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Unit 1 The Dead Sea

Reading Comprehension

One of the strangest environments in the world is the Dead Sea between
Israel and Jordan. [A] There are no living plants or creatures in or around the
Dead Sea. [B] This is because the Dead Sea is the saltiest body of water in
the world. It is six times as salty as the world’s oceans. [C] It is so salty, in
fact, that if you drove a car into the sea, it wouldn’t sink. [D] It would float!
In such salty waters, it is impossible for fish or water plants to live.

[E] The Dead Sea is so salty because while all the rivers in the area lead
into the Dead Sea, no rivers lead out. [F] Every year, the rivers bring more
salt into the Dead Sea. [G] But unlike other seas, there is no way for the salt
to leave the Dead Sea. [H]

While the high salt level in the Dead Sea means that no fish or plants can
live in it, it also has some benefits. The extremely salty waters are very good
for the skin. As a result, the Dead Sea has always been a popular place for
spas. In addition, the mud from the Dead Sea is highly valued as a cosmetic.
Even 3,000 years ago, the Egyptian queens used to send their servants to
the Dead Sea to bring them mud packs!

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