CHAPTER 8: SYNTHESISING (PAGE 136-169)

Practice 1 (Page 139)

Read the synthesis paragraph below. In the blank table given, write down what each
author has stated.

Assignment Assessment is Better than the Traditional Examination

TOPIC SENTENCE Using assignment essays for assessment supports learning better than the

traditional examination system. It is considered that course-work assignment essays can lessen

the extreme stress experienced by some students over "sudden death" end of semester

examinations and reduce the failure rate (Peters, 2008). Study skills researcher, Jones (2004),

defends assessment by assignment because research assignments can be used to assess students

learning mid-course and so provide them with helpful feedback. Jones also considers that

assignment work lends itself to more critical approaches which help the students to learn the

discourse of their subjects. In contrast, Abbot (2008) argues that assignments are inefficient,

costly to manage and are the cause of plagiarism problems in universities. He states that

"assessment by examination is a clean-cut approach as you evaluate students' knowledge under

supervised circumstances" (Abbot, 2008, p. 20). The weight of evidence, however, would

suggest that it is a fairer and more balanced approach to have some assessments by assignment

rather than completely by examinations. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WRITER’S ARGUMENT

Source: University of New England, 2016.

 AUTHORS/YEAR BENEFITS CHALLENGES
Peters (2008) lessen the extreme stress reduce the failure rate
Jones (2004) research assignments can be critical approaches which help

used to assess students learning the students to learn the

mid-course and so provide discourse of their subjects

them with helpful feedback

Abbot (2008) assessment by examination is a costly to manage and are the

clean-cut approach as you cause of plagiarism

evaluate students' knowledge

under supervised circumstances

Explanation

The above paragraph argues that assessment by assignment is fairer than examinations for
evaluating student learning and testing their knowledge. This creates a stronger body of evidence
for your argument. The first sentence is the topic sentence that states the writer's argument and
tells the reader what to expect. The last sentence shows the development of the writer's argument
based on the evidence from various articles.

Practice 2 (Page 140)

Look for three short paragraphs on "online learning". In the blank boxes below, write down what

each author has said about each category. Some boxes might be blank, but the more complete

you can make the boxes, the more well developed the synthesis will be.
 AUTHORS BENEFITS OTHER KEY INFORMATION
Author A very convenience, can use a computer access important for people who live in

and Internet connection anywhere remote ar rural areas and

cannot recolate or commute to

school
Author B Reduce the Reachability Issue It takes less time to attend an

online class.
Author C effective students can finish their

homework quickly.

A common problem with synthesis that you should avoid:

• Do not rely on a single source to construct your writing:

Practice 3 (Page 143) (NOTE-TAKING FOR SYNTHESISING)-THE EFFECT OF

PLAYING COMPUTER GAMES ON PHYSICAL HEALTH

Excerpt 1 Excerpt 2

This study has therefore revealed that children It is claimed that computer games have
who play computer games on a regular basis negative physical effects on the eyesight,
experience a number of medical problems. hands and posture. However, all of these are
The evidence suggests that the most serious caused by the computer hardware and
problem is crooked posture, which is caused equipment, not by the software. The same
by their being hunched over their computers physical effects occur from prolonged usage
for considerable periods of time. Another of computers for any reason, such as for
common problem associated with playing word-processing. In fact, carpal tunnel
computer games over long periods (when the syndrome was identified as a workplace
same moves are constantly repeated) is that of ailment caused by office programs, not
 pain in the hands. games. These physical effects can all be
reduced or eliminated by having better
hardware and paying more attention to
ergonomics, such as higher-resolution and
higher-contrast screens, and supportive
furniture.
Brown, M. J. (2000). The impact of
computer games on children's physical health. Harry, K. J. (2009. Computer games.
Journal of Physical Health, 23(1), 126-142. Journal of Social Science, 21 (2), 116-132.

