The Amazon rainforest crosses into eight countries,     1     (include) Brazil and Peru, and one overseas region of France. With     2     area of around 6 million square kilometres, the Amazon rainforest is more than half the size of China. The rainforest gets its name from the Amazon River,     3     is close to 6, 400 kilometres in length.

Of the 390, 000 plant species known to us, more than 40, 000 can     4     (find) in the Amazon. The forest's different levels support an unbelievable     5     (various) of wildlife. At the bottom, there is a system of roots beneath the ground. Above that is the mass of leaf litter on the dark forest floor. The next level is made up of shorter plants with large     6     (leaf). Then there are     7     (tower) ancient hardwoods, and finally the tops of the tallest trees many metres above the ground.

However, over the past 50 years, about 17 per cent of the rainforest     8     (disappear) due to human activities. As the list of species     9     danger of extinction becomes longer, we are left with a question: can we afford     10     (damage) the“ lungs of the planet”?

In the presence of animals

A professor of public health at UCLA says that pet ownership might provide a new form of health care. As far back as the 1790s, the elderly at a senior citizens’ home in England     1     (encourage) to spend time with farm animals. This would help patients’ mental state more than the cruel therapies     2     (use) on the mentally ill at the time. In recent years, scientists have finally begun to find proofs     3     contact with animals increases a sick person’s chance of survival, and has been shown     4     (lower) heart rate, calms upset children, and gets people to start a conversation.

Scientists think that animals’ companionship is beneficial     5     animals are accepting and attentive, and they don’t criticize or give orders. Animals have the unique ability to be more social. For example, visitors to nursing homes get more social responses from patients when they come with animal companions.

Not only do people seem     6     (anxious) when animals are nearby, but they may also live longer. Studies show that a year     7     heart surgery, survival rates for heart patients were higher for those with pets in their homes than those without pets. Elderly people with pets make fewer trips to doctors than those without animal companions, possibly because animals relieve loneliness. Staying with animals is believed to create a peaceful state of mind,     8     (result) in a favorable environment for everyone.

Research confirms that the findings concerning senior citizens can be applied to restless children. They are more easy-going when there are animals around, with     9     company they tend to calm down more easily. They involve    10     in playing with animals and the presence of animals comforts them greatly.