Climate
Climate is the average weather in a certain region over a period of time. Weather is different from climate because it
can change in just a few hours. When the weather in a certain area suddenly changes, it does not mean that the climate
changes as well. In other words, climate is a long term and weather is a short term description. Climates change over
time, but this process takes a very long time. Climates are divided into five types: tropical, mild, cold, polar, and dry.
There are also subcategories within the different types of climates, such as desert, savanna, and tundra.
A climate
is very
important
for the plants
and animals that
live in it. For instance,
polar bears need a cold or
polar climate. They will not
survive if they live in a hot, dry
climate. When a climate changes,
animals and plants might not be able
Tropical
Dry
to handle the new conditions.
Exercise 1: Are the statements true or false?
1) Weather changes more suddenly than
climate.
( )
2) Canada has a tropical climate.
( )
( )
3) Weather always changes but climate
never changes.
4) Deserts have a dry climate.
5) Some animal species will die if their
climate changes.
6) The United States has several climates.
7) There are no polar climates near the
equator.
8) Climates have different subtypes.
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
Mild
Cold
Polar
Mountain Climate
Tropical climates can be found near the equator and make up
around 6% of the Earth’s surface. Temperatures are warm
throughout the year and range between 70 and 85°F (21 – 30°C).
There is a lot of rainfall in tropical regions, averaging around 400
inches per year. It is a very good place for trees and plants to
grow. Because of the large variety of trees and plants, there are
lots of animal species in these tropical rainforests.
Polar climates are very cold with lots of snow, ice, and strong winds.
It is so cold that only very few people live in these regions. The
average temperature is between 10 and 20°F (-12 to 6°C). Most of the
land is flat and covered with ice and snow. Only in the warmer areas
of a polar climate is a little vegetation. Such areas are called tundra.
The ground of the tundra is always frozen. The North Pole is called
the Arctic Region and the South Pole is the Antarctic Region.
Mild climates have equally long summers and winters. Temperatures
are not extreme. The summers are mild with an average temperature
of 70°F (21°C) and the winters not much lower than 32°F (0°C). There
are two types of temperate climates: maritime and continental. A
maritime climate is strongly influenced by the oceans, which cause
steady temperatures throughout the year. Continental climates
experience more temperature changes and are located inland.
About 30% of the earth’s surface consists of dry climate. A dry
climate is also called an arid climate, with the word arid meaning dry.
Most dry climates are found in deserts. Unlike mild climates, dry
climates do not have regular seasons. The Sahara Desert in Africa,
for example, is always hot and dry. The temperatures range between
130°F during the day and 30°F at night (55°C and -1°C). The farther
from the equator it is, the colder a dry climate will be. On average,
there is less than 10 inches of rainfall per year. Only a few plants are
able to survive in a dry climate, such as grass and cactus.
Cold, or continental, climates can be found in Canada,
Europe, and northern Asia. There are long winters and
short summers. The summers are usually rainy and humid.
Temperatures of a cold climate vary between -65 to 30°F
in winter and between 20 to 70°F in summer. Most
vegetation in these regions consist of coniferous trees,
such as Christmas trees. This kind of vegetation is called
taiga.
Exercise 2: Choose the best answers for the questions below.
1) Which climate can be found near the equator?
a. cold
b. tropical
c. mild
d. polar
7) Which climate does Russia have?
a. mild
b. tropical
c. dry
d. cold
2) Which climate is also called an arid climate?
a. cold
b. dry
c. mild
d. polar
8) Which climate is least suitable for people to live?
a. mild
b. tropical
c. cold
d. polar
3) In which climate can you see many Christmas trees?
a. cold
b. tropical
c. mild
d. polar
9) What is a maritime climate?
a. a very humid climate with lots of rainfall
b. a dry climate with only limited rainfall
c. a climate that is influenced by the ocean
d. none of the above
4) Which climate has most rainfall?
a. cold
b. tropical
c. mild
d. dry
5) Which climate has regular seasons?
a. cold
b. tropical
c. mild
d. polar
6) Which climate has a large variety of plants and
animals?
a. cold
b. tropical
c. dry
d. polar
Exercise 3: Complete the crossword puzzle.
Across
1) Which climate is very hot and has a lot of rainfall?
3) A ... climate has short summers and long winters.
5) A cold area with mainly coniferous trees.
6) Another word for rain forest.
7) A climate that is strongly influenced by the oceans.
