Diving in to Save our Underwater Cities

Select the words that correctly complete the sentence.

In the first half of this article, the author’s main purpose is to explain

• why people like coral reefs

• where coral reefs are located

• how coral reefs are harmed

Select the words that correctly complete the sentence.

In the second half, she describes ____________________ the coral reefs.

• ways to save

• places to see

• people who visit

Select two ways the first paragraph contributes to the article as a whole.

• It introduces and describes the Great Barrier Reef.

• It gets the reader’s attention by describing what you expect to see underwater and what you might actually see.

• It gives a lighthearted view of underwater problems that are very serious.

• It explains how coral reefs help sea animals.

• It reveals what is meant in the title by “underwater cities.”

Select the words that correctly complete the sentence.

In paragraph 1, the word undulating means ____________, which can be inferred from the phrase ______________.

• flapping frantically ......"teeming with colors and shapes"

• moving with a wavy motion ......"like party streamers"

• swimming in a line ......"magical underwater city"

• going from place to place quickly ...... "darting from coral to coral"

Complete the summary below by selecting the correct words.

Because a coral reef is a complex ecosystem, damage to a reef threatens more than just the coral itself. For example, sea animals like _____________________ that shelter in the reef would be exposed to danger. Damage to coral reefs would also threaten plants like _____________ and the animals that feed on them.

• whales and sea stars ......trees

• sea lions and dolphins ...... flowers

• sponges and lobsters ...... seagrass

Select two ways that people who visit coral reefs often cause harm to the reefs.

• by changing the natural water flow

• by raising water temperatures

• by catching too many fish

• by making loud noises

• by touching the coral

What is a tropical cyclone as referenced in paragraph 3?

• a severe storm with strong winds

• a rapid change in temperature

• a geographic area with harsh weather

• an underwater ecosystem of plants and animals

How does the fourth paragraph contribute to the development of ideas in the passage?

• It blames human industries for the problems that affect coral reefs.

• It explains how people can protect and preserve coral reefs.

• It describes threats that will affect coral reefs in the future.

• It claims that reefs will die no matter what people do to save them.

Select the two answer choices from paragraph 6 that best support the author’s claim that people are working to protect coral reefs.

• “Think about visiting a zoo. Can you take a lion home with you? ”

• “Coral reef parks help visitors and locals learn how to enjoy the reefs without harming them by following simple conservation rules. ”

• “Visitors learn that they should never touch or take anything from the reef and that boats should stay far away from marine life.”

• “Watching whales, dolphins, and turtles can be fun.

• “But it needs to be done in a way that does not disturb the animals. ”

Which claim made by the author lacks the evidence in the passage to support it?

• The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most loved reefs in the world.

• Crown-of-thorns sea stars are a threat to coral reefs.

• Strong winds can cause great damage to reef environments.

• It is possible for people to enjoy coral reefs without harming them.