1. Rainforests are the lungs of the world absorbing pollution and creating oxygen to sustain the planet.
   Rainforests help to stabilize climate and to moderate our weather.
2. Both of the above are true of rain forests.

Rainforests act as the lungs of our world; they absorb pollution and create oxygen to help sustain our planet. The world’s rainforests also help to stabilize climate and to moderate our weather.

1. about 4,000 years
   about 1,500 years
2. about 800 years

A recent study focusing on the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest found that certain aspects could return surprisingly quickly -- within 65 years. However, for the landscape to regain its native identity would take up to 4,000 years.

1. Rainforests are growing back as quickly as they are disappearing.
   There will be rainforests long after our generation is gone from the earth.
2. At the rate rainforests are being cut down humans could see the end to our world’s rainforests in our lifetime.

According to Leslie Taylor in a book published in 2004, at the rate rainforests are currently being cut down, humans could see the end to our world’s rainforests in our lifetime. This is a scary proposition that we must collectively do whatever we can to reverse the trend.

1. stump capping
   slash and burn
2. selective harvesting

Harvesting forests for hardwood or in preparation for agriculture employs a method called slash and burn, whereby any branches of wood or undergrowth not harvested is burned. Nothing is left to sustain life or to encourage new growth.

1. Exert pressure on companies using products from rainforests to employ sustainability practices.
   Reward businesses that ensure rainforest products are harvested employing sustainability practices.
2. Both of the above are ways to promote solid environmental practices are employed in rainforests.

Consumers in the United States and other developed countries must put pressure on companies to use sustainable practices and reward companies or businesses that make ethical decisions. When timber is harvested with sustainability in mind, both companies and the rainforest are winners.

1. an acre is cut down every two seconds
   an acre is cut down every 10 minutes
2. an acre is cut down every hour

The equivalent of one acre of rainforest is cut down every two seconds around the world. This is an astonishing amount of rainforest that is most likely lost forever and the devastation is already having a negative impact on our environment.

1. papaya
   periwinkle
2. curare

Periwinkle grows naturally in the rainforest; it is harvested in the springtime and the powerful anticancer drug Vincristine is derived from this plant. This drug has dramatically increased survival rates from acute lymphocytic leukemia.

1. 50 percent
   60 percent
2. 70 percent

The National Cancer Institute has named many plants that protect against cancer, and 70 percent of these are found in the rainforest. There are active ingredients in hundreds of disease fighting drugs that originate from plants found in rainforests.

1. There is a phenomenal amount of unexplored rainforest where no human has ever set foot.
   There are indigenous undiscovered peoples untouched by civilization living traditional lives in rainforests.
2. Both of the above statements are correct.

In the world’s rainforests, there are phenomenal amounts of unexplored area where no human has ever set foot. There are also undiscovered indigenous peoples that remain untouched by civilization living their traditional lives in rainforests.

1. the U.S International Botanical Database in the National Archives
   inside the heads of indigenous Medicine Men
2. the World Health Organization Database in Geneva

Medicine men that take care of indigenous people in the rainforest carry a wealth of knowledge about plants that heal and enrich our lives. The ancient wisdom of the rainforests' indigenous people and their healers should be respected by all.