Listen&Learn: Australia’s bright pink lake

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

This lake confused scientists and fascinated tourists.

Pre-listening vocabulary

• attraction: a site that is interesting and brings in tourists
• puzzled: confused, baffled
• abundance: a large amount of something
• bacteria: tiny, single-celled organisms
• effortless: easy, simple
• concentration: the amount of a substance in a solution

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

Lake Hillier, a small lake on one of Australia’s , is a famous tourist attraction known for its unusual pink colour. The lake was first discovered in 1802. For years, even scientists were puzzled by the of a pink lake. However, most scientists now agree that the colour is probably caused by an abundance of bacteria. This bacteria doesn’t make the lake – it’s considered to be safe to swim in. In fact, swimming in Lake Hillier would be very effortless. This is because the high concentration of salt in the water would allow a person to easily on the surface. Not many people have been in the lake, though, because it is a protected area, and it’s difficult for the average tourist to access. Most tourists take a helicopter so that they can view the lake from the air.

Comprehension questions

1. This lake is likely pink because of an abundance of

bacteria

salt

chemicals

Correct! Wrong!

This lake is likely pink because of an abundance of bacteria.

2. The concentration of salt in Lake Hillier would make it easy for a swimmer to

float on the surface

sink to the bottom

drink the water

Correct! Wrong!

The concentration of salt in Lake Hillier would make it easy for a swimmer to float on the surface.

3. Tourists usually visit the lake by

taking a ferry to the island

taking a helicopter tour

crossing a bridge

Correct! Wrong!

Tourists usually visit the lake by taking a helicopter tour.

Discussion/essay questions

1. A similar lake in Australia, known simply as Pink Lake, was also once a popular tourist attraction. However, it lost its pink colour years ago due to human activities. Do you think this could happen to Lake Hillier? How could this be prevented?

Transcript

Lake Hillier, a small lake on one of Australia’s islands, is a famous tourist attraction known for its unusual pink colour. The lake was first discovered in 1802. For years, even scientists were puzzled by the idea of a pink lake. However, most scientists now agree that the colour is probably caused by an abundance of bacteria. This bacteria doesn’t make the lake unsafe – it’s considered to be safe to swim in. In fact, swimming in Lake Hillier would be very effortless. This is because the high concentration of salt in the water would allow a person to easily float on the surface. Not many people have been in the lake, though, because it is a protected area, and it’s difficult for the average tourist to access. Most tourists take a helicopter tour so that they can view the lake from the air.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

© EnglishClub.com

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33 comments

• Kris Anne says:
  

  Thank you! It helps me to improve my listening skills in understanding the English language.

• Caridadgomo says:
  

  I love the natural spaces.Thanks

• Veronica says:
  

  thank you, very interesting

• Mounika katam says:
  

  Thank you

• Mounika katam says:
  

  Good

• Magfirah Rizki Husain says:
  

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• FITRIYANI KONIYO says:
  

  Thank you:)

• Charmila says:
  

  Thank you

• Charmila says:
  

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• Asmaul Husna says:
  

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• Sri Susanti Hodio says:
  

  Thank you sir

• Fatrah Dwik Cantika Sujitno says:
  

  Interesting!
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• Deya Rahmatia H. Anuli says:
  

  Thank you sir.

• Risman taib says:
  

  Thankyou sir

• Asmaul Husna says:
  

  thank u sir

• Yusri Moha says:
  

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• Sarah says:
  

  oh, I am bad. I can not hear good as you. What should I do?

• suprianti says:
  

  THANKS

• Veranda Gobel says:
  

  That’s really nice test. I get more knowledge about it. And also can learn to improve my listening skills from this test.
  Thank you..

• Nurhasanah Y. Eato says:
  

  Thank you

• Jusniati A. Gama says:
  

  Thanks

• Srikantha Raja Padala says:
  

  It is very interesting to know the information on lake and listening, memory skill test is great. Practice makes continuous improvement to anybody.

• Lĩnh says:
  

  thank you.

• ahmed says:
  

  Great

• Jocelyne says:
  

  It’s sure, really this lake can lose his pink color like a similar lake. But the area is protected and the tourists visit by air.

• Rupali says:
  

  Thank u, it was nice test.all correct hurrah.

• Camtu says:
  

  Well

• Francine Turgott-Ricketts says:
  

  If the laws governing human activities are removed, then,it is almost sure that lake Hillier will loose its colour.

• Anna says:
  

  I agree with Meredy.

• The King Of Love From IRAN says:
  

  Thank you,

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