Exercises Have To Be Used

I. Read the following text.
The Importance of Rainforests

Rainforests are one of the most complicated environments on Earth. They
are recognized worldwide as containing the richest source of plants and animals
and are believed to contain nearly three-quarters of all the varieties of life on
Earth. This is remarkable because rainforests cover only about six percent of the
Earths land surface.
Rainforests are the oldest major ecosystem, having survived climate
changes for more than one million years. They provide habitats for more species
of plants, animals, insects and birds than any other environment found on our
planet. Scientists estimate that between 60 and 90 percent of all species of life are
to be found in rainforests. Unfortunately, the widespread destruction of many of
the worlds rainforests has caused a significant decline in the number of plant and
animal species on Earth.
Rainforests influence both our local and global climates. For example,
between 50 and 80 percent of the moisture in the air above rainforests comes from
the rainforests trees. If large areas of these lush rainforests are cleared, the
average rainfall in the area will drop. Eventually, the areas climate will get hotter
and drier. This process could convert rainforests into a sparse grassland or desert.
Rainforests are also able to absorb over 90 percent of the rainfall in their
leaves mosses. By doing this, they are able to slow down water run-off by
gradually releasing the water over time into streams and rivers. This helps to
control soil erosion and flooding.
Rainforests are vital to the Earth in helping to recycle carbon and oxygen.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the gas put into the air globally by humans, mainly by
the burning of fossil fuels (for example in cars and factories). Rainforests are able
to remove carbon dioxide from the air and return oxygen in its place. This is why
our global rainforests are often called the Earths lungs.
Rainforests are major producers of the Earths oxygen. In fact, scientists
believe that nearly 50 percent of the Earths oxygen is produced by rainforest in
the Amazon region alone. Nearly 40 percent of the worlds carbon is contained in
the tress of the rainforests. As rainforests are cut down and burned, carbon
dioxide is released into the Earths atmosphere. Eventually, as this gas builds up
the atmosphere, leading to what scientists call the enhanced greenhouse effect.
To sum up, the role of the rainforest is essential for human life. It creates
equilibrium in our environment and its resources are significant for human beings
survival.
Taken from: SOSE: Studies of Society and Environment, 2000
II. Match the words in the left box with their definitions in the right box.
a. Noun
1. Ecosystem (n) : a. To slowly reduce the surface of something

2. Erosion (n) : b. Something which were formed underground from
plant and animal remains millions of years ago
3. Fossil fuel (n) : c. When someone continues to live
4. Atmosphere (n) : d. All the living things in an area and the way they
5. Equilibrium (n) : affect each other and the environment
e. A state of balance
6. Survival (n) :
III. f. the mixture of gases that surrounds some planets,
IV. such as the Earth
b. Adjective
1. Widespread (adj) : a. existing or happening in many places and/or among
many people
2. Lush (adj) : b. necessary; needed
3. Vital (adj) : c. green and healthy
4. Essential (adj) : d. extremely important
III. State whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F).
1. TF Rainforests are unimportant to our life on Earth.
2. TF The economic resources which rainforests provide vary.
3. TF Many rainforest-rich countries are facing a situation in which it is
very difficult to look after rainforests.
4. TF The economic resources provided by the worlds rainforest are
extremely small.
5. TF Less than 50 percent of the worlds food supplies originate in
rainforest areas.
6. TF Rainforests are becoming more and more unpopular as places for
people to visit.
IV. Answer the following comprehension questions

1. What is the purpose of the text?
2. How many arguments are there in the text? What are the arguments?
3. Why are rainforests the oldest major ecosystem?
4. How do rainforests influence both local and global climates?
5. How can rainforests help to control soil erosion and flooding?
6. Why are rainforests often called the Earths Lungs?

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I. Read the following text.

The Importance of Rainforests

1. Ecosystem (n) : a. To slowly reduce the surface of something

IV. Answer the following comprehension questions

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