The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system, comprising over 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands. Home to an astonishing diversity of marine life, including countless species of fish, sharks, mollusks, and sea turtles, it is an ecosystem of immense ecological importance. However, it faces severe threats from climate change, ocean acidification, and pollution.
The passage primarily serves to:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Highlight the ecological importance and threats to the Great Barrier Reef.
The passage describes the size and biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef and then discusses the threats it faces. Thus, it primarily aims to describe the reef's significance and its challenges.