Based on Excerpt 1 and Excerpt 2 and the examples of syntheses that follow, make notes in the
table provided below.

Excerpt 1 Excerpt 2

Playing computer games on a regular basis Computer games have negative physical
experience a number of medical problems. effects on the eyesight, hands and posture.
Being hunched over their computers for The same physical effects occur from
considerable periods of time. Another prolonged usage of computers for any reason,
common problem associated with playing such as for word-processing. carpal tunnel
computer games over long periods (when the syndrome was identified as a workplace
same moves are constantly repeated) is that of ailment caused by office programs, not
pain in the hands. games.
The following examples show the different ways similar ideas can be synthesised from

Excerpt 1 and Excerpt 2.

Example 1

The effects of playing computer games on physical health are controversial. Although Brown
(2000, p. 141) states that computer games can cause physical problems such as bad posture and
pain in the hands, Harry (2009 argues that these problems are caused by the hardware, not the
games. In my opinion, the games cause physical health problems because they encourage long
periods of computer use on harmful hardware.
Example 2

The effects of playing computer games on physical health are controversial. Brown (2000, p.
141) suggests that computer games can cause physical problems such as bad posture and pain in
the hands. However, Harry (2009) points out that these problems are caused by the hardware, not
the games. I believe that the physical health problems are caused by the games as they encourage
long periods of computer use on harmful hardware.

Example 3

The effects of playing computer games on physical health are controversial. According to Brown
(2000, p. 141), computer games can cause physical problems such as bad posture and pain in the
hands. Harry (2009) disagrees and argues that these problems are caused by the hardware, not
the games. I contend that the physical health problems are due to the long periods of computer
use on harmful hardware which occur when children play computer games.

Practice 4 (Page 145)

Read Excerpt 1 and Excerpt 2. Write your synthesis in the space provided

TITLE: THE EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE IN COMPUTER GAMES

Excerpt 1

As was noted earlier, the majority of computer games produced today have violence as their principal
theme. Despite the growing concerns of parents and teachers in the past decade, it would appear from
my research that violence in computer games is becoming increasingly realistic and explicit. We are thus
faced with the familiar question: Does playing violent computer games lead to aggressive behaviour in
young people? This is clearly a highly complex issue. Research conducted in the past decade has
revealed that young people who regularly play violent computer games have a tendency to be more
aggressive than those who do not. Perhaps not surprisingly, my findings tend to support this position.

Walker, A. (2001). Computer games and adolescent aggression. In N. Peters (Ed.), Research into the
effects of computer games (pp. 108-124). London: St Martin's Press.

Excerpt 2

When we talk about violence, the modern media surrounds us with violence. Television programmes
such as the news, newspaper reports of sports such as boxing and radio dramas often involve a lot of
violence. It is difficult to watch television for one day without seeing an explosion, car chase, death or
violence. Moreover, children's programmes are especially violent, as is shown by Tom and Jerry. If young
children are expected to realise that it is only a cartoon, teenagers playing computer games can also
recognise that they are only a game. It is important to remember that, many computer games are non-
violent, for example, The Sims' is a very popular game of social interaction, and football playing and
management games involve almost no violence.

Wagner, A. (2015). Managing computer games. Journal of Communication, 20 (1), 13cl-153.

Computer games can affect to violence in nowadays. Despite the growing concerns of parents

and teachers in the past decade, it would appear from my research that violence in computer

games is becoming increasingly realistic and explicit. Research conducted in the past decade has

revealed that young people who regularly play violent computer games have a tendency to be

more aggressive than those who do not (Walker, 2001). In addition, television programmes such

as the news, newspaper reports of sports such as boxing and radio dramas often involve a lot of

violence. It is difficult to watch television for one day without seeing an explosion, car chase,

death or violence. If young children are expected to realise that it is only a cartoon, teenagers

playing computer games can also recognise that they are only a game (Wagner, 2015).