9) A climate that does not have regular seasons.
10) A plant that grows in a dry climate.
Down
2) Which climate has strong winds and is very cold?
3) A ... climate is cold and humid.
4) Arctica is also called the ... .
8) A cold area with little vegetation that is always
frozen.
10) Which statement is true?
a. A continental climate has long and dry summers
b. A dry climate only consists of deserts
c. Polar climates only have a small variety of plants
d. none of the above
Weather
The weather is the condition of the atmosphere at any given time. Weather conditions include temperature, rainfall, air
pressure, cloud cover and much more. The atmosphere is a thin layer that covers the earth. It consists of gases, which
make up the air that we breathe. The atmosphere also helps our planet from becoming too hot or too cold.
The sun is very important for the weather. Since the Earth is round, some areas get more sunshine than the others. The
sun shines more directly to regions near the equator. Hence, it is very warm there. However, the Polar Regions get very
little sunlight during the winter. So, they experience very cold temperatures. The differences in temperature cause the
air to continuously move. The oceans absorb the heat from the sun and the streams distribute the heat across the planet.
The water cycle is another aspect of weather. This cycle begins when the sun heats up the water in the oceans, rivers,
and lakes. As the water heats up, it turns into vapor or steam and goes up into the air. This process is called evaporation.
As the humid air rises, it gets colder, eventually changing back into water to form a cloud. This process is known as
condensation, it is the opposite of evaporation. Precipitation starts when there is so much water in the cloud that it
cannot hold it anymore. As the rain falls to the ground, it is eventually collected back into the rivers and oceans and the
water cycle will start again.
Exercise 4: Are the statements true or false?
(
(
(
(
1) It is always sunny near the equator.
2) When water evaporates, it turns into rain.
3) The water cycle is a continuous process.
4) Wind is a result of different temperatures
in the atmosphere.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
5) Without the atmosphere, it would be
either very cold or very hot.
( )
6) The oceans store heat from the sun.
( )
( )
7) The atmosphere consists of gases.
2
Exercise 5: Locate the words with the numbers.
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
)
)
)
)
4
Lake
(
)
Transpiration
Ocean
8
7
River
Evaporation
3
6
Precipitation
Snowmelt
Underground water
5
1
Global Warming
Climate change means that the weather changes over a longer period of time. The average temperature of the Earth’s
atmosphere is continually increasing. This is called global warming. A warmer climate can lead to many changes. The sealevel will eventually rise, and the water cycle will go faster. A faster water cycle causes more rain, droughts, wildfires,
and heatwaves. All of these changes have a strong impact on the environment, wildlife and people. Scientists are worried
that global warming is caused by human activities.
Global warming is actually caused by an increasing amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Greenhouse gases
ensure that our planet will neither become too hot, nor too cold. Greenhouse gases consist of water vapor, carbon dioxide,
methane, and nitrous oxide. Too much greenhouse gases will result in rising temperatures. Over the last 100 years, the
amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) has continuously increased. Scientists believe that this increase is caused by human
activities, such as burning oil and coal, or cutting down forests. Forests remove CO2 from the air and store it. When
trees are cut, the carbon is released into the air. The relation between the increase in greenhouse gases and global
warming is called the “Greenhouse Effect”.
As the climate warms, the oceans also become warmer. Because of this, the water expands and takes up more space in
the ocean, which causes the water levels to rise. Secondly, ice sheets and glaciers also melt, adding more water to the
oceans. Over the last 100 years, the sea level has risen by almost 7 inches. Experts believe that the sea level will have
risen between 7 and 23 inches by the year 2099.
Exercise 6: Read the passage and answer the questions.
Exercise 7: The words below are chopped in half. Find
the pieces that fit together.
1) Why is the atmosphere getting warmer?
____________________________________________________
CLI
ES
HANE
____________________________________________________
SEA
MATE
GREEN
GAS
XIDE
MET
HOUSE
DIO
LEVEL
2) What happens when the climate gets warmer?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
3) What is the Greenhouse Effect?
____________________________________________________
1) _________________ 4) _________________
4) How does global warming cause a rise in the sea-level?
2) _________________ 5) _________________
____________________________________________________
3) _________________ 6) _________________
____________________________________________________
Oceans
Around 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with oceans. They consist of around 97% of all the water on the planet. The
oceans affect the weather and temperature by absorbing heat from the sun. The water of the oceans is always moving.
