The Great Rise and Fall: The Spectacular Tides of the Bay of Fundy
Located between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Bay of Fundy is home to one of the most dynamic and dramatic natural phenomena on the planet: the highest tides on Earth. Every day, twice a day, billions of tons of seawater flow in and out of the bay, completely reshaping the coastal landscape in a span of just over six hours. This ceaseless cycle of rising and falling waters creates an environment of extreme contrasts, where towering cliffs are submerged by ocean currents and dry ocean floors become accessible to terrestrial explorers.
- Tidal Resonance:
- The matching of the natural frequency of water sloshing back and forth in a bay with the rhythmic timing of the ocean's tides, which greatly amplifies the tide's height.
- Tidal Bore:
- A strong wave generated by an incoming tide that travels upstream against the current of a river.
- Intertidal:
- The coastal area that is exposed to the air at low tide and underwater at high tide.
- Kinetic Energy:
- The energy that an object or body possesses due to its motion.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Between which two Canadian provinces is the Bay of Fundy located?
- 2How high can the tides in the Bay of Fundy reach compared to the average global tidal range?
Where this passage belongs
You Might Also Like
About this report passage for Middle School
“The Great Rise and Fall: The Spectacular Tides of the Bay of Fundy” is a report reading passage about Bay of Fundy Tides, written for Middle School. It takes about 4 minutes to read (542 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.