Practice 5 (Page 146)

Read Excerpt 1 and Excerpt 2. Write your synthesis in the space provided

TITLE: THE EFFECTS OF COMPUTER GAMES ON YOUNG PEOPLE

Excerpt 1
Clearly, one of the most serious problems associated with playing computer games is that they
are highly addictive. Parents often find that when their children start playing games they simply
cannot stop. There is some evidence that as a result of their compulsive involvement in computer
games, some young people tend to ignore more important activities such as homework and
reading. There are also concerns that their solitary absorption in computer games prevents them
from interacting with family and friends.

Davies, S. (2003). Computer games and personal development. Family Forum. Retrieved from
http://www.ff.org

Excerpt 2
Popular activities of any sort can be addictive. For example, some people are addicted to sport
and some to television. Both these examples, and many others, can be harmful to one's health
and social life if done too much. In addition, the quality of a computer game is an important
factor that may cause people to play it a lot, in fact, some players think that a good computer
game should be addictive.
Lee, A. T. (2015). Dealing with computer games. Journal of Social Sciences, 15 (1), 20-45.
The effect of computer games among young people clearly, one of the most serious problems

associated with playing computer games is that they are highly addictive. There is some evidence

that as a result of their compulsive involvement in computer games, some young people tend to

ignore more important activities such as homework and reading (Davies, 2003). As we know,

Popular activities of any sort can be addictive. For example, some people are addicted to sport

and some to television. Both these examples, and many others, can be harmful to one's health

and social life if done too much (Lee, 2015).

Practice 6 (Page 147)

Read Excerpt 1 and Excerpt 2. Write your synthesis in the space provided

TITLE: THE USES OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AROUND THE WORLD

Excerpt 1
Doubts about the value of the English language are raised when we consider the economic
performance of certain EFL and ESL countries in recent decades. In the post-World War II
period Japan and Germany have been two of the most dynamic economies in the world. In the
case of Japan, where English is learned as a foreign language, it would be reasonable to argue
that very few employees possess high levels of proficiency in the language. While it is true that
English levels in Germany are higher than in Japan, it must be remembered that the language is
still learned as a foreign language. Unlike Hong Kong, it is not used as the medium of instruction
at secondary and tertiary levels in Germany; nor has it enjoyed the status of an official language
(e.g. in government and the law). Another point to consider is that English is widely used as a
second language in Asia (e.g. the Philippines, India) and Africa (e.g. Kenya, Zimbabwe). If the
use of English is so important to a country's economic development, why are ESL countries like
the Philippines significantly less prosperous than EFL countries like Japan and Germany?

Chan, A. (2003). EUL: English as a useless language. English Review, 5(3), 22-34.

Excerpt 2
The English language has invaded the workplace along with the global economy. Some Swedish
companies, for example, use English within the workplace even though they are in Sweden,
because so much of their business is done through the Internet and other means of
communication with the outside world. Although Chinese and other languages are rapidly
increasing their share of Internet traffic, English is likely to remain the common language.
Jones, C. (2011). English for global communication. Journal of Social Sciences, 15 (1), 20-45.
Most country in the world take an English Language as their second language. In the case of

Japan, where English is learned as a foreign language, it would be reasonable to argue that very

few employees possess high levels of proficiency in the language. Unlike Hong Kong, it is not

used as the medium of instruction at secondary and tertiary levels in Germany; nor has it enjoyed

the status of an official language (e.g. in government and the law). Another point to consider is

that English is widely used as a second language in Asia (e.g. the Philippines, India) and Africa

(e.g. Kenya, Zimbabwe) (Chan, 2003). Nowadays, some Swedish companies, for example, use

English within the workplace even though they are in Sweden, because so much of their business

is done through the Internet and other means of communication with the outside world. Although

Chinese and other languages are rapidly increasing their share of Internet traffic, English is likely

to remain the common language (Jones, 2011).

