Reading Passage: The Guardian of the Glades
Leo sat by the edge of the mangrove forest, watching the brackish water rise slowly with
the tide. In his IB class, they had been inquiring into how human actions impact fragile
ecosystems. The mangroves weren't just "salty trees" to him anymore; they were the
"Earth’s armor." Their tangled roots acted as a filter, trapping plastic waste before it
could reach the deep ocean, and provided a safe nursery for tiny fish and crabs.
However, Leo noticed a troubling change. A new construction project nearby was
clearing the mangroves to build a luxury resort. Without the trees, the local fishermen
told him the water was becoming murky, and the storm surges felt stronger. Leo realized
that by destroying the mangroves, the community was losing its natural protection.
He decided to take Action. For his PYP Exhibition, Leo started a campaign called "Save
the Roots." He created digital infographics to show his neighbors that protecting these
trees wasn't just about saving nature—it was about protecting their own homes.
Comprehension Questions (IB Inquiry Standard)
1. Literal Understanding (Finding Key Details)
● What metaphor does Leo use to describe the mangrove trees?
● List two specific ways the mangrove roots help the environment, according to the
text.
2. Conceptual Thinking (Connection & Causation)
● Causation: How did the construction of the luxury resort directly affect the local
community and the water quality?
● Perspective: Why did Leo feel that protecting the mangroves was a
"responsibility" rather than just a choice?
3. Vocabulary in Context
● Find a word in the first paragraph that describes an environment where fresh
water and salt water mix.
Leo sat by the edge of the mangrove forest, watching the brackish water rise slowly with
the tide. In his IB class, they had been inquiring into how human actions impact fragile
ecosystems. The mangroves weren't just "salty trees" to him anymore; they were the
"Earth’s armor." Their tangled roots acted as a filter, trapping plastic waste before it
could reach the deep ocean, and provided a safe nursery for tiny fish and crabs.
However, Leo noticed a troubling change. A new construction project nearby was
clearing the mangroves to build a luxury resort. Without the trees, the local fishermen
told him the water was becoming murky, and the storm surges felt stronger. Leo realized
that by destroying the mangroves, the community was losing its natural protection.
He decided to take Action. For his PYP Exhibition, Leo started a campaign called "Save
the Roots." He created digital infographics to show his neighbors that protecting these
trees wasn't just about saving nature—it was about protecting their own homes.
Comprehension Questions (IB Inquiry Standard)
1. Literal Understanding (Finding Key Details)
● What metaphor does Leo use to describe the mangrove trees?
● List two specific ways the mangrove roots help the environment, according to the
text.
2. Conceptual Thinking (Connection & Causation)
● Causation: How did the construction of the luxury resort directly affect the local
community and the water quality?
● Perspective: Why did Leo feel that protecting the mangroves was a
"responsibility" rather than just a choice?
3. Vocabulary in Context
● Find a word in the first paragraph that describes an environment where fresh
water and salt water mix.
