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Comprehension and Critical Thinking

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Comprehension and Critical Thinking

Read the passage, then answer each question. Use details from the text to support your thinking.

A Reef Under Pressure

Along the coast of Queensland lies a vast underwater world: the Great Barrier Reef. It is made up of many reefs and islands, and its warm waters provide homes and feeding grounds for turtles, fish, rays and countless other living things. Tiny animals called coral polyps build the hard structures that form coral reefs. A healthy reef is full of colour, but heat can put coral under stress. When ocean water stays unusually warm, coral may push out the tiny algae that live inside it. The coral then turns pale. This is known as coral bleaching. Bleached coral is not always dead, but if stressful conditions continue, it may not recover. The reef also receives water from rivers on the mainland. After heavy rain, soil and other material can wash into those rivers and out to sea. This can make the water cloudy and affect the reef. Researchers study reef conditions and test ways to help damaged areas recover. Protecting the reef also means reducing the pressures people can influence, such as pollution and the gases that warm the planet.

Choose the best answer

Select one answer for each question, except where the question asks you to choose two.

1.Where is the Great Barrier Reef?

In the waters off Queensland
In the middle of the Tasman Sea
Off the coast of South Australia
In the Southern Ocean

2.What can happen to coral when the ocean stays unusually warm?

It may release the algae living inside it and turn pale.
It grows a hard shell to keep out the heat.
It moves to a cooler part of the ocean.
It changes into a different kind of sea animal.

3.Choose TWO effects or risks described in the passage.

Warm water can stress coral.
Cloudy water can affect the reef.
Turtles build the reef's hard structures.
Heavy rain makes ocean water colder.

4.What is the main purpose of this passage?

To explain some features of the reef and pressures that affect it
To tell a fictional adventure about a turtle
To give directions for visiting Queensland
To compare different kinds of ocean fish

Find evidence and explain

Answer in complete sentences where you can. Refer to the passage when asked for evidence.

5.What are coral polyps, and what do they build?

6.Why might heavy rain on the mainland affect the reef? Use a detail from the passage.

7.The passage says bleached coral is not always dead. What does this suggest about the coral?

8.Name one pressure people can help reduce, according to the passage. Give one practical example of how people could help.

9.Do you think researchers' work is important for the reef's future? Give your view and support it with two reasons, using ideas from the passage.

Think deeper

Use information from the passage and your own reasoning.

10.Imagine you are writing to the Australian Government about reef protection. Write a persuasive paragraph explaining why action matters. Include at least one fact or idea from the passage and one persuasive phrase.

11.Suggest two actions researchers might investigate to help the reef. Explain why each action could be useful.