Comprehensive check

Task 1. Choose the correct answer according to the text.

1. What are rainforests characterized by?

1. Rainforests are characterized by constant droughts.

2. Rainforests are characterized by strong snowstorms.

3. Rainforests are characterized by heavy rainfall.

2. How many species of plants, insects and microorganisms live in rainforests?

1. There are about half a million species.

2. There are more than a billion species.

3. There are millions of different species.

3. Where is the canopy of a rainforest?

1. It’s the first layer of rainforests.

2. It’s the second layer of rainforests.

3. It’s the third layer of rainforests.

4. Why is it difficult to study the canopy of rainforests?

1. A lot of trees are very high.

2. A lot of trees are very rare.

3. A lot of trees are known.

5. Where does the bulk of canopy occur?

1. It occurs in the Amazon Basin.

2. It occurs in the Mississippi Basin.

3. It occurs in the Missouri Basin.

6. What do rainforests provide?

1. They provide habitats for a few species of plants.

2. They provide habitats for a lot of species.

3. They provide habitats for a few kinds of animals.

7. What are the main threats to rainforests?

1. These are political changes.

2. These are information changes.

3. These are climate changes.

Task 2. Continue these statements using the text information.

1. Each year our mankind loses 13 million hectares of forests which is equivalent …

2. The process of deforestation is the source of …

3. Taking so many trees out of the wood contributes to …

4. Every year an area of rainforest the size of New Jersey is cut down as a result of …

5. Today export-driven industries are driving a bigger share of …

6. People are cutting down rainforests for …

7. Rainforests are disappearing …

8. Large international companies are finally establishing policies that exclude materials sourced …

Task 3. Match each layer of the rainforest with its description.

Layers of a rainforest

Forest Floor, Understory Layer, Canopy Layer, Emergent Layer

	1) The tallest trees are the emergents, towering as much as 200 feet above the forest floor with trunks that measure up to 16 feet around. Most of these trees are broad-leaved, hardwood evergreens. Sunlight is plentiful up here. Animals found are eagles, monkeys, bats and butterflies.
	2) This is the primary layer of the forest and forms a roof over the two remaining layers. Most canopy trees have smooth, oval leaves that come to a point. It’s a maze of leaves and branches. Many animals live in this area since food is abundant. Those animals include: snakes, toucans and treefrogs.
	3) Little sunshine reaches this area so the plants have to grow larger leaves to reach the sunlight. The plants in this area seldom grow to 12 feet. Many animals live here including jaguars, red-eyed tree frogs and leopards. There is a large concentration of insects here.
	4) It’s very dark down here. Almost no plants grow in this area, as a result. Since hardly any sun reaches the forest floor things begin to decay quickly. A leaf that might take one year to decompose in a regular climate will disappear in 6 weeks. Giant anteaters live in this layer.