Hence, it is responsible for distributing heat around the Earth. In winter the land is heated, and in summer the land is cooled.
The Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the biggest of all oceans. It covers more than 30% of the Earth’s
surface. It gets its name from the Latin word “pacificus” which means peaceful. The
largest coral reef in the world is located near the coast of eastern Australia. It is called
the Great Barrier Reef. The deepest point of the ocean is called the Challenger Deep and
is located near Guam in the Philippines Sea. It is more than 35,000 feet deep!
The Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean in the world. It covers around 20% of
the surface of the Earth. This ocean is located between the Americas, Europe and
Africa. It is actually growing in size because the continents are slowly drifting away
from each other. Sharks such as the Thresher Shark can be found in the Atlantic
Ocean. The world’s largest mountain range is located in the Atlantic Ocean. It is called
the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and it spreads from Iceland all the way to Antarctica.
The Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is located between Africa and Asia. It provides the largest breeding
grounds for humpback whales in the world. The Indian Ocean is the warmest of all oceans.
Because of its warmth there is little plankton and as a result, only a limited number of
animals live here. The direction of the current of the ocean changes twice a year. During
winter, the flow is directed to the west and during the summer, it goes to the east. The
northern part of the Ocean is an important trading route for oil between the Middle East
and the rest of Asia. Massive tankers with oil cross the waters every day.
The Arctic Ocean
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean and is located around the North Pole. Most of its
waters are permanently covered with a thick layer of ice. It acts as a home for polar bears.
The ice covering the Arctic Ocean is shrinking by around 8% every 10 years because of
global warming.
The Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean is located around the South Pole. Unlike the other
oceans, the Southern Ocean is not surrounded by continents, but by
currents of other oceans. For that reason, the Southern Ocean is not
considered to be a real ocean by some people.
Exercise 8: Label the continents and oceans on the map.
( ) Arctic Ocean
( ) Africa
( ) Atlantic Ocean
( ) Antarctica
( ) Asia
( ) Indian Ocean
( ) Australia
( ) Pacific Ocean
( ) Europe
( ) North America
5
2
D
( ) Southern Ocean
( ) South America
1
A
3
B4
6
E
7
C
Exercise 9: Choose the best answers for the
questions below.
1) How much of the Earth is covered with oceans?
a. 20%
b. 30%
c. 70%
d. 97%
Exercise 10: Unscramble the words, hints are given below.
1) ngelhcaelr
__________
The ….. Deep is the deepest point of the Pacific Ocean.
_____
2) What is the smallest ocean?
a. Atlantic Ocean
b. Indian Ocean
c. Arctic Ocean
d. Caribbean Sea
2) igrde
3) Which ocean is located between Australia and
Africa?
a. Atlantic Ocean
b. Indian Ocean
c. Pacific Ocean
d. Southern Ocean
3) tnpohrleo
4) Oceans store heat from the coastal regions.
a. true
b. false
The Southern Ocean is located around ….. .
5) Where do polar bears live?
a. Atlantic Ocean
b. Arctic Ocean
c. Pacific Ocean
d. Southern Ocean
The ….. of the Indian Ocean changes twice a year.
6) What is the warmest ocean?
a. Atlantic Ocean
b. Indian Ocean
c. Pacific Ocean
d. Southern Ocean
The Mid-Atlantic ….. is a mountain range in the Atlantic
Ocean.
_____ ____
The Arctic Ocean is located around the ….. .
4) caatairntc
5) ruecnrt
6) aeylr
__________
_______
_____
The Arctic Ocean is covered with a thick ….. of ice.
7) ecnntinost
__________
The Southern Ocean is not surrounded by ….. .
Oceans & Climate
The sun has the greatest influence on the weather. However, the oceans also play a very important role in this. If there
is heavy snow, a hot day, a rainy day or even a hurricane, the oceans play a major role in all such occurrences. Their
impact is so massive because they absorb, store, and transport the heat from the sun. Oceans affect the temperatures
around the world since they circulate around the planet. Moreover, the water of the oceans is the main source of
precipitation.
The top 10 feet of the ocean waters store as much heat as the whole atmosphere. Due to the tremendous capacity to
store heat from the sun, the oceans’ temperatures change very slowly. There must be many cold days to make the
temperature of the ocean just a little bit colder and many warm days to make it slightly warmer. Since the oceans are
always moving, they have an immense impact on the weather, especially in the coastal regions. They have a moderate
effect on the climate. Without the oceans, the weather would either be very cold, or very hot.