Practice 7 (Page 148)

Read Excerpt 1 and Excerpt 2. Write your synthesis in the space provided

TITLE: EFFECTS OF INTERNET USING.

Excerpt 1
One problem that Internet users have to deal with is the huge quantity and variety of sources of
possible interest to them. This creates problems of how to select relevant information. The
problems are aggravated by a lack of effective search tools. Many search facilities are limited in
their capabilities and are consequently not able to deal with the volume of available resources.
Some search engines often return a huge number of results to users' queries, and the details
provided in the search output often lack enough detail to enable users to assess the relevance of
the sites which are listed. However, other search engines source a limited number and kind of
sites. This makes the list of sites they provide both restrictive and possibly biased. It is hard for
the untrained eye to detect these restrictions.

Cuisinier, B. (2000). A guide to studying on the Internet. London: Lockstone Publishing.

Excerpt 2
Although, for a novice user, the results returned by Internet search engines may appear confusing
and any bias may not be obvious, these problems are becoming less serious. Although some
search engines have problems, there is a wide range of engines available. Users can choose a
search engine which suits them and gives informative and relevant results. Modern search
engines often identify sponsored links. If users find that their search engine refers them to sites
that give irrelevant commercial links, they can use a different search engine. As the Internet
becomes more mature, users become more experienced. Therefore, they can increasingly use
search terms or advanced search functions which give better results.

Nandan, A. (2011). Choosing the right search engines. Journal of Technology, 18(1), 20-34.

As we known that internet using can brings us to the bad effect of using it. One problem that

Internet users have to deal with is the huge quantity and variety of sources of possible interest to
them. This creates problems of how to select relevant information. Many search facilities are

limited in their capabilities and are consequently not able to deal with the volume of available

resources. However, other search engines source a limited number and kind of sites (Cuisinier,

2000). Although, for a novice user, the results returned by Internet search engines may appear

confusing and any bias may not be obvious, these problems are becoming less serious and some

search engines have problems, there is a wide range of engines available. Modern search engines

often identify sponsored links. If users find that their search engine refers them to sites that give

irrelevant commercial links, they can use a different search engine (Nandan, 2011).

Practice 8 (Page 149)

Read Excerpt 1 and Excerpt 2. Write your synthesis in the space provided
TITLE: THE BENEFITS OF SEARCH AN INFORMATION ON INTERNET.

Excerpt 1
It is a fact that many individuals use the internet to share their opinions with a potentially huge
audience via their own Web pages. Some of these individuals are fully qualified to
write with authority on their particular field of expertise. Others, unfortunately, are not
qualified and their views are really little more than personal opinions and beliefs rather
than fully supported, credible arguments. Clearly, a set of criteria is needed to help
students distinguish between reliable information and that which must be viewed more
critically. One criterion is that of authorship, a second the status of the website, while a
third is the credibility of a document itself. There are various checks that a student can
perform to determine these, and it is crucial that they do so.

Chan, W. K. (2001). Using information found on the Web. IT Journal, 6(2).

Excerpt 2
To check whether an author is an expert in his field involves searching the Internet
for references to that author's work and analysing whether those references are just
from people with similar opinions, or from other experts. While it is relatively easy to
determine whether a website is a high-status educational or government domain, it is
much more difficult to discover the reliability of a commercial site. The credibility of the
document may also be difficult to determine, as it may have all the components of a
reputable page, such as links to supporting evidence, but the content may still not be
credible.
Finally, there are many genuine academic debates with many valuable points of view.
There is no clear distinction between beliefs and different interpretations of evidence
in many areas.
Jaabar, A. J. (2006). Searching the Internet for information. Journal of Science and
Technology, 6(2), 15-32.
Many people like to search an information on internet rather than reading a books. It is a fact that

many individuals use the internet to share their opinions with a potentially huge audience via

their own Web pages. Some of these individuals are fully qualified to write with authority on

their particular field of expertise. Clearly, a set of criteria is needed to help students distinguish

between reliable information and that which must be viewed more critically. There are various

checks that a student can perform to determine these, and it is crucial that they do so (Chan,

2001). In addition, to check whether an author is an expert in his field involves searching the

Internet for references to that author's work and analysing whether those references are just

from people with similar opinions, or from other experts. The credibility of the document may

also be difficult to determine, as it may have all the components of a reputable page, such as

links to supporting evidence, but the content may still not be credible. Finally, there are many

genuine academic debates with many valuable points of view (Jaabar, 2006).

