The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching over 2,600 kilometers off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It supports a wide diversity of marine life and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. The reef is made up of billions of tiny coral polyps and is the world's largest structure built by living organisms. It faces threats from climate change, runoff, bleaching events and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park helps manage activities like fishing and tourism to protect the ecosystem while also generating $1 billion annually for the local economy.

1. THE GREAT BARRIER REEFTHE GREAT BARRIER REEF
THE GREAT BARRIER REEFTHE GREAT BARRIER REEF
(homereading(homereading
A. Nesvit, form IX)A. Nesvit, form IX)
Prepared by
Kravchuk I.M.
School 5
Rivne

2. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reefThe Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef
systemcomposed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900systemcomposed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900
islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) overislands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) over
an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometresan area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres
(133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off(133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off
the coast of Queensland, Australia.the coast of Queensland, Australia.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reefThe Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef
systemcomposed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900systemcomposed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900
islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi)islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi)
over an area of approximately 344,400 squareover an area of approximately 344,400 square
kilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in thekilometres (133,000 sq mi). The reef is located in the
Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

3. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and isThe Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is
the world's biggest single structure made by livingthe world's biggest single structure made by living
organismsorganisms
The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer spaceThe Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space
the world's biggest single structure made by living organithe world's biggest single structure made by living organi

4. This reef structure is composed of and built by billions
of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps.

5. It supports a wide diversity of life and was selected
as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

6. CNN labeled it one of the seven natural wonders of the
world. The Queensland National Trust named it a state
icon of Queensland.

7. A large part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier
Reef Marine Park, which helps to limit the impact of
human use, such as fishing and tourism.

8. Other environmental pressures on the reef and its
ecosystem include runoff, climate change accompanied
by mass coral bleaching, and cyclic population
outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish. According to
a study published on 1 October 2012 by the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the
reef has lost more than half its coral cover since 1985.

9. The reef is a very popular
destination for tourists,
especially in the Whitsunday
Islands and Cairns regions.
Tourism is an important
economic activity for the region,
generating $1 billion per year.

11. - Have you ever seen corals?
- What do you know about them?

12. The Great Barrier Reef consists of more thanThe Great Barrier Reef consists of more than
3,400 individual reefs and 700 islands stretching a3,400 individual reefs and 700 islands stretching a
distance of 2,300 km from Torres Strait to Ladydistance of 2,300 km from Torres Strait to Lady
Elliot Island. With the continental shelf not far belowElliot Island. With the continental shelf not far below
the ocean’s surface, and washed by the warmthe ocean’s surface, and washed by the warm
waters of the South Pacific Ocean, the perfectwaters of the South Pacific Ocean, the perfect
environment was created for the world’s largestenvironment was created for the world’s largest
system of coral reefs. The conditions and watersystem of coral reefs. The conditions and water
temperature are ideal for colonies of Liny coraltemperature are ideal for colonies of Liny coral
polyps. They create this unique marine environmentpolyps. They create this unique marine environment
where the most colourful of the sea’s life forms livewhere the most colourful of the sea’s life forms live
so close to the surface that most can be easilyso close to the surface that most can be easily
observed.observed.
Beneath the turquoise tropical waters there isBeneath the turquoise tropical waters there is
a world of activity as millions of tiny animals live outa world of activity as millions of tiny animals live out
their lives building the reef. Corals are among thetheir lives building the reef. Corals are among the
most beautiful of marine organisms.most beautiful of marine organisms.

13. When they colonise a site, they develop the coloursWhen they colonise a site, they develop the colours
and complex structures for which the reef isand complex structures for which the reef is
renowncd. Corals are simple, primitive organismsrenowncd. Corals are simple, primitive organisms
that have lived in tropicid seas for about 500 millionthat have lived in tropicid seas for about 500 million
years.years.
While the size, shape and colour of coralWhile the size, shape and colour of coral
formations ary immensely, they are all the work offormations ary immensely, they are all the work of
one type of reature. Just as beautiful as the coral ofone type of reature. Just as beautiful as the coral of
the reef are the plants and animals that live there.the reef are the plants and animals that live there.
About 1,500 species of fish are known to live in theAbout 1,500 species of fish are known to live in the
reef region, and a half of them may be seen on areef region, and a half of them may be seen on a
single reef.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.

14. Examples are Green Island and Heron Island.
Continental islands are the inn: ; 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
uangroves. 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 particxdarly 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 it will be hen1
for future generations to enjoy.
(Taken from Aroiiml Anslrnll)

16. Choose the correct words from the text to complete
the sentences.
1.The conditions and water temperature are ideal for
colonies o f ..... coral polyps.
2. Corals are among the most beautiful o f
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
o f .......
5. Low islands are the coral...... formed b y 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

18. Find the words in the story to talk about:
• the world’s largest system of coral reefs
• types of coral islands;
• the Marine Park.

20. Work in pairs. Discuss the questions.
1.How many reefs and inlands does the Great Barrier R
consist of?
2. What conditions are ideal for colonies of tiny coral
polyps?
3. What are the main types of the Islands of the reef?
4. What is the Marine Park?

22. Read and say if the statements are true or false.
he Great Barrier Reef consists of more than 3,400
ividual reefs and 700 islands stretching a distance of
00 km.
Corals are among the most colourful of marine
anisms.
Corals are simple, primitive organisms that have lived in
pical seas for about 2 million years.
Just as beautiful as the coral of the reef are the plants
d animals that live there.
About 100 species of fish are known to live in the reef
ion, and a half of them may be seen on a single reef.
The islands of the reef are of two main types: ‘low
ands’ and ‘continental islands’ .
Some continental islands lie far from the coast and rise
m the water.
The Marine Park Authority limits human activity on the
f and allocates areas for a specific range of activities.

24. Complete the sentences given below.
1.The Great Barrier Reef consists o f .......
2. With the continental shelf not far below the ocean’s
surface.......
3. Corals a re .......
4. About 1,500 species of fish.......
5. The islands of the reef are of two main types.......
6........ are bordered by mangroves.
7........ were declared the Marine Park in 1975.

26. You are a journalist and your classmate is
representative of the Marine Park Authorities. Make a
interview using the information from the text. Role-pla