Sharks and Ocean Ecosystem Worksheet

The idea that sharks help keep the ocean ecosystem healthy is best supported by the fact that—

• They eat only small fish.

• They scare away predators.

• They help control animal populations in the ocean.

• They swim long distances every day.

Which detail best belongs in a summary of this article?

• Sharks are often feared by people.

• Some sharks live near tropical islands.

• Sharks play an important role by keeping ocean life balanced.

• Sharks can swim hundreds of miles.

The author’s purpose in the first paragraph is to

• Describe how ocean life is connected

• List different shark types

• Compare sea turtles and fish

• Give opinions about sharks

The idea that sharks support ocean plant life is best supported by the fact that -

• Sharks clean algae off of sea grass.

• Sharks help control sea turtle populations that damage sea grass.

• Sharks only eat fish.

• Sharks live near coral reefs.

Which two details about sharks do NOT belong in a summary of the article?

• Sharks are often feared by people.

• Tiger sharks can be found near Hawaii.

• Sharks help balance populations in the ocean.

• Sharks keep the ecosystem healthy.

According to the article, how do sharks help control disease in ocean animals?

• They scare away large predators.

• They eat fish that live near the ocean floor.

• They feed on sick or weak animals, helping stop disease spread.

• They stay near coral reefs.

The main idea of the article is that -

• Sharks are dangerous predators.

• Sharks help balance ocean ecosystems and are important to the food chain.

• Sharks are found in warm ocean waters.

• Sharks live near islands.

Which heading would best fit paragraph 2?

• Sea Turtles in the Ocean

• How Sharks Help Sick Animals

• Dangerous Hunters

• Coral Reefs and Ocean Plants

Directions: Drag the answers to the correct lines. Match the heading to each section of the article.

• Paragraph 4

• Shark Populations Are Declining

• Paragraph 1

• Sharks and the Food Chain

• Paragraph 2

• Why Sharks Matter

• Paragraph 3

• The Balance of Nature

What does the word ecosystem mean in the section “Why Sharks Matter”?

• A predator that lives in the sea

• A part of the ocean where coral grows

• A group of animals that eat the same food

• A community of living and nonliving things that work together