The total number of fatalities is even higher than that, as my analysis only considered landslides triggered by rainfall. If other landslides are taken into account, especially those triggered by earthquakes, the death toll rises to a remarkable 80 000. This is in stark contrast to official figures in the United Nations International Disaster Database, which indicate only about 7 400 deaths from landslides during the same period. Why such a large discrepancy? A key factor is that the UN database includes many other hazard types, such as earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions. Compiling such data is a huge task, so the researchers set a minimum impact threshold (门槛) for inclusion. This is either 10 fatalities or a large economic loss, meaning that many small events are excluded. This is not a problem for earthquake-related data, as unfortunately almost all events that cause significant damage also kill more than 10 people, but it leads to substantial underreporting for landslides. A second key factor is that fatal landslides are concentrated in populous but remote mountain areas prone to heavy rainfall or earthquakes. In such places, obtaining information about landslides that kill small numbers of people has been hitherto (至今) impossible. The ultimate goal of such data gathering is to reduce landslide deaths. In the past three decades several countries have set up successful programmes to manage landslide risk. Their programmes have reduced loss of life through a combination of engineering works, public awareness, relocation of people most at risk and an early warning system. An interesting question is whether deaths from landslides are increasing. My research shows that as population density increases, so does the number of fatal landslides. In part, this is probably because rising population forces people to live and work on unstable land and, of course, when there are more people in the landscape it becomes more likely that any given landslide will hit someone. Other factors will also be at play. Environmental degradation, especially deforestation, seems to be making landslides more likely. And the increases in rainfall intensity, which are probably associated with a warming atmosphere, may also be contributing.1、The author’s analysis focuses on landslides caused by________.A.floodsB.rainfallC.earthquakesD.volcanic eruptions2、What do we learn from the first two paragraphs?E.There are 2 620 landslides around the world every year.F.The death toll is twice as high when other landslides are taken into account.G.The author’s figures are almost in line with official figures.H.Official figures show there were only 7 400 landslides during the same period.3、Why do the author’s data of fatalities differ from official figures?I.The UN database focuses more on economic loss.J.The UN database covers fewer types of landslides.K.The UN database doesn’t take many small events into account.L.The UN database can obtain data in populous but remote mountain areas.4、What is the final purpose of the data gathering according to the passage?M.To decrease landslide fatalities.N.To reduce the occurrence of landslides.O.To understand more about landslides.P.To inform the public of more details about landslides.5、Which of the following is the best title for the passage?Q.Landslide Death Toll and ReasonsR.Landslide Recognition and ControlS.Landslide Prediction and AssessmentT.Landslide Analysis and Early Warning Systems

From 2014 to 2020, I recorded 2 620 rainfall-induced landslides worldwide that killed more than 7 000 people. The total number of fatalities is even higher than that, as my analysis only considered landslides triggered by rainfall. If other landslides are taken into account, especially those triggered by earthquakes, the death toll rises to a remarkable 80 000. This is in stark contrast to official figures in the United Nations International Disaster Database, which indicate only about 7 400 deaths from landslides during the same period. Why such a large discrepancy? A key factor is that the UN database includes many other hazard types, such as earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions. Compiling such data is a huge task, so the researchers set a minimum impact threshold (门槛) for inclusion. This is either 10 fatalities or a large economic loss, meaning that many small events are excluded. This is not a problem for earthquake-related data, as unfortunately almost all events that cause significant damage also kill more than 10 people, but it leads to substantial underreporting for landslides. A second key factor is that fatal landslides are concentrated in populous but remote mountain areas prone to heavy rainfall or earthquakes. In such places, obtaining information about landslides that kill small numbers of people has been hitherto (至今) impossible. The ultimate goal of such data gathering is to reduce landslide deaths. In the past three decades several countries have set up successful programmes to manage landslide risk. Their programmes have reduced loss of life through a combination of engineering works, public awareness, relocation of people most at risk and an early warning system. An interesting question is whether deaths from landslides are increasing. My research shows that as population density increases, so does the number of fatal landslides. In part, this is probably because rising population forces people to live and work on unstable land and, of course, when there are more people in the landscape it becomes more likely that any given landslide will hit someone. Other factors will also be at play. Environmental degradation, especially deforestation, seems to be making landslides more likely. And the increases in rainfall intensity, which are probably associated with a warming atmosphere, may also be contributing.1、The author’s analysis focuses on landslides caused by________.

• A.floods
• B.rainfall
• C.earthquakes
• D.volcanic eruptions2、What do we learn from the first two paragraphs?
• E.There are 2 620 landslides around the world every year.
• F.The death toll is twice as high when other landslides are taken into account.
• G.The author’s figures are almost in line with official figures.
• H.Official figures show there were only 7 400 landslides during the same period.3、Why do the author’s data of fatalities differ from official figures?
• I.The UN database focuses more on economic loss.
• J.The UN database covers fewer types of landslides.
• K.The UN database doesn’t take many small events into account.
• L.The UN database can obtain data in populous but remote mountain areas.4、What is the final purpose of the data gathering according to the passage?
• M.To decrease landslide fatalities.
• N.To reduce the occurrence of landslides.
• O.To understand more about landslides.
• P.To inform the public of more details about landslides.5、Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
• Q.Landslide Death Toll and Reasons
• R.Landslide Recognition and Control
• S.Landslide Prediction and Assessment
• T.Landslide Analysis and Early Warning Systems