Understanding Coral Bleaching — Reading Comprehension
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About This Reader
Coral bleaching is a big problem for the Great Barrier Reef. It happens when corals get stressed, usually because the water is too warm. Corals have tiny algae living inside them that give them their bright colors and provide them with food. When corals are stressed, they push out these algae. This makes the corals turn white or "bleached." Bleached corals aren't dead, but they are in danger. Without their algae, corals don't get enough food and can starve. If the water doesn't cool down quickly, the bleached corals might die.
In recent years, the Great Barrier Reef has experienced several major bleaching events. These events have affected large parts of the reef, causing some areas to die. Coral bleaching is one of the biggest threats to the future of the Great Barrier Reef.
What usually causes coral bleaching?
Water that is too coldWater that is too warmToo much sunlightNot enough salt in the waterWhat gives corals their bright colors?
Special rocksTiny fishTiny algaeUnderwater lightsWhat happens when corals are bleached?
They turn bright redThey grow biggerThey turn whiteThey sink to the bottom of the oceanWhat do the algae provide to the corals?
Protection from predatorsFoodAbility to floatAbility to glow in the darkWhat happens to bleached corals if the water doesn't cool down quickly?
They might dieThey grow back strongerThey change colorThey move to a new locationAccording to the passage, how serious is the threat of coral bleaching to the Great Barrier Reef?
It's a minor problemIt's one of the biggest threatsIt's not a threat at allIt only affects a small part of the reef
