Life on Earth and Beyond

Which months is Antarctica in darkness for each winter?

• from June to November

• from April to September

• from May to October

• from July to December

Why do the Dry Valleys of Antarctica fascinate astrobiologists?

• The Dry Valleys are warm and dry, just like the surface of Mars.

• The Dry Valleys are cold and dry, just like the surface of Mars.

• The Dry Valleys are home plants that also grow on the surface of Mars.

• The Dry Valleys are home to aliens who traveled there from other planets.

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"The cargo plane had no reclining seats or meal service. No windows either. It was eight hours of being cold and cramped." What do these details tell us about Chris Mackay's flight to Antarctica?

• It was an enjoyable flight.

• It was an uncomfortable journey.

• His journey to Antartica was more comfortable than a normal flight.

• He saw some incredible scenery on the journey there.

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Which detail tells us that it was difficult to survive at Battleship Promontory?

• The scientists had to fill two helicopters with camping gear, equipment, food and water before flying there.

• Everybody at Battleship Promontory lived in a tent.

• At the end of the trip, helicopters flew out every piece of trash and human waste.

• The scientists went shopping at McMurdo's supermarket: a big metal hut filled with groceries.

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What effect did the climate in Antarctica have on the food that the scientists brought with them?

• The food rotted and spoiled quickly because of the cold, dry air.

• The cold, dry air made the food become tasteless.

• Nothing rotted or spoiled in the cold, dry air.

• The food rotted and spoiled quickly becuase the air was hot and humid.

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How do creatures survive the world's coldest and worst weather in the Dry Valleys?

• They shelter themselves from the cold by digging homes in the snow and eatting plants that grow under the ice.

• They live inside the rock, surviving on small amounts of summer sunlight and drops of snowmelt.

• The migrate to the Dry Valeys in the summer, when the waether is warm and there is a lot of food to eat.

• They live in the hot springs in the middle of the Dry Valleys and feed on bacteria.

Scientists believe that if life exists on Mars, it may be similar to the microbes found in rocks in Antarctica. According to the reading, why do they believe this?

• Scientists have looked for life on Mars in every other place. Inside rocks is the only other place they could be.

• They beleive the same microbes found in Antarctica traveled to Mars.

• A shelter of rock or dirt would be important to protect any Martian life from the Sun's radiation.

• The microbes feed on ice and there is a lot of ice on Mars.

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What is a "living thing?"

• A living thing eats, gives off waste, reproduces and evolves.

• A living thing eats, has babies, makes a home for itself and has a job.

• A living thing gives off waste, reproduces and evolves.

• A living thing eats, evolves and makes a home for itself.

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Why is fire not an example of life?

• Fire cannot reproduce.

• Fire cannot eat.

• Fire does not give off waste.

• Fire cannot evolve.

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Which of the following statements about science is true?

• Science is about always finding the correct answer. If you can't find it, you are bad at science.

• Science is about testing out new things. Sometimes things work out, and sometimes they don't.

• Science is about proving that you are right and everyone else is wrong. The best scientists are always right.

• Science is about finding life in rocks on Mars.