Antarctic

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/antarctic

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Where is Antarctic?The polar region surrounding the South Pole, south of 60°S latitude
2. How big is Antarctic?Continent: approximately 14 million square kilometers (5.5 million square miles)
3. What is the capital of Antarctic?No capital city; governed by the Antarctic Treaty System
4. What language do people speak in Antarctic?No official languages; multiple languages used at international research stations
5. Why is Antarctica important for the Earth's climate?Its huge ice sheets reflect sunlight, helping keep the planet cool. The cold waters around Antarctica are part of the global ocean circulation that moves heat and nutrients around the world.
6. How do scientists study Antarctica if no one lives there permanently?Scientists travel there for short periods, set up research stations, and share their findings with the world. They work together under the rules of the Antarctic Treaty System.

Antarctic Convergence: A zone where cold Antarctic waters meet warmer sub-Antarctic waters, influencing marine ecosystems and climate.
Antarctic Treaty System: An international agreement that dedicates Antarctica to peace and scientific research, suspending territorial claims.
Thermohaline Circulation: Global ocean currents driven by differences in temperature and salinity, with Antarctic waters playing a key role.