The Great Barrier Reef, located off of the northeastern coast of Australia, is the world’s largest coral reef. It is a living system of over 900 islands and 3,000 reefs. A reef is an underwater ridge of rock or coral close to the surface of the water.

Most of the Great Barrier Reef is protected as part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Park. It is the second largest protected sea area in the world. Thousands of ocean species live in the reef including over thirty kinds of dolphins and whales, six kinds of sea turtles, and over 500 kinds of coral. Unfortunately, the future of the reef is uncertain. Global warming and water pollution are the major threats to its continued existence.

Which of the following is true about the Great Barrier Reef?
1. It contains 300 reefs
2. It is a living system
3. It contains 90 islands
4. It is the largest protected sea area in the world
Circle all of the following that are threats to the Great Barrier Reef.
1. Sharks
2. Pollution
3. Global Warming
4. Coral
All reefs…
1. have dolphins and whales.
2. are threatened by human activity.
3. are close to the surface of the water.
4. are located in Australia.
What question is NOT answered in the passage?
1. How many reefs make up the Great Barrier Reef?
2. What kind of sea animals live in the Great Barrier Reef?
3. What is the world’s largest coral reef?
4. What is the largest protected sea area in the world?