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.

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

• iceberg

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

• ice sheet