A visit to the Ocean Center – by Rebecca Hardy, aged 13
My family and I went to the Ocean Center in my hometown recently. It was one of the most
amazing places I’ve ever been. We don’t live near the sea, so I don’t get much chance to see
living creatures for myself.
Inside the center you go on what they call an ocean journey. It takes you from the smallest
stream, through rivers, and out into the deepest ocean. Along the way you meet fish and other
creatures that live in these places. And there are thousands of them – some pretty and peaceful,
and others frightening and deadly.
Our guide told us that the Center was originally set up to help look after the seas and protect the
life within them. In fact, every entry ticket bought there helps the Center to achieve its aim, so I felt
my visit was in a good cause.
By chance, we arrived just at feeding time and watched staff give food to hundreds of fish. I
wanted to do it too, but the staff wouldn’t let me. But I’d still really recommend being there at
feeding time. You’ll see feeding times advertised at the ticket sales, or you can telephone in
advance to find out when they are.
The most fascinating part of the visit for me was a new exhibition at the Center that told the story
of seahorses across the world. It has the biggest collection for these magical creatures in Europe,
and almost as many as one in the USA. I found out about what they ate, and how a male
seahorse managed to give birth to 1500 babies! And although our guide told us it was hard to see
the young ones, we were lucky enough to catch sight of some in the tank!
We also went to one of the Center’s talks about the underwater world.
Ours was called ‘Sharks’,
and the one on the following day was called ‘Creatures of the Deep’. There are talks on other
topics given on different days, so it’s best to check which talk will take place on the day you go.
Once we’d bought our ticket, we could go in and out of the Center as many times as we liked
during the day. We can also buy an annual pass that gives you unlimited entry all year around. I’m
saving up for one!
For questions 1 – 5, circle A, if the sentence is correct, or B, if the sentence is incorrect.
For questions 6 – 10, answer the questions. Use your own words.
1. Rebecca hardy’s home is close to the coast.
2. At the Ocean Center, you can see fish from both seas and rivers.
3. All the creatures that are on display at the Center aren’t dangerous.
4. The admission fee for the center goes to environmental projects.
5. Rebecca was allowed to feed the fish at the Center.
6. Rebecca had to book in advance to see the fish at their feeding time.
7. The Ocen Centre has the largest collection of seahorses in the world.
8. Rebecca was pleased that she was able to see baby seahorses in the exhibition.
9. Each day, the Centre holds lots of talks on different topics.
10. Rebecca found she could leave and return to the Centre during her visit without paying again.