In some places, such as Great Britain, the winters are very mild. In other places, at the same latitude, such as Siberia,
the winters are extremely cold. This is caused by the ocean currents and is called the Gulf Stream. There are ocean
currents all over the world. All these streams collectively are called the Ocean Conveyor Belt, and they carry water
across all the oceans. The stream in the North Atlantic Ocean carries warm water from the equator all the way up to
the Arctic region. As the water travels to the Arctic region, it heats the countries in that particular area, like Great
Britain. As it nears the Arctic, the water cools, sinks to the bottom and is carried back to the equator. However, in
Siberia, there is no stream of hot water from the equator and because of this, it is much colder than the north of Europe.
Exercise 11: Locate the different stages of the ocean
streams on the map.
Exercise 12: Read the passage and answer the questions.
1) How do the oceans affect the weather on our planet?
1
3
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
2) Why is the impact of the oceans on the climate higher
near the coastal areas?
2
__________________________________________________
4
(
(
(
(
)
)
)
)
Water is going to the surface of the Indian Ocean.
Water cools down and sinks in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Cold water flows along Antarctica.
Deep water returns to the surface of the Pacific Ocean.
__________________________________________________
3) What is the Ocean Conveyor Belt and how does it
work?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Natural Disasters
Natural disasters are destructive events that are caused either by nature or by natural
processes of our planet. Events are only considered a natural disaster if they cause
either economic loss, or if people get hurt. When such an event happens in an
unpopulated area, it is not called a natural disaster. For example, if a tsunami hits a
desert island, it would not count as a natural disaster.
Scientists are working hard to predict major natural disasters. With the technology that
is available today, it has become easier to predict certain natural events such as
hurricanes and blizzards. Other natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions and
tsunamis are almost impossible to predict.
The number of natural disasters affecting people’s lives have increased over the years. In the last few decades, the
number of heat waves, mega storms, and earthquakes has substantially increased. People living in vulnerable areas try to
prepare for the worst by building shelters for hurricanes and tornadoes.
Unfortunately, natural disasters are a part of life and there is no way to prevent them from happening. Nonetheless,
scientists are working hard to develop new methods to predict destructive events and people are learning to protect
themselves and rebuild in safer areas.
Exercise 13: Unscramble the words. Hints are given
below.
Exercise 14: The words below are chopped in half.
Find the pieces that fit together.
1) icdrtep
1) __________________ 4) __________________
_______
It is impossible to … a natural disaster.
2) rauetn
______
Natural disasters are caused by … .
3) idrssaet
________
A sudden and destructive event.
4) zdrlzaib
________
A severe snowstorm.
5) eehsrslt
________
People build …to protect themselves against natural
disasters.
6) nradoot
_______
A violent rotating column of air.
2) __________________ 5) __________________
3) __________________ 6) __________________
/
A tornado is a violent storm with a spinning tube of air that touches
Tornadoes
the ground and creates a massive cloud as it progresses. The wind
speeds of tornadoes can reach up to 300 mph, and can cause
tremendous destruction. Tornadoes can damage large buildings, uproot
trees and even hurl vehicles hundreds of yards! These violent storms
are usually a result of thunderstorms. Tornadoes in the United States
need cool and dry air from Canada and warm and moist air from Mexico.
When these two air masses meet, they create instability in the
atmosphere. An increase in wind speed and a change in wind direction
causes a spinning effect that eventually results in a tornado. Most tornadoes occur in the USA, amounting to up to 1,200
every year.
Earthquakes
An earthquake is the shaking of the earth’s surface. Most of the time this
happens when two blocks of the earth’s surface suddenly move or break apart.
The point where the plates move is called the hypocenter. It is usually many miles
below the surface of the earth. The epicenter is the place on the surface where
the earthquake can be felt. Some earthquakes are hardly noticeable but others
are powerful enough to destroy entire cities. There are around 500,000
earthquakes every year, but only 100,000 are strong enough to be felt, and around
100 of those are powerful enough to cause damage.
A landslide occurs when masses of rock, earth or debris slide down a slope.
These dangerous slides can be caused by several factors. Most of the time,
heavy rainfall causes slides because it adds additional weight to the sides of
a slope. They can also be caused by erosion, when the base of a slope is
removed. When a landslide occurs, it moves at tremendous speeds and is
capable of destroying everything in its way. Most slides occur suddenly and
can travel several miles from their source. A flow is similar to a landslide
but is usually slower and involves massive amounts of water.
