Australia: Nature - Level 3

Australia is the only country in the world that is also a continent. Located in the southern 

hemisphere, between the Pacific and Indian oceans, Australia is one of the largest 
countries in the world. 
Despite its vast size, Australia does not have a large population. In the year 2000, there 
were about 19 million people in Australia. Most Australians live within a short distance of 
the ocean, because much of the interior of Australia is extremely dry. The remote areas of 
Australia, known as the "outback," contain several sandy, rocky deserts. Some parts of 
the outback receive somewhat more rainfall, and can support some grassy vegetation. In 
these areas, there are many ranches, or farms, where sheep and cattle are raised. 
Although the outback of Australia is a harsh place, some parts of it are quite beautiful. In 
the middle of the Australian continent, a large red rock known as [bad word] stands in the 
desert. It is nearly 350 metres tall and is nearly 10 kilometres around. [bad word] from 
all over the world to see this huge and beautiful rock in the middle of a flat desert. 
In contrast to the dry interior areas, the northern coast of Australia receives a great deal 
of rainfall. This area is covered in thick, lush vegetation, with tropical rainforests whose 
exotic trees and flowers are found nowhere else in the world. Off the north-east coast of 
the continent, a large coral reef known as the Great Barrier Reef is found. coral reef is a  [bad word] that consists of the bodies of small underwater animals called coral, whose 
dead bodies create this unusual [bad word] beneath the surface of the water. The reef and 
the underwater life surrounding it are especially beautiful. 
Australia was separated from the rest of the world for millions of years. As a result, many 
of the plant and animal species in Australia are very different from those in other parts of 
the world. For example, many of the animals in Australia belong to a special category 
called the "marsupials." Marsupials are mammals, but they are a special kind of mammal, 
because they give birth to offspring that are not yet well developed. In many marsupials, 
the offspring continue to develop, after being born, inside a pocket or "pouch" on the 
mother's body. 
The most famous marsupial is the kangaroo. Kangaroos can travel at great speeds by 
hopping on their hind legs and using their large tails for balance. The kangaroo is a 
rather large animal, with the larger individuals sometimes weighing 90 kilograms. 
Another famous marsupial is the koala. This animal is sometimes called a koala bear 
because it looks somewhat like a small bear. The koala lives in the branches of trees 
called eucalyptus trees. Koalas eat the leaves of eucalyptus trees. 
Of course, Australia also has people. We will discuss the people of Australia in the next 
passage.