Use of English

The Deep Sea

The deep sea remains one of the least understood parts of our planet. Although scientists have made great progress, much of it is still (0) UNKNOWN to the public. For centuries, people believed the ocean floor was a silent, empty place. However, modern research has (1) .......... that this is far from true. Strange creatures, some of which produce their own light, live in conditions that would be impossible for most animals. One reason the deep sea attracts so much attention is that it is full (2) .......... surprises. New species are discovered every year, and each one helps researchers (3) .......... a better understanding of how life can survive in extreme environments. In addition, deep-sea ecosystems may hold clues that could lead (4) .......... medical advances in the future. Despite this, exploring the deep ocean is far (5) .......... easy. The pressure is enormous, and the darkness makes observation difficult. Scientists must rely (6) .......... special equipment that can operate safely at great depths. Even so, many experts believe we have only just begun to scratch the (7) .......... of what lies below. For that reason, interest in the deep sea is likely to (8) .......... growing in the years ahead.