GED Science Practice

What geographical feature is created when a body of water is separated from a larger body by a barrier like a reef?

1. Peninsula

2. Estuary

3. Lagoon

4. Glacier

The correct answer is: Lagoon

A lagoon is indeed the correct choice in this scenario. It is a shallow body of water that is separate from a larger body of water, typically an ocean or sea, often created by barriers such as reefs, sandbars, or islands. These barriers prevent waves from fully mixing the lagoon's waters with the open ocean, resulting in distinct environmental conditions within the lagoon. Understanding the other options helps clarify why they do not fit this description. A peninsula is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides but does not involve a barrier separating a body of water. An estuary is where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, usually at the mouth of a river, rather than being separated by a barrier. A glacier is a large mass of ice formed from compacted snow, which is unrelated to the concept of separating bodies of water.