Antarctica is in the most southern part of the world. It is like nowhere else on the earth. It is much larger than Europe, and nearly twice the size of Australia. Antarctica is the coldest and windiest place in the world, even colder and windier than the North Pole. In summer, the sun shines for twenty-four hours a day, but in winter it’s completely dark for about three months. Very few plants grow there, but there is some wildlife, including whales, seals and penguins.
When Captain James Cook traveled around Antarctica in the 1770s by ship, he found no one living there. Today, a few scientists work in Antarctica, but they only spend a short time there.
Many scientists are studying the ozone layer, which is getting thinner and thinner worldwide. The biggest “hole” is above Antarctica, and weather there is getting warmer. Scientists think that this cold and lonely place can teach us a lot about the earth and how to keep the earth safe.
小题1:When did Captain James Cook travel around Antarctica?
A．In the 1670s.
B．In the 1760s.
C．In the 1770s.
D．In the 1780s.小题2:The underlined part “ozone layer” means “________” in Chinese.
A．冻土层
B．大气层
C．臭氧层
D．高压层小题3:How many kinds of animals are mentioned in the passage?
A．Two.
B．Three.
C．Four.
D．Five.小题4:Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A．Antarctica is much bigger than Australia in size.
B．Scientists spend a long time in Antarctica.
C．There is no plant growing in Antarctica.
D．In winter, it’s dark for about 70 days in Antarctica.小题5:Why is the weather in Antarctica getting warmer and warmer?
A．Because there are more and more people living there.
B．Because the ozone layer is being destroyed.
C．Because the sun shines a long time every day there.
D．Because the weather in other places is getting warmer.
