Module test 3 (4th year) reading (Variant II)

Read the article about the tourism industry in Belize and answer if the sentences are true or false.

Belize Belize, which lies on the east coast of Central America, is a former British colony and has a population of approximately 2 million.

The climate of Belize is sub-tropical and the country has an average temperature of 20°C. Running the length of the coastline of Belize is a barrier reef, which is second only in size to the Australian Great Barrier Reef.

In a similar way to tropical rain forests, coral reefs are among the most complex and delicate of all ecosystems. As well as protecting the coastline from hurricane damage, Belize's barrier reef has always been an essential source of food and income for local fishermen.

Like the governments of other developing countries, the Belizean government has actively encouraged the development of tourism as a way of earning foreign exchange. Last year, over 200,000 tourists visited the country. But the growth of tourism is now threatening the delicate marine life of the coral reef.

In order to make room for hotels to be built and to provide beaches, the swamps of tropical mangrove trees have had to be cleared. As a result, shore erosion has occurred and vital areas which are home to rare reef plants have been destroyed. The coral reef itself is also under threat -from pollution, from the physical damage caused by the anchors of cruise ships and boats chartered by tourist divers, and from the activities of some of the divers themselves.

Additionally, over-fishing has seriously reduced the populations of fish and shellfish such as conch, grouper, and lobster. The anticipated rise in sea level as a result of global warming is also expected to damage the coral and fish reserves.

The government of Belize has responded to these problems by setting up a Coastal Zone Management Plan, with the aim of carrying out regular surveys to monitor the effects of tourism and fishing on reef life. But because Belize has a foreign debt of about $100 million, it has had to rely on support from environmental groups to continue with this important work.

One particular environmental group is Coral Cay Conservation, a voluntary team of divers and marine biologists, which is currently working on a project to establish a marine reserve at the southern end of the barrier reef.

The government has also agreed to provide funds to establish a new Conservation Division which will establish and manage a number of new conservation areas in Belize.

1. Belize is a former British colony.

2. Coral reefs can’t be compared to tropical rain forests.

3. Belize’s barrier reef has been a source of food and income.

4. The growth of tourism can threaten the marine life.

5. Vital areas which are home to rare reef plants are protected from shore erosion.

6. Physical damage is caused by the anchors of cruise ships…

7. Government didn’t take any steps to these problems.

8. Belize has to rely on support from environmental groups.

9. They plan to establish a marine reserve.

10. The government agreed to provide funds for only one new conservation area in Belize.