Practice 9 (Page 149)

Read the three excerpts given below. In Practice 9, determine which information will be
examined in order to effectively explain your topic through the synthesis process.

Excerpt 1

Often, students work jobs that introduce them to their preferred career after school is over. This
allows them to gain important introductory experience in the business and begin networking with
those in that field. Even students who work in places not connected to their majors will look
more impressive to potential employers. They will have some kind of work experience on their
resumes to start with, and the fact that they have been able to hold a job while at school attests to
their level of maturity, responsibility and time management. Employers look for employees who
understand the work environment and work well as part of a team. Having a part-time job shows
that the student is at least somewhat accustomed to the professional world, which will make the
transition that much easier.
Source: https://work.chron.com/benefits-parttime-jobs-students-q248.html

Excerpt 2
Do not forget that your main obligation, as a student, is to score good grades. Although it is not
always the case, employers prioritise students who ace their exams above average over less-than-
average exam scorers when hiring. Shouldering extra commitments such as part-time jobs might
distract you from your studies. If you face this problem, you must be able to sort out your
priorities.
While you are concerned that working while studying might distract you from focusing on your
studies, be aware that the skills that you gain from work might complement your study skills to
help you achieve good academic scores! You might also be able to develop your soft skills and
accumulate valuable experiences that would come in handy when you start your career. Working
and studying are not entirely dichotomous — if you are able to achieve an optimal equilibrium
between the two, you are one step closer to success.

Source: https://www.easguni.com/advice/is-working-part-time-for-college-students-good-or-
bad-13c17/
Excerpt 3

Schedule flexibility is another important consideration for any student weighing job options.
Some of the best choices in this respect can be found on campus, where university departments
frequently hire students and plan around their courses. The pay can be less than off-campus
opportunities, but campus jobs can also help students network with professors and administrators
who could help them find jobs after college.
Recent research has shown that working 20 hours or less each week during college has several
benefits, including increased leadership and time management skills. The same research, based
on findings from the National Survey of Student Engagement, found that grades earned by
students working 20 hours or less were consistent with the grades of full-time students not
working at all.

Source: https://www.regions.com/Insights/Personal/Personal-Finances/budgeting-and
saving/

Excerpt 1
The most suitable topic for this excerpt is
The Benefits of Part Time Job Among Students.
The key points are
allows them to gain important introductory experience in the business and begin
networking with those in that field.

Excerpt 2
The most suitable topic for this excerpt is
Manage Time between Part Time Job and Studies.
The key points are
Shouldering extra commitments such as part-time jobs might distract you from your
studies.
Excerpt 3
The most suitable topic for this excerpt is
The Benefits of Managing Time
The key points are
Some of the best choices in this respect can be found on campus, where university

departments frequently hire students and plan around their courses.

Practice 10 (Page 153)

Read the informative synthesis paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.

Forest are being destroyed massively for financial gains. Forests offer a wealth of public services
and private supplies, that include carbon storage, biodiversity habitat, water filtration, storm
mitigation, timber and non-timber goods, wild foods, medicines and not forgetting tourism
(Leong, 2013). However, despite its numerous values, forested lands are being increasingly
altered for other benefits that involve cropland, pasture, mining and urban areas, which can
produce immense private economic profits. The rate of net forest loss globally is fast (125,000
square kilometres per year) and increasing (by 2,000 square kilometres per year). Fifty-eight
percent of recent net forest loss is occurring in the tropics, with another twenty-seven percent
occurring in boreal forest (Samuel, 2013). Tropical forest is fundamentally being converted to
cropland and pasture for the manufacturing of soy, beef, palm oil and timber (Salima, 2012),
with the bulk of new global agricultural land approaching at the expense of tropical forest
(Williams, 2011).

