Page 50 - index

2023 ‫מועד סתיו‬ - 49 - ‫ פרק שני‬- ‫אנגלית‬

Text II (Questions 18-22)

(1) Visually arresting and geographically intriguing, the Bonneville Salt Flats in the
U.S. state of Utah were formed at the end of the last ice age. As a massive lake slowly
evaporated, millions of tons of salt and other minerals were left behind, filling the lake
bed and forming a hard, flat crust. Today, the Salt Flats cover an area 20 kilometers

(5) long and 8 kilometers wide. Winter rains flow down onto the flats, bringing
replenishing minerals from the hills and thickening the salt in the lake bed. In the
intense heat of summer, the rainwater dries up and the surface of the salt hardens.
While the center of the Salt Flats is barren, ponds and marshes near the edges – where the
salt layer is just inches thick – provide a habitat for numerous plant and animal species.

(10) People seek out the striking landscape for a variety of reasons. The bright white
expanse has been featured in photographic and video productions for decades.
Television commercials, fashion shoots, and films with science fiction themes have used
the backdrop to give the impression of another world. The Salt Flats also draw
astronomy buffs, who enjoy the view of the stars unobstructed by light pollution.

(15) One of the Salt Flats' greatest claims to fame is as a driving venue. For more than a
century, professionals and thrill seekers alike have been racing cars and breaking speed
records at the Bonneville Speedway. In 2021, a driver reached the astonishing speed of
750 kilometers per hour. Several factors make the Salt Flats appealing to racers. In the

summer, the hardened salt pan is smooth, allowing for great speeds. The salt also
(20) provides car tires with the traction they need to avoid skidding. In homage to the Salt

Flats, models of a motorcycle and a car have been named "Bonneville".

Like other natural sites, the Bonneville Salt Flats are a fragile environment. The
sturdy salt crust that racers rely on has been deteriorating, causing many events to be

cancelled. There have been occasional summers of "bad salt" in the past, but the
(25) downward trend is worrisome. Climate change, mineral mining, and wear and tear from

driving may be to blame. The Save the Salt Coalition, a cooperative effort of local
residents, environmental organizations, and the racing community, has been urging the
government to take action on behalf of this prized national landmark.

Questions

18. The main purpose of the text is to -

(1) discuss changes in the Bonneville Salt Flats from the last ice age to the present
(2) discuss an important national landmark in the U.S.
(3) describe efforts to save a striking landscape in danger of disappearing
(4) discuss the people who are drawn to the Bonneville Salt Flats

)‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬
.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