Embedded Files
Learning Standards
Learning Standards
- Understand the main points in longer texts on a range of familiar topics
- Explain own point of view
Unit Opener
Unit Opener
Why do you think the Equator is an imaginary line?
Pre Reading
Pre Reading
Word Focus
coral polyp
a small animal that lives in the sea
limestone
a rock that is made of calcium carbonate
cement
a grey powder that is mixed with sand and water to make concrete
Equator
an imaginary line drawn around the middle of the earth
mollusc
an animal that has a soft body and is often covered with a shell
stun
make unconscious and unable to move for a short time
Find meaning of these words in your own language.
Find meaning of these words in your own language.
While Reading
While Reading
Cities Beneath the Sea
Cities Beneath the Sea
Coral polyps are truly the animals that helped make the world. For millions of years, tiny coral polyps have been building underwater cities. The polyps create something called limestone which they then live on top of. There are huge amounts of limestone under the ocean in islands and mountains. These limestone islands and mountains are called coral reefs. Some reefs are bigger than anything people have ever made. The Egyptians used it to build the Great Pyramids. We have used limestone to build many buildings, and crushed limestone is used to make cement.
A Variety of Life
Living coral reefs are amazing ‘cities beneath the sea’ that are full of life. The reefs develop well in the warm oceans near the Equator. Among the world’s most colourful places, coral reefs are full of brightly-coloured fish. Reef fish are an important food source for humans and many are caught for food around the world.
The Biggest of Them All
The Great Barrier Reef, in Australia, is the largest reef in the world. It is 2,000 kilometres long. Over 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and approximately 4,000 types of mollusc live in, on and around the reef. Each year, thousands of visitors come to see this remarkable world beneath the waves. However, there are rules - visitors can only visit 5% of the reef. In this way, they can still enjoy the reef while it remains protected for future generations.
Threats to Coral Reefs
In recent years, a number of dangers have threatened coral reefs and the life that depends on them. One of the biggest threats is an illegal way of fishing that explodes bombs in the water to kill as many fish as possible. It kills most living things and causes great damage to the reef’s structure.
Fishing with an extremely dangerous chemical called cyanide is another threat to reefs, particularly in the Philippines. Fishermen put this poisonous chemical into the reef water because it stuns the fish and they can’t move. They catch the fish easily and then sell them for big money to aquariums or restaurants. The chemical they use kills coral polyps, and causes large areas of the reef to die.
Water pollution also damages reefs. In addition, warmer water in the oceans has been causing many areas of the reefs to turn white. Biologists are worried that further warming may damage coral reefs even more.
Reasons for Hope
Threats to coral reefs are serious, but there is reason to hope that they will survive. Coral reef conservation can help these tiny coral polyps, which have survived natural threats for millions of years, to rebuild the damaged reefs that so many ocean creatures and plants depend on.
D - Read the Exam Close-up. Then read the Exam Task and underline the key words.
D - Read the Exam Close-up. Then read the Exam Task and underline the key words.
Exam Close-Up
Understanding text types
• Identifying the type of texts in an exam can help you understand the information in it.
• Read the text quickly to find out what kind of text it is, e.g. a review, a notice, a letter, etc. and the type of information it has in it.
• Then read each paragraph carefully, one at a time. What is each paragraph about? What information does the writer want you to know? Try to answer these questions before you read the next paragraph.
• Use the title and any headings in the text to help you.
F - Work in pairs. One of these statements about the Great Barrier Reef is not true. Which one do you think it is? Discuss your answers.
F - Work in pairs. One of these statements about the Great Barrier Reef is not true. Which one do you think it is? Discuss your answers.
1 - It is a World Heritage Site.
2 - It is the world's largest coral reef system.
3 - It is one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.
4 - It can be seen from outer space.
E - Now complete the Exam Task.
E - Now complete the Exam Task.
Exam Task
Exam Task
Read the text and questions below. For each question, choose the correct letter a, b, с or d.
Read the text and questions below. For each question, choose the correct letter a, b, с or d.
1 What does the writer want to do with this text?
a entertain the reader
b give information about reefs
с give advice on conservation
d advertise a place to go on holiday
2 What are coral reefs made of?
a molluscs
b mountains
с cement
d a kind of rock
3 Which statement about coral reefs is NOT true?
a They are an important source of fish.
b They are very colourful places,
с They are usually found in deep ocean waters,
d They can be larger than man-made things.
4 How is the Great Barrier Reef protected?
a Only a small part of the reef can be seen by visitors.
b Just 5% of visitors are allowed to see it.
с Visitors must be very strict,
d The reef is not open every year.
5 Which is the best summary of the text?
a Polyps are very important because they create the rock known as limestone, which is used to build things,
b The coral reefs are natural wonders that are in danger and we should do everything we can to save them,
с The fish from coral reefs are very beautiful and you can see them in aquariums around the world,
d There are many different ways to catch fish but some of them are not safe for the environment.
Reflection
Reflection
Share ONE new Exam Tips you have learned with a friend.
Share ONE new Exam Tips you have learned with a friend.
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