Into the Deep: Discovering the Mariana Trench – Reading Practice for English Learners

Reading Comprehension Practice – Level B2

Have you ever wondered what lies at the bottom of the ocean?

While astronauts have explored space, only a handful of people have visited Earth’s deepest underwater point: the Mariana Trench.

What is the Mariana Trench?

The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the world’s oceans. It lies in the western Pacific Ocean, east of the Mariana Islands. The trench is more than 11,000 meters (about 36,000 feet) deep—deeper than Mount Everest is tall! At its lowest point, called the Challenger Deep, the pressure is over 1,000 times greater than at sea level.

A Place of Extremes

The trench is a hostile environment. It is completely dark, freezing cold, and under immense pressure. Yet, scientists have discovered strange and fascinating creatures that survive there. These include giant amoebas, transparent shrimp, and fish with no eyes.

Despite these harsh conditions, the trench is full of scientific interest. Studying it helps us learn more about Earth’s geology and deep-sea ecosystems.

Human Exploration

In 1960, Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh were the first humans to reach the Challenger Deep in a submersible named the Trieste. It took them nearly five hours to descend.

More recently, in 2012, James Cameron, the famous film director, made a solo dive to the bottom. He spent several hours filming and collecting samples.

Today, scientists use robotic submarines to explore the trench safely and gather data for research.

Why It Matters

The Mariana Trench remains one of Earth’s least explored places. Its mystery reminds us how much of our own planet is still unknown. As we protect our oceans from pollution, understanding places like the trench becomes even more important.

🧠 Vocabulary in Context

Word/Phrase & Meaning

Trench = A deep, narrow hole in the ocean floor

Hostile environment = A place where it’s very difficult for life to survive

Submersible = A small underwater vehicle

Pressure = The force of water pressing down

Ecosystem = A community of living things in a particular environment

❓Comprehension Questions

Choose the best answer (A, B, or C).

• Where is the Mariana Trench located?
  A) In the Atlantic Ocean
  B) Near Antarctica
  C) In the western Pacific Ocean

• What is the Challenger Deep?
  A) A submarine
  B) The deepest point of the Mariana Trench
  C) A marine animal

• What is special about the creatures in the trench?
  A) They are found in other oceans
  B) They survive in extreme conditions
  C) They live near the surface

• Who was the first to reach the bottom of the trench?
  A) James Cameron
  B) Jacques Cousteau
  C) Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh

• Why is it important to explore the trench?
  A) To build underwater cities
  B) To understand pollution better
  C) To learn more about Earth and protect the oceans

📘 Practice Tip

Try summarizing the main points of the article in 5 sentences using your own words. Then, share it with a study partner or teacher for feedback.

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