Answer the following questions based on the above argumentative synthesis paragraph.
1. What is the key information given in the synthesis?
Forest are being destroyed massively for financial gains.

2. How many different sources did the author cite?

Four different sources.

3. What does the concluding sentence tell you about the author?
How people nowadays react with their desire.

4. Write your own opinion on the above synthesis.

In my opinion, nowadays people are selfish because of their desire to upgrade their
lifestyle that can lead to the extinction of forest population. We have to protect this
creature because they are our main sources to live since they are giving us an oxygen to
breathe.
Practice 11 (Page 165)

Based on the following five excepts, identify the key points and supporting details to
prepare and write a synthesis essay on "Reasons for Protecting the Earth's Tropical
Rainforest".
Excerpt 1

Sarah Jones 2014

Forests are one of the most valuable ecosystems in the world, containing over 60% of the
world's biodiversity. This biodiversity has multiple social and economic values, varying from
the important ecological functions of forests in terms of soil and watershed protection to the
economic value of the numerous products which can be extracted from the forests. For many
indigenous and other forest dependent people, forests are their livelihood. They provide them
with edible and medicinal plants, bush meat, fruits, honey, shelter, firewood and many other
goods, as well as with cultural and spiritual values. On a global scale, all forests play a
crucial role in climate regulation and constitute one of the major carbon sinks on earth, their
survival thus preventing an increase in the greenhouse effect.

The key point(s) mentioned in Excerpt 1

 Forest are one of the most valuable ecosystems in the world, containing over 60% of the

world’s biodiversity.

 This biodiversity has multiple social and economic values

 All forests play a crucial role in climate regulation

 Practice 12 (Page 166)

Excerpt 2

Tan Swee Hing

2014
The United States National Cancer Institute has identified more than 2,000 tropical rainforest
plants with the potential to fight cancer. And yet, as the forests come down, such plants and the
hope they embody are destroyed. Already about 40% of all drugs prescribed in the United States
owe all, or much, of their potency to chemicals from wildlife, largely from the rainforests.
Quinine, which acts against malaria, comes from the bark of a South American tree. The
armadillo is helping us find a cure for leprosy. Sufferers from high blood pressure gain relief
from the snakeroot plant from Indian forests. And the yam has given us contraceptive pills.

The key point(s) mentioned in Excerpt 2

 The United States National Cancer Institute has identified more than 2,000 tropical

rainforest plants with the potential to fight cancer.

Practice 13 (Page 166)

Excerpt 3

Hashim Muhammad
2016
Until now, there has been enough remote and underdeveloped land for small groups of people to
follow their traditional ways of life without interference; and since such people rarely make any
drastic change in their environment, their life is often life in the rainforests. The forest provides
their food (wild vegetables, fruits and hunted animals) and their material culture (houses or
shelters, boats, hunting equipment, twine, rope, poisons and medicines). There are reckoned to
be over4,000 plant species used by forest dwellers as food and medicine alone, many of which
are endemic, known only to small groups whose knowledge of the forest is passed on orally,
from generation to generation. Adapted to life in the forest, self-sufficient in it, using its products
but never destroying their source, hunting forest animals but only according to need, such
people both protect the forest and are protected by it.

