Task 4. You are going to read an extract from a book about changing conditions in Antarctica. Answer the questions 21-35 by choosing from the Sections a-g. The sections may be chosen more than once.

A The Antarctic is a landmass the size of Europe and the USA put together that surrounds the South Pole. Over 99 % of the Antarctic is covered in a thick ice cap, in some places as thick as 4,700 m. 40 % of the present ice cap covers water. In addition, the continent doubles in size each winter when the surrounding seawater freezes. If we took the ice cap away, the eastern side of Antarctica would form one solid mass of mountainous land, whilst the western side would be a group of islands.

B The Antarctic has always been good for doing scientific experiments because it is one of the few places in the world which still has a relatively unpolluted environment. Scientists can study the history of the Earth, its seas and the atmosphere. By looking at layers of ice, it’s possible, through levels of lead pollution, the spread of the motor car. But recent changes in the Antarctic ice cap are of even greater interest to scientists.

C In February 1997, the ship Arctic Sunrise, which belongs to Greenpeace, became the first to sail around James Ross Island in the eastern Antarctic. For thousands of years, it’s been impossible to do this because the island was connected to the mainland by a 200-meter thick ice shelf. But in 1995 the ice shelf called Larsen A disintegrated and an iceberg measuring 78km by 37km broke away. Before Larsen A collapsed, it became criss-crossed with deep cracks. Greenpeace observers have noted similar cracking in other areas of ice in the same area, which would seem to indicate that the process is continuing.

D During the past 70 years of global warming, the Antarctic Peninsula has warmed by 2.5°C – faster than anywhere else in the world. Some scientists think this rise is due to the greenhouse effect. That is, too much carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere has the effect of making the whole world too hot. Others say the warming may be localized, which means it is only happening in the Antarctic Peninsula.

E Few land species of wildlife live in Antarctica. Those which do survive there have adapted to very cold conditions. They are most at risk from the changes that is a warmer Antarctic is bringing. The worry now is that the effects could be more widespread. They could cause a worldwide catastrophe. If the Antarctic ice cap melted completely, it would raise the sea level by more than 70 meters. Many areas of land would be flooded, including southern Britain.

F But the news is not all bad. Rising temperatures are beneficial to plants because as ice melts it exposes soil where they can live. Some plant species are now on the increase – their numbers have grown by 25 % in some areas.

G However, warmer temperatures can be unwelcome for the penguins. The warmer weather has made it more difficult for them to bring up young as they nest in high rocks that do not trap snow or water during the yearly ice meltdown. Because of higher temperatures there is heavier snowfall which covers nesting sites longer in the breeding period. Also, as the ice melts, there is less food for the penguins, and this has resulted in a 40 % decline in their number.

Question number	Which section mentions	Your answers
21	something that has never been done before?
22	evidence of further developments?
23	a disagreement amongst experts?
24	possible negative long-term consequences of change?
25	a living thing that was more plentiful previously?
26	a chance to find out about the very distant past?
27	the speed with which change is happening?
28	how parts of Antarctica are different from each other?
29	Antarctica is cleaner than other places?
30	some possible explanations for what is happening?
31	some positive results of the changes?
32	something whish lasts longer as a result of the changes?
33	what can be learnt about the world by studying Antarctica?
34	seasonal variations that affect Antarctica?
35	wildlife that benefits from colder conditions?