Q 01/05

After the Amazon, the world's second-largest tropical rainforest lies in which river basin?

A) Mekong

B) Congo

C) Orinoco

D) Niger

Answer · why

B) Congo

Congo's rainforest hides a vast swamp of peat, mapped only in 2017, that locks away about 30 billion tonnes of carbon, about as much as all the basin'...

Q 02/05

The Amazon rainforest lies on which continent?

A) Africa

B) North America

C) Australia

D) South America

Answer · why

D) South America

South America's great river rises in the Andes only a short distance from the Pacific, then crosses almost the whole continent the other way, draining...

Q 03/05

What is the uppermost stratum of a rainforest, where the tallest trees rise above the rest, called?

A) Emergent layer

B) Forest floor

C) Understory

D) Canopy

Answer · why

A) Emergent layer

Emergent layer life is so exposed, with strong winds, full sun and only slender top branches to stand on, that most of its animals are fliers: eagles,...

Q 04/05

What is the main purpose of the pointed 'drip tips' on many rainforest leaves?

A) To absorb more sunlight

B) To shed excess rainwater

C) To store water during dry periods

D) To deter herbivores

Answer · why

B) To shed excess rainwater

To shed excess rainwater: the narrow point works like a spout, so rain runs to the tip and drips away, and the leaf dries quickly instead of staying w...

Q 05/05

Which big cat is the apex predator of the Amazon rainforest?

A) Tiger

B) Lion

C) Jaguar

D) Leopard

Answer · why

C) Jaguar

Jaguar jaws are strong enough to pierce turtle shells, and the cat often kills by biting straight through the back of its prey's skull instead of goin...