UNIT 7: SUBUNIT 2 Antarctica

Which body of water surrounds Antarctica on all sides?

• Atlantic Ocean

• Pacific Ocean

• Indian Ocean

• Southern Ocean

What feature of an iceberg makes it so dangerous to ships?

• An iceberg moves at high speeds due to water currents.

• Most of an iceberg’s mass is below the surface of the water.

• An iceberg is usually so small that ships just plow over it.

• An iceberg always appears larger than it actually is.

Which of the following statements about the explorers Roald Amundsen and Robert Scott is accurate?

• Both men had much experience dealing with cold and snow.

• Both men were explorers from Norway.

• Both men were explorers from Great Britain.

• Both men wanted to be the first to reach the South Pole

  
  

Why is there no permanent human settlement in Antarctica?

• The ice shelves along the coast prevent ships from coming close year-round.

  
  

• The harsh conditions in winter make it unfavorable for year-round inhabitants.

  
  

• The weakening ozone layer makes the environment unsafe for humans in the winter

  
  

• The rules set by the Antarctic Treaty prevent scientists from studying there

  Year-round.

  
  

How much food and other supplies do Antarctic research stations store?

• enough for a year or more

• enough for six months

• enough for two months

• enough for three years

Explain why very little of the sun’s heat energy reaches Antarctica.

Answer explanation

Antarctica is very far from the equator, where the sun's heat is strongest. The sun's rays have to travel a long distance through the cold air and ice, making it lose some heat energy along the way. That's why it's so chilly there.

​ (a)   is the main activity that countries participate in Antarctica today?

• Scientific Research
• Global Warming
• Territorial Claims
• Tourist Exploration

What is the main effort attributed to the Antarctic Treaty?

• Protection of the Antarctic Environment

  
  

• Protection of Member Nations Claims to Territory

  
  

• Peacefully dividing Antarctica to sizable member nation territories.

  
  

• Protection of the Polar Bears

  
  

What can be said about Antarctica’s sea and land life?

• no life inhabits Antarctica of any kind

• The seas around Antarctica are too cold to support much marine life.

• Whales feed in the Southern Ocean during the winter months.

• All of the sea, land, and flying creatures in Antarctica are essential parts

  of the food chain.

  
  

Match each item with its description.

• large chunk of ice made of freshwater

• ice shelf

• thick layer of ice and compressed snow forming a solid crust over land

• iceberg

• thick slab of ice that is attached to a coastline but floats on the ocean

• ice sheet