The Rainforest

10/13/2022 1:59:00 PM
Paul Hobcraft - Rainforest photo-1570828066702-7706220a65f6 - The Future Shapers
Image: thefutureshapers.com

Do you know?

  • Rainforests cover about 6% of the Earth‘s land surface. Rainforests get at least 250cm of rain a year. Sometimes it’s almost double that at 450cm.
  • It can take ten minutes for a falling raindrop to travel from a rainforest’s thick canopy to the floor.

Let's explore more in the following passage!

Let's learn some new words before you read the passage:

Listen and complete the passage.

consistency concern humid
identified ecosystem lush


One of the most talked about places in the world is the rainforest. This amazing has more species and plants than all the other ecosystems in the world combined. There are more than 10 million species. Scientists say that there are even species that haven’t been yet.

The rainforest is a and green place. It is called the rainforest because it rains a lot. It may begin raining at a moment’s notice. Constant thunderstorms lead to a lot of flooding and very wet soil. It is also a very hot and place. The climate remains the same all the time. This in climate creates a stable environment for many plants and animals. The largest rainforests can be found in the African Congo, the Amazon Basin in South America, and Southern Asia.

There is a lot of about the amount of rainforest that is being destroyed. Animals and plant species become extinct when their environment is destroyed. Scientists say that over 500 square miles of the rainforest is destroyed every minute. That’s a lot of destruction!

Why is the rainforest being destroyed? There are many different reasons. One of the reasons is so that farmers can make fields to grow plants. The rainforest is also chopped down to use the wood for things like furniture. Organizations have been set up to try and keep people from cutting down any more rainforests. 

Read and answer the following questions.

The Rainforest

The Amazon is the world's largest rainforest. Image: t3.ftcdn.net50

One of the most talked-about places in the world is the rain forest. This amazing ecosystem has more species and plants than all the other ecosystems in the world combined. There are more than 10 million species. Scientists say that there are even species that haven’t been identified yet.

The rainforest is a lush and green place. It is called the rainforest because it rains a lot. It may begin raining at a moment’s notice. Constant thunderstorms lead to a lot of flooding and very wet soil. It is also a very hot and humid place. The climate remains the same all the time. This consistency in climate creates a stable environment for many plants and animals. The largest rainforests can be found in the African Congo, the Amazon Basin in South America, and Southern Asia.

There is a lot of concern about the amount of rainforest that is being destroyed. Animals and plant species become extinct when their environment is destroyed. Scientists say that over 500 square miles of the rainforest are destroyed every minute. That’s a lot of destruction!

Why is the rainforest being destroyed? There are many different reasons. One of the reasons is so that farmers can make fields to grow plants. The rainforest is also chopped down to use the wood for things like furniture. Organizations have been set up to try and keep people from cutting down any more rainforests.

Source: Daily Warm-ups Reading Grade 5

Which of the following is mentioned in the passage?

  • The rainforest has been around for millions of years.
  • The climate of the rainforest remains constant.
  • Money has been raised to save the rainforest.
  • Scientists use the rainforest to study animal species.

Without the rain, what would probably happen to the rainforest?

  • It could not withstand the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
  • There would be no weather patterns.
  • It would dry up and some plants and animals could not survive.
  • There would be more destruction of the rainforest.

What do you know from reading the passage?

  • No action has been taken to protect the rainforest.
  • Rainforests are home to several unknown species.
  • The Amazon Basin covers more than 500 square miles.
  • People chop down the rain forest for construction purposes.

Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?

  • The destruction of rainforests has raised public concerns.
  • Rainforests are being cut down to make way for farmland.
  • No ecosystem has as many species and plants as the rainforest.
  • Constant thunderstorms only happen in rainforests.

The writer wrote this passage to _____.

  • raise public awareness of the rainforest protection
  • illustrate the biodiversity of the rainforest
  • explain the destruction of the rainforest today
  • suggest ways to prevent rainforests from cutting down

Build your vocabulary by learning these intensive phrases/idioms

Large areas of rainforest are being _____ down every day.

  • chopped
  • jotted
  • turned
  • cooled

Mark is so focused on product details that he can't see the forest for the _____ when it comes to the overall needs of the company.

  • plants
  • trees
  • animals
  • species

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first one, using the word in a bracket. You must use between THREE and FIVE words, including the word given. Do not change the word given.

It's necessary for firemen to be able to respond to the scenes instantly. (NOTICE)

=> Firefighters need to be able to spring into action at .