The Amazon Rainforest is home to a great variety of plant life;     1    , its soil is     2    (surprising) poor in nutrients. In fact, the soil in the region cannot support agriculture for more than a few years. If we give scientists a report     3     lists the nutrients of that soil, he or she will probably think that only desert     4    (plant) can survive in it! Then why is the soil so poor in nutrients? For one thing, the rainy season has     5     impact on the soil. In the rainy season, the water level can rise to more than 12 metres.     6     the water goes away, it takes away the nutrients in the soil.     7     another thing, due to the Amazon’s hot climate, it is difficult for the soil     8    (build) up enough nutrients. Dead plants and animals     9    (break) down more quickly. The nutrients are soon taken in by the roots of the plants deep beneath the ground. As a result, most of the forest’s nutrients are locked up in the plants themselves,     10    (allow) them to grow at an unbelievable speed.