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SECTION C

[25 MARKS]
[TIME SUGGESTED: 50 MINUTES]

Question 26-31 are based on the following passage.

1 Do you know that landslides are? They can basically be triggered by rain, floods, earthquakes and man-
made causes such as terrain cutting and excessive development. They can occur in developed areas,
undeveloped areas or any area where the terrain has been altered for houses, roads, buildings or utilities.
2 On February 17, 2006 in Southern Leyte, a massive landslide occurred and had caused widespread
damage and loss of lives. The deadly landslide was followed by 10 days of heavy rain and an earthquake
magnitude of 2.6 on the Richter scale which resulted the death of thousands. Our country too has had its share
of this natural disaster. On December 6, 2008, a massive landslide occurred in Bukit Antarabangsa causing five
people to be killed and eight others buried.
10
3 If you are living in a landslide-risk area and your home could be damaged, you can developed an
evacuation plan. You need to have an idea where to go if you have to leave. Consider alternative exits or roads
to escape so that you will not panic when a landslide really happen. Most of the time, we cannot think when
an emergency occurs. Prepare a bag beforehand which may include clothes, identification documents,
personal medication, cell phone, charger, some perishable food and drinking water. During an emergency, you
would not have time to pack as staying out of danger is your first priority.
4 Watch out for warning signs which indicate that a landslide might occur. You can look out for changes
in how the rain water flows and land movements such as debris flow or tilting trees on the slopes near your
home. Be aware of cracks or unusual bulges in the ground, street pavements or sidewalks. Look into jammed
doors and windows. Watch out for broken pipe lines and other underground utilities. If you hear unusual
sounds such as tress cracking or boulders knocking together and faint rumbling sounds that increase in volume,
do not hesitate to check out what is happening. Noticing small changes helps to alert you to the threat of a
landslide.
5 What should you do when a landslide occurs? Evacuate the area and inform your neighbours quickly.
Help those who need assistance. The best protection is to leave as fast as possible and run across the path of
landslide rather than away from it. If you are trapped in the house, go upstairs rather than staying on the
ground floor. Roll yourself into a ball under a strong object such as table. This is to prevent you from the
chances of blunt trauma which the result of getting hit by something if the roof of the house collapses. Besides,
this position creates an air pocket around you and will prevent weight on your chest.
6 After the landslide, stay away from the slide area because additional slides may occur. Check for
injured and trapped persons and direct rescuers to their location. Do not try and save the victims by yourself
there is a chance that you too may be trapped there. Remember that the window of time for survival is
generally estimated at two hours. Then, watch out for flooding. Floods sometimes follow the landslides and
debris flow. Do not stand near live broken electricity cables in pool of water/ finally, you can play your part in
helping out during this time if you are out of danger. Help the survivors who require special assistance such as
infants, the elderly or the disabled. Take them to a relief or operations centre where they can be cared for by
the voluntary units. 41
Adapted from Sunday Star, December 2009

26. (a) From paragraph 1, what are the man-made causes of landslides?
Terrain cutting and excessive development.
_____________________________________________________________________
[1 mark]
(b) From paragraph 2, what are the results of a massive landslide?
A massive landslide causes widespread damage and loss of lives.
_____________________________________________________________________
[1 mark]

27. From paragraph 3, state two ways you can prepare to leave when a landslide occurs.
(a) consider alternative routes
_____________________________________________________________________
(b) prepare a bag
_____________________________________________________________________
[1 mark]
28. From paragraph 4,
(a) what are the changes you should observe on the slopes near your house?
Debris flow and tilting trees
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
[1 mark]

(b) describe the kind of sounds that you should be aware of.
The sound of trees cracking or boulders knocking together
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
[1 mark]

29. From paragraph 5,


(a) why is it important to roll yourself into a ball?
This position creates an air pocket so it will prevent weight on your chest
______________________________________________________________________
[1 mark]

(b) which word means ‘gives away’?


Collapses
______________________________________________________________________
[1 mark]

30. In your own words, describe what you can do to help the victims after a landslide.
After a landslide, I can direct rescuers to places where there areinjured or trapped
________________________________________________________________________
Victims. Besides this, I can take some of the victims to the relief or operations centre.
________________________________________________________________________
[2 marks]
If you are living in a landslide-prone area, you should …
1. have an idea where to go if you have to evacuate
2. consider alternative routes to escape when landslide occurs
3. prepare a bag which contains your important belongings
4. watch out for changes in the flow of rainwater and land movements be aware of cracks
5. or unusual bulges in the ground, pavements or sidewalks
6. and jammed doors and windows
7. watch out for broken pipes lines and other underground utilities
8. be aware of any unusual sounds
9. when landslide occurs, inform your neighbours quickly
10. and help those who need assistance
11. leave as fast as possible and run across the path of the landslide
12. if you are trapped in the house, roll yourself into a ball
13. and hide under a strong object

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