Floods
Landslides
Floods happen due to several factors such as when rivers overflow, when ocean
waves come onshore, when ice melts or during heavy rainfall. They are the most
common natural disasters. Some floods may only have a few inches of water, but
others can even cover rooftops. Flash floods are a kind of flooding which takes
place over a very short time. Most of these floods are a result of heavy rainfall,
a dam break or melting ice. Flash floods are the most dangerous, as people
cannot prepare or move to a safe place.
A volcanic eruption is a mountain where molten rock erupts through the
surface of the earth. An eruption begins when magma (molten rock) rises
toward the earth’s surface. When the magma reaches the surface, it is
called lava. After the lava has erupted, it cools down and forms rocks.
There are three different kinds of volcanoes; an active volcano erupts
frequently; a dormant volcano is inactive but might erupt after a long time,
and an extinct volcano will never erupt again.
Volcanic Eruptions
Tsunamis are large ocean waves that are the result of earthquakes or
volcanic eruptions occuring under water. When an earthquake is powerful
enough to move the ocean floor, massive waves are formed. When the waves
of a tsunami reach the shore, they can cause major damage. The waves of a
tsunami are different from normal waves. They are usually just a foot high,
but can be 60 miles long and travel at speeds of up to 500 mph! When the wave
reaches shallower water near the coastline, it slows down and rapidly
Tsunamis
increases in height. Some tsunamis can be as high as 100 feet! The water that
crashes into the coast and floods the land causes major damage. The waves are powerful enough to destroy anything in
their path.
An avalanche happens when a layer of snow becomes loose and slides
down a mountain slope. There are four factors that can cause an
avalanche: a steep mountain slope, snow cover, a weak layer of snow and
human activity. Most avalanches are caused by people. There are three
types of avalanches: powder; slab, and wet. A powder avalanche starts at
a single point and becomes bigger as it moves down. This kind of avalanche
can reach speeds of up to 190 mph. A slab avalanche is the most common
type and is the result of a buildup of fresh snow on top of a weak layer of
snow. A wet avalanche occurs when it gets warmer. Snow eventually turns
into water and becomes heavier, which then causes an avalanche.
Wildfires
Avalanches
A wildfire is a fire that occurs in wild land areas. They often begin
unnoticed, but soon spread quickly and destroy bushes, trees, farmlands
and also houses. Some wildfires are caused by lightning and volcanic
eruptions, but most of them are caused by people. Wildfires are very
difficult to control and put out because they are enormous in size and
often change direction. Some of these fires can move up to 6 mph and
even jump over rivers and roads. Firefighters often remove trees and
grass that are acting as fuel for the fire. This method is called a firebreak.
Another method is called air drop. Airplanes and helicopters are used to
drop thousands of gallons of liquid from the air.
A hurricane is a massive and violent storm. Some hurricanes are
600 miles across and can reach wind speeds of up to 200 mph.
Hurricanes form above warm ocean waters. When warm and moist
air above the ocean rises, giant clouds are formed. If there is
enough water in the cloud, it will start rotating and a hurricane will
form. A hurricane is the same thing as a typhoon or a cyclone. The
only difference is that they occur in different parts of the world.
Hurricanes form above the Atlantic Ocean or eastern Pacific
Ocean, cyclones above the Indian Ocean and the southern Pacific
Ocean and typhoons in the western Pacific Ocean.
Hurricanes
Exercise 15: Answer the questions below.
1) What is the cause of most wildfires?
7) What is a flash flood?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
2) What is the difference between a hurricane, a
typhoon, and a cyclone?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
3) What are the causes of an avalanche?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
4) What is the difference between a tornado and a
hurricane?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
5) What is the difference between magma and lava?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
6) What is the difference between an extinct, an active,
and a dormant volcano?
___________________________________________________
8) What are the causes of a landslide?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
9) How does a tsunami form?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
10) What are the ‘ingredients’ for a tornado?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
11) How do firefighters put out wildfires?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
12) Why does a tsunami get bigger near the coast?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Exercise 16: What is the worst natural disaster in your opinion? Explain.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Exercise 17: Unscramble the words and find them in the word search.
uotmhnrrsted
1)
7)
__________________________
atqaruekhe
8)
__________________________
earsemopth
9)
__________________________
When two air masses meet, they can cause instability in the …
yeohretcnp
4)
ooesinr
fwlo
otmandr
__________________________
cenvalhaa
__________________________
A sudden movement of snow down a slope.
