The Aral Sea has significantly decreased in size since 1960. Between 1960 and 1985, the sea's area decreased by approximately 60% and its volume declined by about 50%. From 1985 to 1998, the sea continued to shrink substantially. By 2010, the Aral Sea's area, volume, and average depth had each declined by over 60% from 1960 levels, leaving the sea only 10% of its original size.

1. Writing

2. Describing Changes in the Aral Sea
**In 1960, the Aral Sea had
* In 1960, the Aral Sea had
an estimated area of ---------.
Between then and 1985, the
area decreased by
approximately -----------% to
-----------. From then to
1998, it fell again to -------.
The estimated figure for
2010 is ----------, a --------%
drop from the 1960 figure.
an estimated volume of
--------. Between then and
1985, the volume declined
by about ---------% to -------. From then to 1998, it
dropped again to -------------.
The estimated figure for
2010 is -----------, a --------%
fall from the 1960 figure.

3. *** In 1960, the Aral Sea had an estimated average depth
of --------------. Between then and 1985, the average
depth decreased by around
--------% to ----------. From then to 1998, it fell again to ---------. The estimated figure for 2010 is ---------, a ---------% drop from the 1960 figure.

4. Action without knowledge is vanity,
and knowledge without action is insanity