Part 3 Reading and Writing (第三部分 读写) (共39分) IX. Reading comprehension: (24分) Choose the best answer: (6分) ★ Have you ever been in a rainforest? There aren’t any in Europe but there are some in Africa, Asia and South America. It is believed that over 50% of the world’s species of plants and animals are found in the rainforest. I was in a rainforest once. It was hot and dark. It was also very wet. Water was falling from the leaves of the trees like rain. The ground was covered with dead leaves but there were thousands of new plants growing. The most exciting plants were the large trees. Some were 50 metres high. I could only see little pieces of blue sky through the leaves. It was very noisy. I could hear lots of birds. They were hard to see but I saw one green and red parrot flying high above me. It was beautiful. The insects also made a lot of noise and I could feel them on my arms and legs. I didn’t see any monkeys. They were probably sleeping high up in the treetops. I saw a small snake on the ground. I hate snakes so I walked quickly but carefully out of the forest. I wouldn’t like to live in a rainforest but I am happy that I could see one before they all disappear from the Earth. ( ) 53. How many species of plants and animals are found in the rainforest?