11)
__________________________
irproad
__________________________
A method to put out a wildfire.
An event that can cause a landslide.
6)
__________________________
A _____ volcano is quiet but might erupt again.
10)
__________________________
The place where the earth’s plates move during an earthquake.
5)
mgmaa
Molten rock under the surface of the earth.
What causes a tsunami?
3)
__________________________
A flood that occurs suddenly.
Tornadoes form from … .
2)
dlhlfsfoao
12)
__________________________
honopty
__________________________
A violent storm that occurs in the West Pacific Ocean.
A slow landslide with massive amounts of water.
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Natural Wonders
Mount Everest (China and Nepal)
Northern Lights (Arctic regions)
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. Its
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are an
peak is 29,035 feet above sea level, which is as high as
amazing display of lights that can be seen at night in
airplanes fly! The mountain is located in the Himalayas,
regions near the North Pole. These lights are the result
on the border of China and Nepal. The 1,500-mile-long
of interactions between the sun and the Earth’s outer
mountain range was formed because of the movements
atmosphere. They are caused by energetic particles
of the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates. Every year,
from a solar storm, which causes gasses of the upper
Mount Everest rises a quarter of an inch.
atmosphere to glow. Their various colors are a result of
different light emissions from oxygen and nitrogen
gasses that are being energized by solar particles. They
can last up to several hours per day and take place
between 50 to 100 miles above the ground.
The highest part of Mount Everest (above 25,000 feet)
is called the Death Zone. This part of the mountain is so
high that the air is too thin for humans to breathe.
People who climb the mountain need to bring extra
oxygen in order to survive.
Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)
Grand Canyon (United States)
The Victoria Falls are the largest waterfalls in the world
The Grand Canyon was formed over a period of 6 million
and are located in the Zambezi River between Zambia
years by the erosion of the Colorado River. It is located
and Zimbabwe in Africa. The cliff of the Victoria Falls
in northern Arizona in the United States. The canyon is
stretches more than a mile. The water makes a 350-feet
277 miles long. It ranges between 4 and 18 miles in width,
drop into the gaps of the Zambezi River. Every second,
and is nearly a mile deep. The Grand Canyon covers an
over 38,000 cubic feet of water plunges over the crest
area of over 1,900 square miles.
of the waterfall.
Rock Islands (Palau)
Zhangjiajie (China)
The Rock Islands of Palau are located in the Pacific
Zhangjiajie is a national park in China and is famous for
Ocean. These islands seem to sit on giant pedestals.
its beautiful mountains. The magnificent natural beauty
However, these were formed by ancient coral reefs.
of this park is featured in the movie Avatar. The area
The bases of these islands have slowly eroded over time,
has more than 3,000 massive quartzite pillars that reach
which has led to the bases getting mushroom shapes
the clouds. Some pillars are over 2,600 feet tall.
over a course of time. There are 445 limestone islands
that all used to be volcanoes. Some of the Rock Islands
are visible even up to 200 feet under water. They have
coral walls and under water caves.
Niagara Falls (United States)
The Niagara Waterfalls are part of the Niagara River,
which is located on the border between the United
Ngorongoro Crater (Tanzania)
The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest intact
volcanic crater and is located in the north of Tanzania,
in Africa. It covers an area of over a 100 square miles
and was formed nearly 2.5 million years ago from a
volcano whose cone collapsed inwards after a massive
eruption. The Ngorongoro Crater contains amazing
diversity of animals. It is home to over 30,000 animals,
including lions, cheetahs, elephants, wildebeests,
buffaloes and rhinos.
States and Canada. The waterfalls are not very high, but
they are very wide. Around 6 million cubic feet of water
drops over the cliff each minute.
Exercise 18: Are the statements about the natural wonders of the world true or false?
1) The Niagara Falls are located in the
South of the United States.
( )
8) The Ngorongoro Crater is an active
volcano.
( )
2) The Rock Islands of Palau used to be
volcanoes.
( )
9) Zhangjiajie is one giant mountain in China.
3) There is no air at the top of the Mount
Everest.
( )
10) The Colorado River has shaped the
Grand Canyon.
( )
( )
4) People in Texas can see the Northern
Lights better than people in Canada.
( )
11) The Rock Islands were formed by coral
reef.
( )
5) The Victoria Falls are a part of the
Zambezi River.
