Name ______________________________ Core _________ Date ________________________
What's Hiding in the Coral Reefs?
a number of crustaceans, such as tiny shrimp-like
animals with claws longer than their bodies. Scientists
also found about 130 soft corals, also known as
octocorals. Like other corals, these are made up of
polyps that cover their surfaces. Octocorals are named
for the eight tentacles that fringe each polyp.
"People have been working at these places for a
long time and still there are … hundreds and hundreds
of new species that no one has ever collected or
described," said Julian Caley. Caley is a scientist from
the Australian Institute of Marine Science. He is
SYDNEY, Australia. In the waters off the
coast of northeastern Australia, there is a vast network
helping to lead the research.
Scientists at several Australian museums are
of coral reefs called the Great Barrier Reef. The
now in the process of naming all of the creatures they
brightly colored reefs are not only beautiful to look at.
have found. This is more difficult than it may seem.
They also provide shelter for marine species that are
First, scientists must study each type of creature and
found nowhere else. Recently, marine scientists
place it in one of many categories of living things that
discovered hundreds of previously unknown animal
exist. They already know, for example, that the
species on reefs in Australian waters.
shrimp-like creatures they found are crustaceans. Then
The creatures were found during expeditions
scientists will use what they have learned about the
run by the Australian chapter of CReefs, a global
newly discovered creatures to name them. This work is
census of coral reefs. CReefs is one of several projects
expected to take years.
of the Census of Marine Life, an international effort to
Researchers plan to explore the three sites
catalog all life in the oceans. The census researchers
where they found the new creatures annually for the
conducted three expeditions. Two of the expeditions
next six years. They hope to learn more about soft
took place in the waters off the Great Barrier Reef's
corals, which are poorly understood. Scientists are also
Lizard and Heron Islands. The other one took place in
looking to catalog the number of animal species that
the Ningaloo Reef, on Australia's northwest coast. The
live on Australia's coral reefs. In addition, they want to
researchers collected thousands of samples during the
find out how many species are unique to the reefs and
three-week trips, which took place between April and
how they respond to human disturbance.
September.
The studies uncovered creatures that had never
been written about in scientific reports. These included
Researchers also placed 36 plastic house-like
structures on the ocean floor in various locations
around the three sites. Animals are likely to be
attracted to the structures and make them their homes.
marine life; it could also have direct benefits for
Researchers will go back and study the life inside each
humans because some marine life is used in medicines.
house over the next few years.
The project marks the first time any group has
"Some people say, 'Going out and collecting
samples—of what value is that?'" said Ron Johnstone,
made a concentrated effort to understand the
a marine science professor who has looked at the
biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef. It's important
research. In response, Johnstone compared the planet
work. Coral reefs protect as many as one-quarter of the
to a machine. The more familiar scientists are with the
planet's marine species, but reefs are under threat.
parts of the machine, he said, the better they can help
They are harmed by certain fishing practices, as well
fix its problems. "It's a bit like saying … [without
as over-fishing and pollution. The scientists' findings
research], we don't know what bits of the machine fit
could show them how better to protect the reefs.
together to make it work."
Helping the reefs would not only be beneficial to
Dictionary
beneficial (adjective)
biodiversity (noun)
census (noun)
helpful
the range of living things in an environment
official count of a population
crustacean (noun)
a type of aquatic animal with a segmented body and paired, jointed limbs, including lobsters,
crabs, and shrimp
polyp (noun)
a type of animal form that has a fixed base, a column-shaped body, and a free end with a mouth and
tentacles
Multiple Choice: Circle the letter of the choice the best completes the statement. (2 points each)
1. What is this article mainly about?
A. Coral reefs protect many of the planet's marine
species, but reefs can be harmed by pollution.
B. Researchers have placed house-like structures on
the ocean floor at research sites.
C. Scientists hope to learn more about soft corals,
which are a major part of the Great Barrier Reef.
D. Scientists have discovered some previously
unknown animal species on reefs in Australian
waters.
4. Suppose that Jamal wants to find out more about the
Great Barrier Reef. He would find most of his information
__________.
A. Between Australia and India on a map of the world
B. In the glossary of a book about scuba diving in
tropical waters
C. In a reference book about the seas around Australia
D. Under the term "pollution" on a Web site about the
world's oceans
5. The article states: The census researchers conducted
2. According to the article, why were marine scientists
three expeditions. Two of the expeditions took place in
exploring the coral reefs in Australia?
the waters off the Great Barrier Reef's Lizard and
A. Their study was necessary in order to determine the
beauty of the coral reefs.
B. Their study was part of an international effort to
catalog all life in the oceans.
C. Their study was part of an effort to identify three
Heron Islands. The other one took place in the Ningaloo
Reef, on Australia's northwest coast. Which would be
the closest synonym for the word conduct?
A. Donate
B. Isolate
sites that would be best for tourists who want to
C. Direct
look at coral. Their study was needed to measure
D. Ambush
the effect of fishing laws on the Great Barrier Reef.
3. Which is the closest synonym for the word beneficial?
A. Favorable
B. Unique
C. Sullen
D. Interior
6. The author probably wrote this article in order to
__________.
A. Inform readers about what coral reefs around the
world look like
B. Inform readers about the discovery of unknown
species on Australian reefs
C. Explain the differences between various species of
crustaceans
8. The news article says all of the following except
__________.
D. Explain the reasons why the coral reefs are in
danger from pollution
7. Which of these is most important to include in a
summary of this article?
A. Two of the expeditions took place in the waters off
the Great Barrier Reef's Lizard and Heron Islands.
B. Researchers collected thousands of samples during
the three-week trips, which took place between
A. The scientific studies could have direct benefits for
the treating of human illnesses.
B. Scientists are now in the process of naming the
newly found sea creatures.
C. The studies uncovered creatures that had never been
written about in scientific reports.
D. Scientists will explore the places where they found
April and September.
C. Scientists know that the shrimp-like creatures they
found are crustaceans that had been previously
discovered during an earlier marine expedition.
D. Scientists are now in the process of naming all of
the creatures found during the three expeditions to
Australia's coral reef
new creatures annually for the next six years.
Opinion Question:
Now that you have read the article, indicate in the space below what you think the best
reason is to study Australia's coral reefs? (5 points)
Thought Question: What have scientists learned about Australia's coral reefs? Why is it important to study the
reefs? Refer to the article for ideas. You can use your own ideas, too. (5 points)
Math- The Great Barrier Reef has over 1,000 miles of coral reefs. One mile is the same as 1.61 kilometers. How
many kilometers are equivalent to 1,000 miles? (2 points)