What does the phrase “blank spaces” on the map mean in the context of this passage?

• Places where natural disasters destroyed entire towns.

• A Taylor Swift song. The author loves Taylor Swift.

• Harsh regions where scientists thought no human could live.

• Unexplored places on the globe. We called them "blank" because no maps had drawn them in.

Explorers described the storms as “walls of ice and wind.” What does this figurative language suggest about their experience, and how does it impact the tone?

• Using the word "wall" suggests the ice and wind kept them out. It adds a defeated tone.

• Using the words "ice and wind" suggests the wall they found was man-made. It adds an impressed tone.

• Using the word "wall" suggests the ice and wind were so thick you couldn't see. It adds an adventurous tone.

• Using the words "ice and wind" suggests the land was not habitable to humans. It adds a dangerous tone.

What connotations come with calling the poles a “prize”? How do these connotations shape the way people at the time viewed exploration?

• People wanted to stroke their own ego. Exploration was just a game to win something.

• People thought land could be owned or won. Exploration was a way to claim it.

• People thought being first would win them something. Exploration was just a way to win prizes.

• People wanted to be praised for their work. They didn't take exploration seriously.

The author compares polar exploration to “westward expansion in the United States.” How does this analogy help the reader understand the mindset of early explorers?

• Westward Expansion was about claiming new land, just like the polar exploration.

• Westward Expansion included lots of frontier explorers, just like polar exploration.

• Westward Expansion was about eliminating native americans, just like polar exploration.

• Westward Expansion was about having too many people, just like polar exploration.

Identify one word in the passage that creates a sense of competition or urgency. How does the author’s word choice contribute to the overall tone of the text?