( )
12) The Himalaya Mountains are continuously
getting higher.
( )
6) Mount Everest is the highest mountain
in the world.
( )
13) The Mount Everest is located in Africa.
( )
( )
7) The Northern Lights are a result of
interactions between the sun and the
Earth’s atmosphere.
( )
14) The Mount Everest is a part of the
Himalaya Mountains.
Exercise 19: Where are the natural wonders located on the world map?
( ) Rock Islands
( ) Victoria Falls
( ) Northern Lights
( ) Zhangjiajie
(
( ) Grand Canyon
( ) Mount Everest
( ) Ngorongoro Crater
( ) Niagara) Falls
1
2
5
4
8
6
7
3
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is located on the east coast of Australia and consists of series of smaller reefs. It stretches
1,250 miles along the coast. The total area of the Great Barrier Reef covers around 80,000 square miles. Reefs are
formed in clean, warm and shallow seas and are made of coral, sand or rock. The top of most reefs sits around 3 feet
below the surface. Large coral reef areas, such as the Great Barrier Reef, take thousands of years to develop. They
grow less than 2 inches per year.
There are three different kinds of coral reef. Fringing reef is the first type; it is
formed when coral grows in shallow and warm waters near the coast. The second
type is barrier reef, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This kind of reef
grows at some distance from the coast before coming close to the surface. A
lagoon separates barrier reef from the shores of the land. The third type is atoll
reef; it is circular reef with a lagoon in the center. The waves of the lagoon cover
a submerged island and the reef grows in layers over the island.
The Great Barrier Reef
off coast of Queensland.
The Great Barrier Reef has many islands that are made of piled up coral sand.
Coral sand forms when waves hit dead coral breaking it into sand. These kind of
islands are called Coral Cays. They are difficult to see and practically impossible to reach by boat because sharp corals
can tear out the bottom of the boat. Near some Coral Cays, ancient shipwrecks can be found.
The Great Barrier Reef is home to many different kinds of species of
living animals. There are small organisms like microscopic plankton and
massive animals such as sharks and whales. The whole reef has more
than 1500 different species of fish, around 350 species of hard and soft
coral, nearly 200 different kinds of seabirds and over 4000 different
species of mollusk and shellfish such as clams, crabs and lobsters. Apart
from these marine animals, there are also many different kinds of
mammals living in the area
such as whales and dolphins.
Clownfish
Scientists believe that climate change will cause huge damage to the Great
Barrier Reef. Warmer and more acid water will slow the calcification of the
reef; which is needed to grow and become strong. The reef may lose its color
and many species in the area may be in danger as well. The Australian
Government has already spent over $300 million to safe the coral reef area
in the last 2 years. Another treat that the reef is facing is the poor quality of
water that is pouring into the ocean from the mainland. A lot of this water is
polluted with farm insecticides and rubbish from nearby towns.
Exercise 20: Read the passage and answer the questions.
1) What is the Great Barrier Reef and where is it
located?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
2) In what kind of waters does coral reef grow?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
5) Name ten different kinds of animals that live in the
Great Barrier Reef.
___________________________________________________
3) What are Coral Cays?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
6) What threats is the Great Barrier Reef facing?
___________________________________________________
4) What are the different kinds of coral reef? Write
their name under the images below.
___________________________________________________
7) What can the Australian government do to protect
the Great Barrier Reef?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
_____________
_____________
_____________
Exercise 21: Match the words with their definitions.
shallow
little
surface
invertebrate sea animal
submerged
breed
mollusk
not deep
lagoon
shallow coastal body
reef
microscopic
coral
species
outer part
under water
ridge of rock near the surface
plant-like organism
The Amazon
The Amazon is the second longest river in the world and is around 3,980 miles
Poison Dart Frog
long. It is also one of the widest rivers. At some points, the Amazon is 6 miles
wide! There is a lot of water flowing in the river. Around 20% of the water that
pours out of the world’s rivers into the oceans has its origins in the Amazon. Nearly 40% of the water from the South
American continent is collected by the Amazon. There are also many tributaries of the river, with some being longer
than 1,000 miles!
The Amazon River is part of a much larger area which
is called the Amazon Rainforest. 60% of Brazil’s land
consists of tropical rainforests. The Amazon covers
over a billion acres and spreads over nine countries. Such
an immense area serves as a good habitat for a wide
variety of plants and animals. In some parts of the forest,
the vegetation cover is so dense and thick that even the
sunlight cannot reach the surface. Roughly, 20% of the
world’s oxygen is produced by the Amazon Rainforests.
