IELTS Listening · Cam 10

Test 1 Part 4

Despite its name, the Great Barrier Reef isn't just one large coral reef. Rather, it's a system of coral reefs

Level: B2 · 31 sentences

Transcript

  1. Despite its name, the Great Barrier Reef isn't just one large coral reef.
  2. Rather, it's a system of coral reefs
  3. that stretches along the east coast of Australia,
  4. covering an area of around 300,000 square kilometres.
  5. The Great Barrier Reef is composed of approximately 3,000 individual reefs,
  6. which range in size from one hectare to more than 10,000 hectares each.
  7. In addition, around 600 islands are scattered throughout the area,
  8. particularly at the northern and southern ends.
  9. The reefs themselves are composed of over 400 different kinds of coral,
  10. the largest variety of corals found anywhere in the world.
  11. Thousands of species of sea animals live in and around the reefs.
  12. Altogether, approximately 1500 species of fish inhabit the reef area,
  13. including a number of different kinds of sharks.
  14. One of the more interesting mollusks to be found in the reefs is the giant clam.
  15. This huge shellfish can live for more than 100 years
  16. and can weigh as much as 200 kilos.
  17. Sea mammals abound in the area,
  18. which serves as a breeding ground for certain types of whales,
  19. many of which are endangered.
  20. Over 200 species of sea and shorebirds feed,
  21. roost or nest among the reefs and islands.
  22. Many types of reptiles can also be found living among and near the reefs.
  23. Saltwater crocodiles, for example, inhabit the marshes along coastal areas.
  24. Amphibians include at least seven species of frogs inhabiting the islands of the reef.
  25. Unfortunately, this wondrous area of the world is threatened by climate change.
  26. Rising sea temperatures have led to an effect called coral bleaching,
  27. that is large numbers of corals dying off,
  28. especially in the shallower areas of the reef.
  29. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is attempting to find effective ways to deal with this issue
  30. that threatens the reef.
  31. One proposed solution involves shading the reef in certain areas to help keep the surrounding water temperatures down.