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5581650-179705Name ______________________________ Core _________ Date ________________________8255422910 What's Hiding in the Coral Reefs?SYDNEY, Australia. In the waters off the coast of northeastern Australia, there is a vast network of coral reefs called the Great Barrier Reef. The brightly colored reefs are not only beautiful to look at. They also provide shelter for marine species that are found nowhere else. Recently, marine scientists discovered hundreds of previously unknown animal species on reefs in Australian waters. The creatures were found during expeditions run by the Australian chapter of CReefs, a global census of coral reefs. CReefs is one of several projects of the Census of Marine Life, an international effort to catalog all life in the oceans. The census researchers conducted three expeditions. Two of the expeditions took place in the waters off the Great Barrier Reef's Lizard and Heron Islands. The other one took place in the Ningaloo Reef, on Australia's northwest coast. The researchers collected thousands of samples during the three-week trips, which took place between April and September. The studies uncovered creatures that had never been written about in scientific reports. These included a number of crustaceans, such as tiny shrimp-like animals with claws longer than their bodies. Scientists also found about 130 soft corals, also known as octocorals. Like other corals, these are made up of polyps that cover their surfaces. Octocorals are named for the eight tentacles that fringe each polyp. "People have been working at these places for a long time and still there are … hundreds and hundreds of new species that no one has ever collected or described," said Julian Caley. Caley is a scientist from the Australian Institute of Marine Science. He is helping to lead the research. Scientists at several Australian museums are now in the process of naming all of the creatures they have found. This is more difficult than it may seem. First, scientists must study each type of creature and place it in one of many categories of living things that exist. They already know, for example, that the shrimp-like creatures they found are crustaceans. Then scientists will use what they have learned about the newly discovered creatures to name them. This work is expected to take years. Researchers plan to explore the three sites where they found the new creatures annually for the next six years. They hope to learn more about soft corals, which are poorly understood. Scientists are also looking to catalog the number of animal species that live on Australia's coral reefs. In addition, they want to find out how many species are unique to the reefs and how they respond to human disturbance. Researchers also placed 36 plastic house-like structures on the ocean floor in various locations around the three sites. Animals are likely to be attracted to the structures and make them their homes. Researchers will go back and study the life inside each house over the next few years. The project marks the first time any group has made a concentrated effort to understand the biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef. It's important work. Coral reefs protect as many as one-quarter of the planet's marine species, but reefs are under threat. They are harmed by certain fishing practices, as well as over-fishing and pollution. The scientists' findings could show them how better to protect the reefs. Helping the reefs would not only be beneficial to marine life; it could also have direct benefits for humans because some marine life is used in medicines. "Some people say, 'Going out and collecting samples—of what value is that?'" said Ron Johnstone, a marine science professor who has looked at the research. In response, Johnstone compared the planet to a machine. The more familiar scientists are with the parts of the machine, he said, the better they can help fix its problems. "It's a bit like saying … [without research], we don't know what bits of the machine fit together to make it work."Dictionarybeneficial (adjective) helpfulbiodiversity (noun) the range of living things in an environmentcensus (noun) official count of a populationcrustacean (noun) a type of aquatic animal with a segmented body and paired, jointed limbs, including lobsters, crabs, and shrimp polyp (noun) a type of animal form that has a fixed base, a column-shaped body, and a free end with a mouth and tentacles Multiple Choice: Circle the letter of the choice the best completes the statement. (2 points each)1. What is this article mainly about? Coral reefs protect many of the planet's marine species, but reefs can be harmed by pollution.Researchers have placed house-like structures on the ocean floor at research sites.Scientists hope to learn more about soft corals, which are a major part of the Great Barrier Reef.Scientists have discovered some previously unknown animal species on reefs in Australian waters. 2. According to the article, why were marine scientists exploring the coral reefs in Australia? Their study was necessary in order to determine the beauty of the coral reefs.Their study was part of an international effort to catalog all life in the oceans.Their study was part of an effort to identify three sites that would be best for tourists who want to look at coral. Their study was needed to measure the effect of fishing laws on the Great Barrier Reef. 3. Which is the closest synonym for the word beneficial?FavorableUniqueSullenInterior 4. Suppose that Jamal wants to find out more about the Great Barrier Reef. He would find most of his information __________. Between Australia and India on a map of the worldIn the glossary of a book about scuba diving in tropical watersIn a reference book about the seas around AustraliaUnder the term "pollution" on a Web site about the world's oceans 5. The article states: The census researchers conducted three expeditions. Two of the expeditions took place in the waters off the Great Barrier Reef's Lizard and Heron Islands. The other one took place in the Ningaloo Reef, on Australia's northwest coast. Which would be the closest synonym for the word conduct? DonateIsolateDirectAmbush 6. The author probably wrote this article in order to __________. Inform readers about what coral reefs around the world look likeInform readers about the discovery of unknown species on Australian reefsExplain the differences between various species of crustaceansExplain the reasons why the coral reefs are in danger from pollution 7. Which of these is most important to include in a summary of this article? The scientific studies could have direct benefits for the treating of human illnesses.Scientists are now in the process of naming the newly found sea creatures.The studies uncovered creatures that had never been written about in scientific reports.Scientists will explore the places where they found new creatures annually for the next six years. 8. The news article says all of the following except __________. Two of the expeditions took place in the waters off the Great Barrier Reef's Lizard and Heron Islands.Researchers collected thousands of samples during the three-week trips, which took place between April and September.Scientists know that the shrimp-like creatures they found are crustaceans that had been previously discovered during an earlier marine expedition.Scientists are now in the process of naming all of the creatures found during the three expeditions to Australia's coral reefOpinion Question: Now that you have read the article, indicate in the space below what you think the best reason is to study Australia's coral reefs? (5 points)Thought Question: What have scientists learned about Australia's coral reefs? Why is it important to study the reefs? Refer to the article for ideas. You can use your own ideas, too. (5 points)Math- The Great Barrier Reef has over 1,000 miles of coral reefs. One mile is the same as 1.61 kilometers. How many kilometers are equivalent to 1,000 miles? (2 points) ................
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