The Development of Exploration and Scientific Research in Antarctica
Read The Development of Exploration and Scientific Research in Antarctica and check the IELTS Reading answers. The modern scientific age in Antarctica really began with the introduction of aircraft in the 1920s. Aircraft transformed the possibilities of exploring the frozen continent around the Sou…
Passage preview
The modern scientific age in Antarctica really began with the introduction of aircraft in the 1920s. Aircraft transformed the possibilities of exploring the frozen continent around the South Pole, because before that Antarctic travel had been limited to the use of dog-teams pulling sledges. A plane could survey thousands of square kilometres an hour, equivalent to a whole summer's work using previous techniques. However, the first planes in Antarctica, such as the Lockheed Vega and the Ford Trimotor, were unreliable in freezing conditions. This made polar flying particularly hazardous, since there was little chance of rescue if a plane was forced down in a remote region.
Answers with explanations
- 1. TRUE
The passage states that the modern scientific age began in the 1920s with aircraft, and that prior to this, travel was limited to "dog-teams pulling sledges." Because **dog-teams** represent **animals**, the claim that humans relied on animals to **explore** until the 1920s is perfectly supported by the text. Thus, the statement is **TRUE**.
- 2. TRUE
The text mentions that in **1928** Wilkins hoped to **fly across** the continent, but notes that a "further attempt in 1930 was also unsuccessful". The use of the phrase "also unsuccessful" implies that his initial 1928 attempt had **failed**. Therefore, the statement is **TRUE**.
- 3. FALSE
A **new theory** had suggested the **Antarctic Peninsula** was an island. However, the text explicitly states that the **expedition of 1934-37** "proved conclusively" that the peninsula was actually attached to the continent. Since the expedition disproved rather than **confirmed** the new theory, the statement is **FALSE**.
- 3-4: F
3: A **new theory** had suggested the **Antarctic Peninsula** was an island. However, the text explicitly states that the **expedition of 1934-37** "proved conclusively" that the peninsula was actually attached to the continent. Since the expedition disproved rather than **confirmed** the new theory, the statement is **FALSE**.
4: The text mentions both pilots sequentially: **Richard Byrd** flying in 1929 and **Lincoln Ellsworth** flying in 1935. However, there is no information at all indicating that Ellsworth was **influenced** by Byrd's earlier flight. Without this evidence, the statement is **NOT GIVEN**.
- 4. NOT GIVEN
The text mentions both pilots sequentially: **Richard Byrd** flying in 1929 and **Lincoln Ellsworth** flying in 1935. However, there is no information at all indicating that Ellsworth was **influenced** by Byrd's earlier flight. Without this evidence, the statement is **NOT GIVEN**.
- 5. FALSE
While Ellsworth (an American individual) claimed a sector in **1935**, the passage explicitly points out that "the American government did not follow it up." Since the **government of the USA** itself did not actively pursue or validate the claim, the statement is **FALSE**.
- 6. TRUE
The text explicitly states that **after 1940**, the vast majority of **expeditions** have been **funded by** governments. The term "governments" is synonymous with **nations** acting collectively, in contrast to individuals or private funding. Therefore, the statement is **TRUE**.
- 7. ships
The text outlines the infrastructure used by **researchers** (scientists). They occupied a "station at Grytviken" and, "in addition, three research ships were commissioned." To complete the note accurately and grammatically after "several," the plural noun **ships** is required.
- 8. tax
The passage confirms that the **Discovery Investigations** were **funded by** (completely covered by) the proceeds of a charge placed on local whaling businesses (which are **local companies**). This financial charge is identified as a **tax**, which fits the blank perfectly.
- 9. sun
The text explains that the **first two Polar Years** were scheduled to monitor the impact of the lowest level of activity from the sun. Monitoring this impact is synonymous with **researching the effects of** it. Thus, the missing noun is **sun**.
- 10. weather
The passage notes that the IGY made Antarctica a **focus** because of its "important influence on global weather." "Important influence" matches **affects**, and "global" means the **world's**. The correct noun to complete the sentence is **weather**.
- 11. tractors
The text states that **Vivian Fuchs' expedition** traversed (which means **crossed**) Antarctica. They achieved this by "Driving modified tractors." The adjective "modified" serves as a synonym for **special**, pointing directly to the noun **tractors** as the correct answer.
- 12. ice
The measurements taken by **Fuchs' expedition** were used to make estimates about the "volume" (meaning **total amount of**) something that existed across Antarctica. The text specifically identifies this substance as **ice**.
- 13. treaty
The text states that the IGY (which "led directly to" meaning a **result of**) resulted in the signing of a document to "regulate human conduct" (meaning to **control aspects of Antarctica's future**). The specific document established for this purpose was a **treaty**.