阅读理解
A rainforest is an area covered by tall trees with the total high rainfall spreading quite equally through
the year and the temperature rarely dipping below 16℃. Rainforests have a great effect on the world
environment because they can take in heat from the sun and adjust the climate.
Without the forest cover, these areas would reflect more heat into the atmosphere, warming the rest
of the world. Losing the rainforests may also influence wind and rainfall patterns, potentially causing
certain natural disasters all over the world.
In the past hundred years, humans have begun destroying rainforests in search of three major
resources (资源):land forcrops, wood for paper and other products ,land for raising farm animals. This
action affects the environment as a whole. For example, a lot of carbon dioxide (二氧化碳) in the air
comes from burning the rainforests. People obviously have a need for the resources we gain from cutting
trees but we will suffer much more than we will benefit.
There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, when people cut down trees , generally they can only use
the land for a year or two. Secondly, cutting large sections of rainforests may provide a good supply of
wood right now,but in the long run it actually reduces the world's wood supply.
Rainforests are often called the world's drug store. More than 25% of the medicines we use today
come from plants in rainforests. However, fewer than l% of rainforest plants have been examined for
their medical value. It is extremely likely that our best chance to cure diseases lies somewhere in the
world's shrinking rainforests.
1. Rainforests can help to adjust the climate because they_________.
A.reflect more heat into the atmosphere
B. bring about high rainfall throughout the world
C. rarely cause the temperature to drop lower than 16℃
D. reduce the effect of heat from the sun on the earth
2. What does the word "this" underlined in the third paragraph refer to?
A. We will lose much more than we can gain.
B. Humans have begun destroying rainforests.
C. People have a strong desire for resources.
D. Much carbon dioxide comes from buming rainforests.
3. It can be inferred from the text that____________.
A. we can get enough resources without rainforests
B. there is great medicine potential in rainforests
C. we will grow fewer kinds of crops in the gained land
D. the level of annual rainfall affects wind patterns
4. What might be the best title for the text?
A. How to Save Rainforests
B. How to Protect Nature
C. Rainforests and the Environment
D. Rainforests and Medical Development
