Quick Quiz
Question 1
Antarctica is covered with (sand/ice/fertile soil).
Answer
Antarctica is covered with ice.
Question 2
The water body surrounding Antarctica is called the Arctic Ocean. True or False?
Answer
False
Corrected Statement — The water body surrounding Antarctica is called the Antarctic ocean or the Southern ocean.
Question 3
The Norwegian explorer who first reached the South Pole was ............... .
Answer
The Norwegian explorer who first reached the South Pole was Roald Amundsen.
Question 4
What is the name of India’s first manned research station in Antarctica?
Answer
Maitri is the name of India’s first manned research station in Antarctica
Question 5
Name the highest point of Antarctica.
Answer
Vinson Massif is the highest point of Antarctica.
Fill in the blanks
Question 1
Antarctica was discovered in ............... .
Answer
Antarctica was discovered in 1820.
Question 2
The ............... Year marked the beginning of the modern age of Antarctica exploration.
Answer
The International Geophysical (1957-58) Year marked the beginning of the modern age of Antarctica exploration.
Question 3
East Antarctica and West Antarctica are separated by the ............... Mountains.
Answer
East Antarctica and West Antarctica are separated by the transantarctic Mountains.
Question 4
The lowest temperature of the world was recorded in the ............... station.
Answer
The lowest temperature of the world was recorded in the Russian Vostok station.
Question 5
............... and ............... are the vegetation found in Antarctica.
Answer
Mosses and lichens are the vegetation found in Antarctica.
Write True or False
Question 1
Ships reach Antarctica through the Ross ice Shelf.
Answer
True
Question 2
India is a signatory of the Antarctic Treaty.
Answer
True
Question 3
Antarctica experiences summer from May to August.
Answer
False
Corrected Statement — Antarctica experiences summer from November to February.
Question 4
Polar bears are found in Antarctica.
Answer
False
Corrected Statement — Penguins are found in Antarctica.
Question 5
Antarctica provides scope for the scientific study of weather.
Answer
True
Give reasons for the following
Question 1
Antarctica is called the White Continent.
Answer
The entire continent of Antarctica is covered with a vast ice sheet. Due to this thick ice cover, Antarctica is called the White Continent.
Question 2
Antarctica does not have a permanent population.
Answer
Antarctica does not have a permanent population because of:
- Remoteness from the rest of world.
- Ice covering the land surface.
- Severe cold and long months of little or no daylight.
The above factors discourage human settlement on the continent.
Answer these questions
Question 1
What do you know about the location of Antarctica?
Answer
Antarctica is centred roughly around the South pole. It is roughly circular in shape and is surrounded by a continuous water body formed by the southern parts of the pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. This water body is also called the Antarctic Ocean or the Southern Ocean.
Question 2
Write the names of two explorers who explored Antarctica. Write three points laid down in the Antarctic Treaty.
Answer
Roald Amundsen and Robert F Scott were two explorers who explored Antarctica.
Three points laid down in the Antarctic Treaty were:
- The nations should pool their resources and information about Antarctica.
- The continent shall be used only for peaceful purposes.
- The testing of weapons is prohibited.
Question 3
Write a short note on the climate of Antarctica.
Answer
Antarctica is an extremely cold, dry and windy continent. The continental edges experience powerful winds which blow at a speed of about 160 kilometres per hour. These strong cold winds are called blizzards.
The summer in Antarctica is from November to February. During this time the sun never sets. The summer temperature remains below the freezing point.
The winter is from May to August. The sun never rises during these months. As the winter approaches, the sea around Antarctica freezes.
No rainfall occurs in Antarctica as the land surface remains frozen and the air remains dry. However, light snowfall occurs during winter, mainly in the coastal areas.
Question 4
Name four animals and three minerals found in Antarctica.
Answer
Four animals found in Antarctica are:
- Penguins
- Snow petrel
- Albatross
- Seal
Three minerals found in Antarctica are:
- Iron
- Copper
- Uranium
Question 5
Why is Antarctica called the ‘Continent of Science’?
Answer
Antarctica is called the 'Continent of Science' because it provides great scope for the scientific study of the earth's weather.