Grade 7 - answers for the comprehension

                                               Undersea Explorer

I. Read the passage and answer the questions:

The Titanic was one of the greatest ships ever built. On April 10, 1912, it left England on its first voyage. On the ship were more than 2,200 passengers and crew. Four days later, as it was crossing the Atlantic on its way to the United States, it hit an iceberg and sank. More than 1,500 people died in the freezing water, and the Titanic disappeared beneath the ocean. Its exact location remained a mystery until it was found in 1985 by Dr.Ballard.

Ballard had spent more than thirty years exploring under the ocean. He pioneered the use of deep-diving submersibles and has been on about 110 undersea expeditions. In 1973 and 1974, he explored the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a huge undersea mountain range in the Atlantic. In 1977, he discovered 2.5-m worms living in the ocean near Ecuador, South America. He also discovered underwater volcanoes off the coast of California in 1979. Ballard was the perfect person to search for the Titanic.

Ballard began his search for the Titanic in 1977. His first attempt failed, but he did not give up. In August 1985, he returned to the area where the Titanic sank. A submersible named Argo travelled along almost 4km below Ballard's ship, transmitting pictures to Ballard. Early on the morning of September1, Ballard noticed unusual shapes in the sand at the bottom of the ocean. Then he saw clear pictures of a ship. After seventy-three years, the Titanic had been found.

Questions:

1. What is the main purpose of the passage?

To tell the story of the discovery of the Titanic.

2. How do you think the Titanic passengers felt as they started their voyage?

They must have felt thrilled and excited to be a part of the Titanic journey.

3. Where did the Titanic begin its voyage?

On April 10,1912,it left England on its first voyage.

4. What is Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

A huge undersea mountain range in the Atlantic.

5. How did Titanic sink?

It hit an iceberg and sank.

6. If you had come across a Titanic survivor, what would you ask him or her?

Subjective