Vocabulary
What is a carbon sink?
Anything that absorbs more carbon than it releases.
The main idea is that saving whales can significantly help reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and combat climate change.
What is the main idea of the passage?
How much carbon dioxide can a large whale absorb in a year?
A large whale can absorb about 33 tons (30 metric tons) of carbon dioxide in a year.
What is the purpose of the passage?
The purpose is to inform readers about the importance of whales in fighting climate change.
What is an example of a text feature used in the passage?
The passage uses headings to organize different sections about whales and their role in carbon absorption.
Define Climate Change
Climate change is any significant change in the earth's climate over a long period of time.
How do whales contribute to carbon storage?
Whales store carbon in their bodies and help increase the carbon absorption of plankton and krill.
What challenges do whales face today?
Whales face threats from hunting, climate change, ship strikes, and interference from wind turbine projects.
What message is the author conveying about saving whales?
The author conveys that saving whales may be more effective for the environment than planting trees.
How does the use of statistics serve as a text feature in the passage?
The use of statistics provides evidence to support claims about the impact of whales on carbon levels.
What does "photosynthesis" mean?
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and other organisms use sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into food.
Why is it important to protect whale populations?
Protecting whale populations is crucial because they play a role in absorbing carbon and mitigating climate change.
In what year did scientists publish research on the role of whales in carbon absorption?
Scientists published research in December 2022.
Why might the author include statistics about whale populations?
The author includes statistics to emphasize the decline of whale populations and the need for conservation efforts.
What role do subheadings play in the passage?
Subheadings help break down information into manageable sections and guide the reader through main points.
Carbon dioxide is a gas that is produced by burning fossil fuels and is a significant contributor to climate change.
What is "carbon dioxide"?
The ocean is the largest carbon sink, absorbing about 40 percent of all carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere in the last 300 years.
What role does the ocean play in carbon absorption?
How do whales indirectly help the carbon absorption process?
Whale waste provides nutrients that help plankton and krill thrive, increasing their carbon absorption through photosynthesis.
How does the author use examples of carbon sinks?
The author uses examples like the ocean and trees to illustrate different ways carbon can be absorbed.
Why might images or graphs be useful in a text about whales and carbon absorption?
Images or graphs could visually represent data and make the information more engaging and understandable.
Endangered means that a species is at risk of extinction.
What does "endangered" mean in the context of whale populations?
Larger whale populations can absorb more carbon, helping to reduce climate change effects.
What is the relationship between whale populations and climate change?
What is one reason why restoring whale populations is difficult?
Restoring whale populations is difficult due to climate change affecting their habitats and human activities disrupting their lives.
What tone does the author take towards whales and conservation?
The author takes an informative and urgent tone, stressing the importance of whale conservation for the planet.
How does the structure of the passage help in understanding the content?
The structured format with categories helps readers easily locate and understand key ideas and supporting details.