The key point(s) mentioned in Excerpt 3

 people rarely make any drastic change in their environment, their life is often life in the
rainforests.
 The forest provides their food (wild vegetables, fruits and hunted animals) and their
material culture (houses or shelters, boats, hunting equipment, twine, rope, poisons and
medicines).
 over 4,000 plant species used by forest dwellers as food and medicine alone
Practice 14 (Page 167)

Excerpt 4

Sylvia Sandu
2018
Rainforests influence the carbon cycle (green plants take up carbon dioxide, which
they convert to sugars by means of photosynthesis, a process during which oxygen
is released into the air) and have a profound effect on rainfall. The uneven surface of
treetops causes air turbulence that increases the amount of water evaporating from
the forest. This forms clouds composed of tiny water droplets that fall as rain. If forests
disappear, less rain will fall, it will drain more quickly and soil temperature will rise.

The key point(s) mentioned in Excerpt 4

 Rainforest influence the carbon cycle (green plants take up carbon dioxide, which

they convert to sugars by means of photosynthesis, a process during which oxygen is

released into the air) and have a profound effect on rainfall.

 surface of treetops causes air turbulence that increase the amount of water evaporating

from the forest.

 If forest disappear, less rain will fall, it will drain more quickly and soil temperature will

rise.

Practice 15 (Page 168)

Excerpt 5

Julian Liaw
2017
Most striking is the obvious lack of trees. With the population growth in the region, the amount
of land under cultivation increases. The forests are then cut down to make way for more
agricultural terraces. This lack of trees has led to many problems. The soil is now exposed during
the dry season and this land is very vulnerable to water erosion during monsoon rains. Lack of
tree cover has led to a more exposed soil, highly susceptible to wind erosion. The consequent
depletion of the topsoil reduces soil fertility, causing great concern to the food producing
farmers. Kanda is located on very steep slopes. The soil substrate is soap stone, a particularly
porous stone mined commercially. The is thus made more vulnerable to landslides. Tree roots
help retain soil stability when waterlogged by heavy downpours. In hilly areas, tree roots help in
the maintenance of a healthy watershed system. Nowadays, with much forests gone, many
springs stop running in the dry season. Without the drawing action of deep tree roots, the
underground water table has dropped beyond reach. Floods downstream from valleys such as
Kanda are said to result from the lack of tree cover in the Himalayan Hills. With monsoon
patterns changing and torrential unseasonal downpours increasingly common, this problem
worsens to often catastrophic consequences.

The key point(s) mentioned in Excerpt 5

 This lack of tree has led to many problems.

 Tree roots help retain soil stability when waterlogged by heavy downpours.
Practice 16 (Page 168)

Using the key point(s) and supporting details gathered from Excerpts 1 to 5, write a

synthesis essay of about 500 words on "Reasons for Protecting the Earth's Tropical

Rainforest". Document your sources using the APA style.

There are so many reason for protecting the earth’s tropical rainforest and this action are

important because forest are one of the most valuable ecosystems in the world, containing over

60% of the world’s biodiversity. This biodiversity has multiple social and economic values and

all forests are play a crucial role in climate regulation (Sarah, 2014). In addition, The United

States National Cancer Institute has identified more than 2,000 tropical rainforest plants with the

potential to fight cancer (Tan, 2014) and people nowadays are rarely make any drastic change in

their environment, their life is often life in the rainforests. This situation can show that forest

provides their food (wild vegetables, fruits and hunted animals) and their material culture

(houses or shelters, boats, hunting equipment, twine, rope, poisons and medicines). There are

also over 4,000 plant species used by forest dwellers as food and medicine alone (Hashim, 2016).

Rainforest influence the carbon cycle (green plants take up carbon dioxide, which they convert to

sugars by means of photosynthesis, a process during which oxygen oxygen is released into the

air) and have a profound effect on rainfall. Besides, the surface of treetops causes air turbulence

that increase the amount of water evaporating from the forest. If forest disappear, less rain will

fall, it will drain more quickly and soil temperature will rise (Sylvia, 2018). This lack of tree has

led to many problems. Finally, tree roots help retain soil stability when waterlogged by heavy

downpours.