It is because of this reason that these forests are
sometimes referred to as the “lungs of the planet”.
There are four different ecosystems in the Amazon Rainforest.
The surface (or forest-floor) of the
jungle receives very little sunlight
and because of this, there is not
much life in this layer. Only 2% of the
forest floor receives sunlight. Most
life consists of decaying plant and animal matter.
The canopy is located above the
under-story and contains trees and
plants with very dense foliage.
Most of these plants grow fruit and
bear flowers. Some plants in this
ecosystem have the ability to retain water and hence
provide a habitat for small organisms. This layer is home
The under-story is the second
ecosystem and also does not
receive much sunlight. It mainly
consists of broadleaf plants with
large leafs. This layer is home
to birds, insects, snakes and
predators such as jaguars and boa constructors.
to most plant and animal life. Some of the larger animals
that live in this layer include toucans, parrots and
monkeys.
The layer above the canopy is called an emergent layer.
There is plenty of sunshine and it consists of massive
trees that are home to many animal species. Eagles,
butterflies, bats and certain monkeys live in this layer.
The rainforest has a lot of resources and a warm and humid climate. These
factors make it an ideal home for a wide variety of animals. The uniqueness
of these rainforests is such that even today, there are still new animal
species being discovered. The Amazon River also serves as a habitat to
more than 3,000 different species of fish. The piranha is probably the most
famous and feared fish that swims in the rivers of the Amazon. There are
also many different kinds of amphibians, such as toads and frogs.
Interesting Facts
Every year, nearly 2,700 million acres of rainforest are
burnt down.
There are around 50 tribes in the Amazon that have
never had any contact with the outside world.
In the year 1500, around 7 million indigenous people were
believed to live in the Amazon area. Today, there are
only 250,000 Amazon natives left.
The Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest
in the world.
A long time ago, the Amazon River flowed west-ward
instead of east-ward (as it does now). The rise of the
Andes Mountains made it flow into the Atlantic Ocean.
The Toucan is the loudest animal of the Amazon
Rainforest. The bird can be heard up to half a mile away.
Jaguar
The rainforest of Brazil is also home to 1,700
different bird species. Many of these birds are very
colorful, such as hummingbirds, macaws, toucans and
parrots. There are 650 kinds of reptiles and nearly
600 mammal species. As the ecosystems of the area
vary, different kinds of animals live in different
places. Many animals who live in the Amazon are
threatened by deforestation. Increasing agriculture,
logging and urbanization are the major problems
that these animals are facing. A decrease in
resources, such as food and shelter have increased
the list of endangered animals, such as manatees,
harpy eagles and jaguars. More than 20% of the
rainforest has been destroyed.
Exercise 22: Read the passage and answer the questions below.
1) What is the Amazon?
5) Why is there only limited life on the floor of the
rainforest? Explain.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
2) Why is the Amazon called “the lungs of the planet”?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
6) Name ten animals that live in the Amazon Rainforest.
____________________________________________________
3) What are the 4 ecosystems of the Amazon?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
4) In which ecosystem do most animals live? Why is this
so?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
7) What are the problems that the Amazon is facing?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Exercise 23: Complete the crossword puzzle.
Across
2) A famous fish that swims in the Amazon River.
6) The ..... layer consists of giant trees.
7) The Amazon is home to 1,700 species of ..... .
8) Around 20% of the world's ..... is produced by the
Amazon Rainforest.
9) The Amazon Rainforest is the ..... rainforest in the
world.
Down
1) Streams that flow to another body of water.
3) The Amazon is threatened by .....
4) In some parts of the rainforest, ..... doesn't reach
the floor.
5) A long time ago, the Amazon was home to 7
million ..... people.
6) The Amazon has four different ..... .
Reflection
Exercise 24: Answer the questions below.
1) What is the difference between climate and weather?
4) What are the names of the five oceans?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
2) How does the water cycle work?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
5) How do the oceans affect the weather?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
6) What is the difference between a hurricane, a
cyclone, a typhoon, and a tornado?
3) What is the Greenhouse Effect?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Exercise 25: To which climates do the words below belong?
Penguin
Cactus
Equator
Maritime
Tundra
Ice
Arid
Rain
Arctica
Taiga
Moderate
Desert
Tropical
Polar
Mild
Dry
Cold
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