Unit 25 The Amazon Rainforest on Fire 

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The Amazon rainforest is a vast tract of largely untamed jungle that spans more than 2 million square miles in northern South America, mainly in Brazil and partly in Peru, Colombia and six other nations. As the Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystem, the Amazon rainforest is home to millions of plants and animals. This abundance of life is vital to the survival of human societies. In addition to its biodiversity, the Amazon rainforest plays a critical role in regulating the climate, with its trees absorbing and storing millions of tons of carbon dioxide― a key greenhouse gas that drives global climate change.

Unfortunately, having existed for 50 million years, the Amazon rainforest is now under threat not only because of wildfires but also because of fires set to clear land for ranching and agriculture. Over the decades, fires break out every year in the Amazon rainforest, often accidentally during the dry months of September and October. But recent satellite photographs showed that many fires in the Brazilian portion of the rainforest were set deliberately to clear land.

Scientists who study the Amazon rainforest worry that deforestation could bring it to an ecological “tipping point” at which the entire ecosystem collapses. That could cripple regional economies and cause the loss of many indigenous species. What’s worse, the decline of the Amazon rainforest could also affect the global climate. If the burning of vegetation released all that carbon into the atmosphere, efforts to limit climate change by cutting down on carbon dioxide emissions would become pointless.

In response to rapid deforestation in the Amazon, the Brazilian government has reformed its forest laws, resulting in a wide range of new regulations and policies aimed at stopping deforestation while promoting economic activities. But that doesn’t seem to be enough to stop the fires. It is time for all the residents on earth to take action to change the way we look after our planet before it is too late.

Reading Comprehension

1. Which of the following information is NOT included in the first paragraph?

AThe location of the Amazon rainforest.

BThe list of indigenous species in the Amazon rainforest.

CThe significance of the Amazon rainforest.

DThe size of the Amazon rainforest.

2. What does “tipping point” in the third paragraph most likely mean?

AThe time at which a change in an evolving situation cannot be stopped.

BThe most exciting or important moment in an event, usually near the end.

CThe point at which a process or an activity is the most successful.

DThe early stage of growth or development of something.

3. How did the Brazilian government respond to rapid deforestation within the country?

ABy placing more restrictions to limit their economic activity.

BBy moving the residents to other places to protect rainforests.

CBy improving laws and enacting new regulations.

DBy calling on the international community to help.

4. According to the first paragraph, the Amazon Rainforest is important not only because of its critical role in regulating the climate, but also because of its .

5. Based on the second paragraph, what are the two reasons why the Amazon Rainforest is under threat? (1)

(2)

Words and Idioms

1. abundance [E `bOndEns] n. 豐富；充足

There is an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables available in this supermarket.

2. regulate [` rHgjEclet] v. 管理；控制

The patient is advised to take the drug on time, for it helps to regulate his blood sugar.

3. agriculture [` AgrIckOltSP] n. 農業

In some under-developed countries, agriculture is still largely based on traditional methods.

4. satellite [` sAtBcaIt] n. 人造衛星

The Olympic games can be transmitted around the world by satellite. 5. deliberately [dI `lIbErItlI] adv. 故意地

Peter said that he didn’t push Lucy deliberately and that it was an accident. 6. collapse [kE

`lAps] v. / n. 崩潰；瓦解

Over half of the buildings were badly damaged in the earthquake and may collapse at any time. 7. cripple [`krIpB] v. 1使陷入癱瘓 2使殘廢

The soccer team was almost crippled by the absence of its key player.

8. regional [` ridZEnB] adj. 地區的；區域的

Development in nuclear power has posed a threat to regional and world peace.

9. indigenous [In `dIdZInEs] adj. 土生土長的

It is crucial for governments in all countries to try their best to preserve indigenous culture.

10. resident [` rHzEdEnt] n. 居民

Local residents are staging a protest against the worsening air pollution in the city. 11. be home to ph. 是⋯的棲息地

The tropical rainforest is home to some of the most diverse and unique species on the planet. 12. cut down on ph. 減少；縮減

Most doctors advise that the patients should cut down on smoking and drinking coffee.

Words for Recognition

★ tract n. 大片土地 ★ untamed adj. 未開發的

★ span v. 延伸到⋯

★ ranch v. 經營牧場（或農場） ★ biodiversity n. 生物多樣性 ★ vegetation n. 植被

★ emission n. （氣體、熱量、光線等的）排放

★ pointless adj. 無意義的

Vocabulary Exercises

I. Words in Context: Fill in each blank with a word or an idiom from the box. Change the word form if necessary.

regulate cripple collapse resident deliberately cut down on agriculture abundance regional satellite indigenous be home to

1 Recently, tourism has replaced as the nation’s major source of income. 2. It is believed that the people have lived on this island for hundreds of years. 3. These parking spaces are reserved for the living in the neighborhood only. 4. To lose some weight, my roommate decides to his consumption of junk food. 5. This fertile land used to a large variety of plants and animals. 6. Emma’s parents strictly how much TV she gets to watch during weekdays. 7. David thought his whole world had when he was diagnosed with cancer. 8. According to the news, the traffic flow in the city ’s downtown area was by a series of car accidents.

II. Match: Match each word with its definition. The first one has been done for you. 1. regional to fall down suddenly because of pressure or having no strength or support

2. collapse 3. regulate the situation in which there is more than enough of something to injure someone so that they are unable to walk or move in a normal way

4. resident

5. abundance

6. cripple relating to or coming from a particular part of a country a person who lives or has their home in a place to control an activity or process, especially by rules