Reading Passage: Climate change is a pressing issue affecting various ecosystems worldwide, including marine environments. The rise in global temperatures due to human activities has led to significant changes in ocean ecosystems, impacting marine life in profound ways. One key consequence of climate change on marine ecosystems is ocean acidification. As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere increase, a portion of this gas is absorbed by the oceans, leading to the acidification of seawater. This acidification poses a threat to marine organisms that rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons, such as corals, mollusks, and certain types of plankton. The increasing acidity of the oceans makes it harder for these organisms to maintain their calcium carbonate structures, ultimately weakening their ability to survive and thrive. Another critical impact of climate change on marine ecosystems is the phenomenon of coral bleaching. Coral reefs, known as the 'rainforests of the sea,' are highly sensitive to changes in water temperature. When ocean temperatures rise, corals expel the colorful algae living in their tissues, causing the corals to turn white or 'bleach.' This bleaching process weakens the corals and makes them more vulnerable to disease and death. Additionally, rising sea levels and changes in ocean currents due to climate change can disrupt the habitats of various marine species, leading to shifts in distribution patterns and potential extinctions. These disruptions can have cascading effects throughout the food chain, impacting not only marine organisms but also human communities that depend on coastal resources for sustenance and livelihoods. Questions: 1. What is a primary consequence of ocean acidification on marine organisms? A) Increased shell and skeleton growth B) Weakened ability to maintain calcium carbonate structures C) Enhanced survival and reproductive rates D) Improved resistance to environmental stressors 2. How does coral bleaching affect coral reefs? A) It enhances the color diversity of corals B) It strengthens the resilience of corals to disease C) It weakens the corals and makes them more prone to death D) It promotes the growth of algae within coral tissues 3. Based on the passage, what can be inferred about the impact of rising sea levels on marine ecosystems? A) Rising sea levels have no effect on marine species B) Rising sea levels disrupt the habitats of marine species C) Rising sea levels improve the distribution patterns of marine species D) Rising sea levels have a positive impact on coral reefs 4. What is the rhetorical purpose of the passage? A) To entertain readers with fictional stories about marine life B) To inform readers about the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems C) To persuade readers to take immediate action against ocean pollution D) To criticize governmental policies on marine conservation 5. Where would the following sentence best fit in the passage? "In recent years, scientists have observed a noticeable decline in the population of certain fish species in the affected regions." A) After describing ocean acidification B) After discussing coral bleaching C) After addressing the impact of rising sea levels D) After highlighting the importance of coral reefs 6. Write a summary of the main points discussed in the passage. 7. Which of the following statements presents negative factual information regarding marine ecosystems? A) Rising sea levels can lead to habitat disruption for marine species B) Ocean acidification poses a threat to marine organisms that rely on calcium carbonate C) Coral bleaching is a natural process that benefits coral reefs D) Climate change impacts can have cascading effects throughout the marine food chain Answer Key: 1. (B) 2. (C) 3. (B) 4. (B) 5. (C) 6. Summary: The passage discusses the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems, specifically focusing on ocean acidification, coral bleaching, and habitat disruptions caused by rising sea levels. 7. (C)