GRADE 9 English NATURAL RESOURCES:MARINE LIFE – READING:INTENSIVE READING Notes
READING: INTENSIVE READING
NATURAL RESOURCES: MARINE LIFE (English grammar focus)
Short passage (for close reading)
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The Kenyan coast is rich in marine life. Coral reefs near Mombasa and Malindi support many fish and plants. Fisherfolk catch tuna and sardines, which provide food and jobs for coastal communities. However, some reefs are damaged by pollution and careless fishing. In recent years, scientists have noticed that corals bleach when water becomes too warm. "We must protect the reefs," said a marine officer, "so future children can enjoy them." Local communities are planting mangroves to protect shorelines and to give young fish safe places to grow.
Key vocabulary (simple)
- coral reef — a large underwater structure made by tiny animals (coral)
- bleach / bleaching — when corals lose colour because of stress (e.g., warm water)
- mangroves — trees that grow on the coast and protect the shoreline
- fisherfolk — people who fish for a living
Grammar focus (examples taken from the passage)
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Present simple for facts/general truths
Example: "The Kenyan coast is rich in marine life." (use present simple to state facts) -
Present continuous / present simple contrast
Use present continuous for actions now (not in this short passage) and present simple for habits and facts. -
Past simple for completed events
Example: "scientists have noticed that corals bleach" — note present perfect here (have noticed) to show a recent action with present result. Compare: "scientists noticed" (past simple — a finished event). -
Present perfect
Use for actions that started in the past and matter now. Example from passage: "have noticed". -
Direct speech and reported speech
Direct: "We must protect the reefs," said a marine officer.
Reported: The marine officer said that they must protect the reefs. -
Modal verbs for advice and obligation
Example: must / should (must = strong obligation; should = advice). -
Relative clauses to combine sentences
Example: Coral reefs are places that support many fish. -
Countable and uncountable nouns
Countable: fish (individual fish), communities. Uncountable: pollution.
Intensive reading tasks (focus on grammar)
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Find and underline in the passage:
- a present simple sentence
- a present perfect phrase
- a direct speech sentence
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Fill in the blanks (use words from the passage; show correct grammar):
a) Many coastal people _______ (depend) on fishing for jobs.
b) Some reefs _______ (become) damaged by pollution in recent years.
c) Scientists _______ (notice) bleaching of corals. -
Change these sentences from active to passive:
a) Fisherfolk catch tuna and sardines.
b) Local communities are planting mangroves. -
Combine into one sentence using a relative clause:
a) The reef is beautiful. The reef supports many fish.
b) The officer spoke. The officer warned the people. -
Reported speech (change from direct to reported):
The marine officer said, "We must protect the reefs." (Write as reported speech)
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Modals — choose the best modal (must / should / might):
a) Communities _______ plant mangroves to protect the shore.
b) Corals _______ bleach if water becomes too warm. -
Identify countable and uncountable nouns (from passage):
List two countable nouns and one uncountable noun.
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Sentence transformation (change tense):
Change to past simple: "Local communities are planting mangroves to protect shorelines."
Answers and model responses (click to show)
1. Underline (model answers)
- Present simple: "The Kenyan coast is rich in marine life."
- Present perfect: "have noticed" in "scientists have noticed that corals bleach"
- Direct speech: "'We must protect the reefs,' said a marine officer."
2. Fill in the blanks
a) Many coastal people depend on fishing for jobs.
b) Some reefs have become damaged by pollution in recent years. (or "were damaged")
c) Scientists have noticed bleaching of corals.
3. Active → Passive
a) Tuna and sardines are caught by fisherfolk.
b) Mangroves are being planted by local communities. (present continuous passive)
4. Combine with relative clause
a) The reef that supports many fish is beautiful. (or "The reef, which supports many fish, is beautiful.")
b) The officer who spoke warned the people. (or "The officer who spoke warned the people.")
5. Reported speech
The marine officer said that they must protect the reefs. (or: The marine officer said that we must protect the reefs.)
6. Modals
a) should (Communities should plant mangroves to protect the shore.)
b) might (Corals might bleach if water becomes too warm.) — or "can" / "will" depending on meaning; "might" shows possibility.
7. Countable / uncountable
Countable: fish, communities, mangroves, reefs
Uncountable: pollution
8. Change tense to past simple
Local communities planted mangroves to protect shorelines.
- Present simple: "The Kenyan coast is rich in marine life."
- Present perfect: "have noticed" in "scientists have noticed that corals bleach"
- Direct speech: "'We must protect the reefs,' said a marine officer."
2. Fill in the blanks
a) Many coastal people depend on fishing for jobs.
b) Some reefs have become damaged by pollution in recent years. (or "were damaged")
c) Scientists have noticed bleaching of corals.
3. Active → Passive
a) Tuna and sardines are caught by fisherfolk.
b) Mangroves are being planted by local communities. (present continuous passive)
4. Combine with relative clause
a) The reef that supports many fish is beautiful. (or "The reef, which supports many fish, is beautiful.")
b) The officer who spoke warned the people. (or "The officer who spoke warned the people.")
5. Reported speech
The marine officer said that they must protect the reefs. (or: The marine officer said that we must protect the reefs.)
6. Modals
a) should (Communities should plant mangroves to protect the shore.)
b) might (Corals might bleach if water becomes too warm.) — or "can" / "will" depending on meaning; "might" shows possibility.
7. Countable / uncountable
Countable: fish, communities, mangroves, reefs
Uncountable: pollution
8. Change tense to past simple
Local communities planted mangroves to protect shorelines.
Tip: When you read intensively, look for verb forms, direct speech, and small connecting words (and, but, so). These help you understand grammar and meaning quickly. 📝