【明報專訊】Hong Kong is surrounded by sea. We can find a fascinating underwater world with coral (珊瑚) communities sheltering a diverse and exquisite range of fish and marine fauna. Some of the best diving sites in Hong Kong include Sharp Island (橋嘴洲), Ninepin Group (果洲群島), Tung Ping Chau (東平洲), etc.

The myriad shapes of corals and the diversity of coral-associated organisms in Hong Kong are of high aesthetic value, which attract lots of local scuba divers (水肺潛水員) and snorkelers (浮潛員). Corals are also extremely important to water and soil conservation of the coast.

While diving and appreciating the diversity and beauty of marine life is a satisfying experience, one should not forget to respect marine life's right of living. We should always bear in mind the marine code - do not touch, disturb or collect corals and other marine life.

source: www.afcd.gov.hk

■Quiz

1. In paragraph 2, "of high aesthetic value" is similar in the following meaning:

a. unattractive

b. wasteful

c. beautiful

d. clever

2. What is the marine code?

■English highway﹕Surround

Surround means "to be all around somebody or something". It is often passive in this meaning.

e.g. The apartment is surrounded by trees.

■Game

The Smarties found some scattered letters under the sea. Try to rearrange the letters and form a meaningful sentence.

S_ _ _ T_ _ O_ _ _ _

(see picture)

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

shelter (v) 保護

exquisite (adj) 精緻的

myriad (adj) 千變萬化

code (n) 行為準則

[Smarties' Power English 第250期]