Antarctica

In this sentence from paragraph 2, what does mass mean? “Over three-fourths of an iceberg’s mass is found below the water.”

• a church service

• a musical composition

• the amount of matter in an object

• the measurement of water on Earth

Which statement does not provide evidence that Antarctica has extreme temperatures?

• A. “Pieces of ice as large as small islands are found around Antarctica.”

• B. “There is more blowing snow than snow falling from the sky.”

• C. “Without these special clothes, they could not survive the cold.”

• D. “It is the coldest, windiest, and most elevated of all the continents.”

What can the reader conclude about the fact that Antarctica doubles in size during the winter?

• The blowing snow increases the land mass.

• The water surrounding the land becomes ice.

• The icebergs gradually move and connect to the continent.

• The location of the continent causes more precipitation during winter.

What is the best summary of this passage?

• Antarctica is the fifth largest continent. The Titanic sank because of one of its icebergs. It contains 90 percent of the world’s ice. Not all animals can survive in this cold region.

• Antarctica is located in the Antarctic Circle. This continent is icy, cold, and windy. Only penguins, whales, and seals live in the waters around this continent. Scientists study this region.

• Antarctica is one of the most unique continents on Earth. It is covered with ice, and its frigid waters contain icebergs. Because it is most often tilted away from the Sun, the climate is extremely cold. Survival on this continent is difficult.

• Antarctica is a natural laboratory for research that cannot be completed at any other location on Earth. Scientists go to the continent to study the climate. They must wear special clothing. They cannot stay for long periods of time.

What statement explains why Antarctica only experiences two seasons?

• Antarctica has two seasons because Earth is tilted on its axis, causing the day and night cycle.

• Antarctica has two seasons because Earth is farther away from the Sun in winter and closer to the Sun in summer.

• Antarctica has two seasons because the climate is extremely cold, causing an increase of snowfall that doubles the size of the continent during the winter.

• Antarctica has two seasons because it is located at the bottom of the Earth, causing it to lean toward the Sun for six months and away from the Sun for six months.

Based on the photograph of supplies and the paragraph about survival in Antarctica, what can the reader infer?

• Supplies are delivered by land, water, and air transportation methods.

• Land delivery is an effective means of providing resources to the residents.

• An airdrop is the most efficient method used to deliver resources.

• Supplies must be left on the ice to preserve the contents.

What is the meaning of the word residents as used in paragraph 5?

• people who study a place

• people who tour a location

• people who live in a location

• people who enjoy a harsh climate

Since Antarctica is tilted away from the Sun during its winter, what happens to the continent?

• It is cold and dark.

• It is icy and bright.

• It is dark and calm.

• It is windy and unstable.

What text feature helps the reader locate key details about Antarctica?

• the captions

• the headings

• the title of the text

• the paragraphs