Geography

What are the zones of the ocean?

The ocean is divided into zones based on sunlight and depth. 
Example: Sunlight zone (0–200m), Twilight zone (200–1,000m), Midnight zone (below 1,000m). 

What is plankton and why is it important?

Plankton is tiny drifting organisms; they are the base of the marine food chain. 
Example: Phytoplankton make oxygen; zooplankton are food for small fish.

What are coral reefs made of?

Coral reefs are built by tiny animals called polyps that secrete hard limestone shells. 
Example: Coral polyps form structures like the Great Barrier Reef.

How does overfishing affect marine environments? 

Overfishing removes too many fish, breaking the food chain. 
Example: Removing tuna reduces food for sharks and dolphins.

What is bycatch?

Bycatch is when unwanted sea creatures are caught while fishing. 
Example: Sea turtles caught in shrimp nets are bycatch. 

How does plastic pollution affect the ocean?

Plastic takes hundreds of years to break down and harms marine animals. 
Example: A whale died after eating 40kg of plastic. 

What is the purpose of a compass rose on a map?

It shows directions on the map. 
Example: Northeast is between North and East.

What is the purpose of a key (legend) on a map?

A key explains what the symbols mean. 
Example: Blue line = river, Green = forest. 

How do you measure distance using a scale? 

Measure with a ruler and multiply using the scale. 
Example: 4 cm on a 1:25,000 map = 1 km in real life.

How do contour lines show height on a map?

Contour lines join places of equal height. 
Example: A hill is shown by circles; the smallest circle is the peak.

What is an ocean current?

A current is a large movement of ocean water caused by wind, temperature, and salt levels. 
Example: The Gulf Stream brings warm water to Europe.

What are tides and what causes them?

Tides are the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the Moon’s gravity. 
Example: Two high and two low tides each day.