Unit 11: National Park - Reading

Read the following passage carefully, and then select the best option A, B, C or D to complete it National Parks and Preserves, (1) _______ public lands or bodies of water within a country, set aside by the (2) _______ to protect ecosystems, plant and animal species, scenic landscapes, geologic formations, or historical or archaeological (3) _______. National parks are managed primarily for public recreation, (4) _______ exceptional locations where visitors can view wildlife and enjoy the (5) _______. Generally, these protected public lands are off-limits to hunting, livestock grazing, logging, mining, and other (6) _______ that exploit natural resources. Some parks commemorate significant historical events. (7) _______, Gettysburg National Military Park (1895) in Pennsylvania conserves the 13 sq km (5 sq mi) site of the pivotal battle in the (8) ______ Civil War (1861-1865). National preserves, sometimes (9) _______ nature or wildlife reserves, often are located within or near national (10) _______. These lands are managed by national governments primarily for wildlife protection or scientific research (11) _______ recreation, and provide “living laboratories” in (12) _______ scientists observe plant and animal species in their natural habitat. (13) _______, fishing, and mining are permitted within many United States preserves (14) _______ the activities do not harm natural resources. Many other countries specifically ban such activities in their (15) _______.