Swimming with Manatees, Florida's Gentle Giants - Test 1
B2 First · Gapped Text · Cambridge English First 3, Cambridge University Press
You are going to read a newspaper article about observing marine creatures called manatees. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (1–6). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
Swimming with Manatees, Florida's Gentle Giants
The truth is, swimming with manatees is a life-altering experience.
Those that have been injured or orphaned will also spend their lives there since they are unable to survive in the wild.
But this won't diminish the experience in the least.
This abundant source of food makes this area an ideal habitat for the manatees.
This was to avoid disturbing some of the manatees who were still sleeping while others were slow-paddling around.
They used their paddle-like tails to propel themselves, steering with their flippers, gracefully moving their bodies through the water in our direction.
Despite this, they look very cute.
When most people flock to the famous amusement parks in Orlando, Florida, they miss some of the natural wonders the State has to offer. It was in Citrus County on the beautiful west coast of Florida that we went to see the manatee, an amazing mammal that occupies coastal waters and rivers. Our days started early in the morning at Homosassa Springs, as this is the perfect time to snorkel with the manatees before they get tired of visitors. We boarded a pontoon boat with Captain Traci Wood from Native Vacations. Having spotted two manatees just below the water, Captain Traci stopped the boat as the duo slowly glided towards us.
Our boat was soon surrounded by other members of this gentle species. Soon we resumed our journey. Within a few minutes Captain Traci stopped the boat again and we were given instructions. Whatever you do, she said, remember the three golden rules: minimise splash noise; act with very slow movements; and when you touch one of these friendly, gentle gray giants on the back or stomach, never touch with more than one hand at a time. The Endangered Species Act forbids touching a manatee unless it touches you first, and they will let you know. The protection of this endangered species is taken very seriously. For children, there is absolutely no chasing or riding the manatees.
Most Homosassa manatees are very social and will come to you. The next day, at Three Sisters Springs, we entered the water very slowly, trying to keep down the amount of thick, muddy sediment rising from the bottom of the river.
This meant swimming with the manatees was not at all difficult or intimidating. We saw young children as well as seniors in the water and there was an abundant feeling of energy and curiosity among us all. Manatees are strictly herbivores, and they eat a great variety of species, including water hyacinth and water lettuce. They're very big, measuring 3 to 5 metres and weighing as much as 1,600 kilos.
Manatees are of course wild creatures, although when face to face with them, you're unlikely to feel any fear. Since not all visitors want to get nose-to-nose with the manatees, non-swimmers can also view them at Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park. The park provides a wonderful home for some manatees.
They are well looked after by people who really understand them. The park also serves as a research and observation centre, offering three daily educational programs to the public. From December to March, groups of manatees escape the cold winter ocean and bask in the warm waters near power plants and coastal springs that stay about 23 degrees year-round. Snorkellers, divers and swimmers come to Florida from all over the world for a chance to swim or interact with the docile manatee in its natural environment, rich in marine vegetation.
So the manatees arrive every year by the hundreds to find warmth, nourishment and maybe, just maybe, to visit us, the curious humans.
When most people flock to the famous amusement parks in Orlando, Florida, they miss some of the natural wonders the State has to offer. It was in Citrus County on the beautiful west coast of Florida that we went to see the manatee, an amazing mammal that occupies coastal waters and rivers. Our days started early in the morning at Homosassa Springs, as this is the perfect time to snorkel with the manatees before they get tired of visitors. We boarded a pontoon boat with Captain Traci Wood from Native Vacations. Having spotted two manatees just below the water, Captain Traci stopped the boat as the duo slowly glided towards us. ___ Our boat was soon surrounded by other members of this gentle species. Soon we resumed our journey. Within a few minutes Captain Traci stopped the boat again and we were given instructions. Whatever you do, she said, remember the three golden rules: minimise splash noise; act with very slow movements; and when you touch one of these friendly, gentle gray giants on the back or stomach, never touch with more than one hand at a time. The Endangered Species Act forbids touching a manatee unless it touches you first, and they will let you know. The protection of this endangered species is taken very seriously. For children, there is absolutely no chasing or riding the manatees. ___ Most Homosassa manatees are very social and will come to you. The next day, at Three Sisters Springs, we entered the water very slowly, trying to keep down the amount of thick, muddy sediment rising from the bottom of the river. ___ This meant swimming with the manatees was not at all difficult or intimidating. We saw young children as well as seniors in the water and there was an abundant feeling of energy and curiosity among us all. Manatees are strictly herbivores, and they eat a great variety of species, including water hyacinth and water lettuce. They're very big, measuring 3 to 5 metres and weighing as much as 1,600 kilos. ___ Manatees are of course wild creatures, although when face to face with them, you're unlikely to feel any fear. Since not all visitors want to get nose-to-nose with the manatees, non-swimmers can also view them at Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park. The park provides a wonderful home for some manatees. ___ They are well looked after by people who really understand them. The park also serves as a research and observation centre, offering three daily educational programs to the public. From December to March, groups of manatees escape the cold winter ocean and bask in the warm waters near power plants and coastal springs that stay about 23 degrees year-round. Snorkellers, divers and swimmers come to Florida from all over the world for a chance to swim or interact with the docile manatee in its natural environment, rich in marine vegetation. ___ So the manatees arrive every year by the hundreds to find warmth, nourishment and maybe, just maybe, to visit us, the curious humans.
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