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Name: WEEK 3
Visualization DAY 1 READ THE PASSAGE As you read, picture the Garbage Patch in your mind.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
In the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii, millions of tons of garbage swirl slowly in the water. The remains of bottles, plastic bags, fishing nets, and other items float gently around. This is the Pacific Garbage Patch, and it’s a huge problem. The Pacific Garbage Patch is in a part of the ocean where water moves endlessly in a circle. Trash from thousands of miles away is pulled by ocean currents until it travels to this spot. Most of the garbage is plastic. This is because plastic doesn’t break down easily. It can only break down into small pieces. These small pieces look like food to fish, birds, and other animals. When these animals eat the plastic instead of filling up on real food, they can become sick and starve to death. Scientists worry that this ocean garbage will hurt more than just marine life. Eventually, sick animals can make their way into the human food supply. But right now, nobody is sure how to solve the problem. One thing that does work, though, is to recycle plastics or throw them away properly. Remember, if your soda bottle doesn’t become litter in the first place, it won’t get into the ocean.
STRATEGY PRACTICE Underline words in the passage that describe the Pacific Garbage Patch.
SKILL PRACTICE Read each question. Fill in the bubble next to the correct answer.
1. What is the passage mostly about? 3. Recycling helps the ocean because . A things made from plastic A it turns plastics into food B plastic in the ocean B it provides jobs for scientists C how plastic breaks down C it keeps trash out of the ocean D the reasons to recycle plastic D it stops people from throwing plastic away 2. Why do marine animals mistake plastic for food? 4. What are scientists worried about? A Plastic breaks down into small pieces. A The plastic makes the ocean ugly. B Plastic smells like food to the animals. B The plastic could eventually hurt people. C Plastic carries pieces of food with it. C The plastic makes it difficult to swim. D Plastic provides animals with energy. D The plastic is all coming from Hawaii.