Reading 9 (контроль читання 9 клас)

Reading

Name_____________________________________

Read the text and complete the task

The Great Barrier Reef consists of more than 3,400 individual reefs and 700 islands stretching a distance of 2,300 km from Torres Strait to Lady Elliot Island. With the continental shelf not far below the ocean’s surface, and washed by the warm waters of the South Pacific Ocean, the perfect environment was created for the world’s largest system of coral reefs. The conditions and water temperature are ideal for colonies of tiny coral polyps. They create this unique marine environment where the most colourful of the sea’s life forms live so close to the surface that most can be easily observed.

   Beneath the turquoise tropical waters there is a world of activity as millions of tiny animals live out their lives building the reef. Corals are among the most beautiful of marine organisms. When they colonise a site, they develop the colours and complex structures for which the reef is renowned. Corals are simple, primitive organisms that have lived in tropical seas for about 500 million years.

   While the size, shape and colour of coral formations vary immensely, they are all the work of one type of creature. Just as beautiful as the coral of the reef are the plants and animals that live there. About 1,500 species of fish are known to live in the reef region, and a half of them may be seen on a single reef.

     The islands of the reef are of two main types: ‘low islands’ and ‘continental islands’. Low islands are the coral cays formed by the accumulation of sand and coral parts. Examples are Green Island and Heron Island. Continental islands are the remnants of the mainland that have been cut off by the changes in the sea level, and some lie quite close to the coast and rise from the water. Most have coral reefs around and are thickly vegetated. The shorelines of some continental islands have white sandy beaches and others are bordered by mangroves. The islands of the Whitsunday Group are among these continental islands.

    The waters of the Great Barrier Reef were declared the Marine Park in 1975, helping to maintain and conserve a unique and particularly beautiful natural wonder. The Marine Park Authority limits human activity on the reef and allocates areas for a specific range of activities. This careful management of one of the wonders of the world will ensure it will be here for future generations to enjoy.

1.Match the words and phrases (1–8) with their definitions (a–h).

2.Choose the correct words from the text to complete the sentences.

1. The conditions and water temperature are ideal for colonies of ___________

coral polyps.

2. Corals are among the most beautiful of _________ organisms.

3. They develop the colours and complex structures for which the reef is __________ .

4. While the size, shape and colour of coral formations_________     ________, they

are all the work of one type of ___________ .

5. Low islands are the coral ______ formed by _________ of sand and coral parts.

6. Continental islands are _________of the mainland that have been cut off

by the changes in the sea level.

7. The Marine Park Authority limits human activity on the reef and

__________ areas for a specific range of activities.