OLS 12.12 Coral Reefs Wrap-up

Read the excerpt from Who Eats What? Coral Reef Food Chains.

Coral reefs are one of the planet’s most diverse and beautiful biomes. They are found in warm, shallow ocean waters.

Coral reefs make up less than 0.2 percent of the ocean floor. But nearly a third of the ocean’s plants and animals live there. This is why they are called “rain forests of the sea.”

Which inference can be made based on the information in the excerpt?

• Coral reefs and rain forests are home to a wide variety of the earth’s species.

• Rain forests and coral reefs have similar habitats.

• Coral reefs and rain forests are only found in tropical areas.

What is a similarity in Who Eats What? Coral Reef Food Chains and National Geographic Kids: Coral Reefs?

• describes three zones of coral reefs

• compares coral reefs to rainforests

• contains information about how to save coral reefs

What is a difference in Who Eats What? Coral Reef Food Chains and National Geographic Kids: Coral Reefs?

• compares coral reefs to rain forests

• provides statistics about coral reefs

• contains information on how to save coral reefs

Read the excerpt from Coral Reefs by Jason Chin.

Squirrelfish use the reef for protection when predators like the Nassau grouper are on the prowl. In addition to evading predators, each species must also find food to survive.

What is the most likely meaning of predators?

• giants

• hunters

• creatures

Based on the information in Coral Reefs, one can conclude that if a species in a food chain dies off, all the species in the food chain are at risk.

Which detail from the text best supports this conclusion?

• “All of these animals interact in a complex web of relationships, and each has its own place in the system.”

• “Different parts of the reef have different kinds of animals.”

• “By working together, schooling fish have a better chance at survival.”

Read the excerpt from Coral Reefs by Jason Chin.

The common octopus has a few uncommon adaptations. It can change the color and the texture of its skin to blend in with any environment.

Select the correct definition of adaptations into the box.

• fighting skills that animals learn

• features that are shared by ocean animals

• special skills that help animals survive

Refer to National Geographic Kids: Coral Reefs for a complete version of this text.

Which statement represents the author’s key points in the “People and Reefs” and “Rescuing Reefs” sections of National Geographic Kids: Coral Reefs?

• “Pollution sometimes spills into the oceans.”

• “Many reefs are in danger. Scientists are worried about the threats to coral reefs.”

• “Millions of people eat the fish that live along reefs.”

Read the excerpt from “Choose a Sunscreen Right for Reefs.”

It’s summer, and the sun is hot. You want to spend the day at the beach. But you’re worried about getting a sunburn. You know how much a sunburn hurts. You also know that it’s dangerous to your health. After all, people with sun-damaged skin are more likely to get skin cancer, a serious disease. So you decide to be smart. You put on plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin. Then you hit the water. But could the sunscreen you wear to keep yourself safe actually harm the planet? If the product contains certain chemicals, the answer is yes. That’s why it is very important to choose your sunscreen wisely and only wear sunscreen that is “reef-safe.”

Based on the information in the excerpt, what is the author’s point?

• People should be aware that the sunscreen they use can damage the environment.

• People must be sure to apply sunscreen every time they go to the beach.

• Spending too much time in the sun without protection can lead to illness.

Refer to Coral Reefs for a complete version of this text.

Based on the information in “The Threat to Coral Reefs” section of Coral Reefs, what is coral bleaching?

• It is the relationship between coral and algae that helps the two species survive.

• Coral bleaching is a result of damage caused by storms and human activities such as fishing.

• Coral bleaching occurs when water becomes too warm, causing coral polyps to get rid of the algae they need to survive.

Read the excerpt from Coral Reefs by Jason Chin.

Choose the context in the excerpt that best explains the meaning of conserve.

Conserve water: Water from our homes goes down the drain and often washes out into the ocean bringing pollutants with it. Using less water means fewer pollutants will end up in the ocean.

• using less

• down the drain

• in the ocean