Ocean Exploration

1. According to the author, why is the descent of Walsh and Picard to the deepest part of the ocean “largely forgotten today”? (Lines 1-15)

• A Other ocean explorers soon descended deeper.

• B Walsh and Picard did not discover anything of value.

• C The location of the Mariana Trench was too far away to be of interest.

• D People were more interested in the race to the moon.

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2. Why does the author think that the time may now be right to focus on ocean research? (Lines 16-28)

• A The space shuttle program has come to an end.

• B There is nothing more to be learned from space research.

• C Ocean research will cost less than the space program.

• D Ocean researchers can learn from discoveries made in space.

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3. What evidence does Cousteau give to support his idea that “we’ve only dipped our toes in the water” of ocean exploration? (Lines 35-56)

• A The ocean covers more than 70 percent of our planet.

• B His grandfather co-invented the SCUBA system.

• C We’ve explored only about 10 percent of the ocean.

• D The ocean supports life as we know it.

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4. Why does Cousteau compare the ocean to “unopened presents under the tree”? (Lines 45-60)

• A The ocean contains knowledge waiting to be discovered.

• B People will be surprised at what the ocean reveals.

• C Ocean exploration is like a gift from his father and grandfather.

• D People do not appreciate the ocean as they should.

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5. Why does the author mention that the space shuttle program had “an estimated price tag of nearly $200 billion”? (Lines 18-28)

• A to suggest that the money was not well spent

• B to suggest that the money might now be available for ocean research

• C to suggest that the scientific advances were worth the cost

• D to suggest that exploring the oceans will cost less

6. What is Philippe Cousteau’s main purpose for writing this commentary? (Lines 77-98)

• A to tell stories about his father and grandfather

• B to summarize the history of the space program

• C to persuade readers of the importance of exploring the oceans

• D to explain how people have polluted the oceans

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7. What is the opposing viewpoint and refutation Cousteau mentions? (Lines 85-98)

• A Destroying our ocean’s resources is bad business with devastating consequences.

• B The public demand and political will and bravery to take the plunge in order to insure that the oceans can continue to provide life to future generations.

• C Our next big leap into the unknown can be every bit of exciting and bold as our pioneering work in space.

• D There is still much to learn and discover through space exploration, we also need to pay attention to our unexplored world here on Earth.