1. Where is the Great Barrier Reef? What problems does it face? Listen/Watch and read to find out.

(Rạn san hô Great Barrier ở đâu? Nó phải đối mặt với những vấn đề gì? Nghe/Xem và đọc để tìm hiểu.)

PROTECTING THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

There is a good reason why it is called 'Great'. The Great Barrier Reef, along the northeast coast of Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system. It is so large that we can even see it from space! With over 348 square kilometres in size, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the most different ecosystems on Earth. It is home to 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 shellfish as well as 30 species of marine animals such as whales, dolphins and sea turtles. The reef contains 400 types of coral and more than 2,500 separate coral reefs.

The Great Barrier Reef is a natural wonder and has been a World Heritage area since 1981 because of its global scientific and environmental importance. Besides its incredible ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef is an important part of the Earth's natural history and an area of amazing natural beauty. Sadly, though, since 1985, the Great Barrier Reef has lost more than 50% of its coral, mostly because of global warming. As the Earth becomes warmer, ocean water temperatures increase and cause coral bleaching. This is when coral turns white and dies. The world must reduce CO₂ emissions in order to stop the coral from dying. Pollution, tourism and overfishing are also threatening the coral reef.

The good news is that 99% of the reef is now a marine park that protects the coral by controlling tourism, fishing and leisure activities in the park. The park organisation works hard to improve the quality of water, cool the area of the reef and reduce natural threats to the coral.

2. Read the text and decide if each of the statements (1-5) is T (true) or F (false).

(Đọc văn bản và quyết định xem mỗi câu (1-5) là T (đúng) hay F (sai).)

1. Whales are the only marine animals in the Great Barrier Reef.   

2. There are many different corals in the Great Barrier Reef.       

3. There was twice as much coral in the reef in 1985 as there is now. 

4. The main cause of coral bleaching is pollution.                            

5. The Great Barrier Reef has become a protected marine park.   

3. What do the following numbers in the text in Exercise 1 refer to?

(Các số sau trong đoạn văn ở bài tập 1 nói lên điều gì?)

4. Read the statements and find one more reason in the text.

(Đọc các câu phát biểu và tìm thêm một lý do trong văn bản.)

The Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage area because it...

1. is home to different marine species.

2. is of global scientific and environmental importance.

3. is an incredible ecosystem.

4. is an important part of the Earth's natural history.

5. _________________________________________

5. Use the ideas in Exercise 4 to say why coral reefs are important. Tell the class.

(Sử dụng những ý tưởng trong Bài tập 4 để nói tại sao các rạn san hô lại quan trọng. Nói với lớp.)

Project

6. Think of a natural feature in your country that is under threat. Collect information under the headings name, its importance, the threats it faces and actions to protect it.

(Hãy nghĩ về một đặc điểm tự nhiên ở đất nước của bạn đang bị đe dọa. Thu thập thông tin dưới tên tiêu đề, tầm quan trọng, các mối đe dọa mà nó phải đối mặt và các hành động để bảo vệ nó.)