip or just relaxing over a cup of coffee. Why this is so is hard to guess, but perhaps it is because they know the volcano could destroy their lives at any time. Still, such a light-hearted attitude is not shared by all. The members of the local government are very concerned about the safety of the residents. The last thing they want is a repeat of the tragedy of Pompeii 2000 years ago [ ].

Experts cannot predict exactly when the volcano will erupt, so plans for an evacuation must always be ready. Currently, it is estimated that it would take approximately two weeks to evacuate the 580,000 people living in the most dangerous areas around the volcano. However, if the population could be reduced to 400,000, it would only take eight to ten days to move everyone to safety.

Even these plans are insufficient. They rely on the assumption that the authorities will have at least eight days to get people away, yet there is no guarantee that they will even have a single day. When Vesuvius has erupted in the past, the explosions have been very violent and sudden. It is not only the rivers of super-heated lava that threaten people. The gases, dust and ash thrown out by the volcano move very quickly [ ].

Having so many people living at the base of the volcano, and not knowing how much time they will have to evacuate, has forced the authorities to come up with a different solution. In their latest proposal, residents will be paid to move out of the areas closest to the volcano. The aim is to reduce the population to acceptable levels before Vesuvius erupts again.

The problem is that not many people have applied to take part in the relocation programme. It seems that people have come to trust the volcano [ ]. This attitude poses one of the greatest threats of all. History tells us that Vesuvius erupts very violently about every 200 years. The last time it did so, in 1631, at least 3,500 people lost their lives. Given the large population living around Vesuvius today, the historic tragedy of Pompeii could be made to look very small indeed.