If you enjoy adventure and exploring new places and things, you have come to the right place. This blog of the reading section of IELTS, South Pole Adventurer reading answers, will discuss a fascinating article about a brave adventurer who undertook an incredible journey to the South Pole.
The reading module of the IELTS exam includes a variety of question types and requires reading techniques to solve them easily. To acquire a better band score, the student must understand question types and answer them accordingly. Complete all the questions and then analyze the Moles happy as homes go underground Reading Answers with an explanation.
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5 Facts about the South Pole
Here are some of the facts about the South Pole:
- Most of the world’s freshwater is found in Antarctica
- The Antarctic Peninsula warms up rapidly compared to other parts of the Earth.
- There are active volcanoes in Antarctica.
- Antarctica is a desert.
- In Antarctica, diamond dust floats in the air.
South Pole Adventurer Reading Passage
Paragraph 1
There was a Japanese team led by heroic explorer Nobu Shirase attempting to be first in a race to the South Pole.
Paragraph 2
In January 1912, Antarctica was filled with explorers for a few weeks. On December 14th Norwegian Roald Amundsen had reached the South Pole and went back to the coast. Robert Scott and the men of the British Antarctic expedition had arrived at the pole on 17 January to find out that they had been beaten to it. A third man then arrived - a Japanese explorer named Nobu Shirase. His part in one of the greatest adventure stories of the twentieth century is not known much outside his own country, even by fellow explorers. Shirase and his team sailed into Antarctica’s Bay of Whales in the smallest ship ever to try its luck in these dangerous waters as Scott was nearing the pole and with the rest of the people not aware of Amundsen’s triumph. Since childhood Shirase had wanted to become a polar explorer. He initially planned to go to the North Pole like Amundsen. But both men quickly changed their plans after the American Robert Peary claimed to have reached it in 1909. Instead they went to the South Pole. In January 1910, Shirase promised to raise the flag at the South Pole within 3 years and put his plans before Japanese government officials. The question for many of them wasn’t whether he could do it but why it would be worth doing? The International Geographical Congress had said 15 years before that Antarctica, the last unknown continent, offered the chance to add to knowledge in almost every branch of science. Like the British, Shirase presented his expedition as a search for knowledge, making meteorological measurements and exploring unknown parts of the continent; he would bring back fossils.
Paragraph 3
Before Shirase, the British team declared their decision to carry out scientific research in Antarctica.
Paragraph 4
Even though the response from the government was positive, Shirase found it difficult to raise funds. Luckily a few months later, Japan’s former prime minister Shigenobu Kuma came to Shirase’s rescue. Shirase got together just enough money to buy and equip a small ship with Kuma's help. Later he eventually got a scientist named Terutaro Takeda. His ship the Kainan Maru finally left Tokyo at the end of November 1910 with 27 men and 28 Siberian dogs on board. Shirase confidently outlined his plans to the media before leaving. First he would sail to New Zealand in a ship, and during the southern summer in February he would go to Antarctica, and then proceed to the South pole during the spring. But bad weather was a hurdle to the expedition and they reached New Zealand only by 8th February. By that time Amundsen and Scott reached Antarctica a month before and were preparing for winter.
Paragraph 5
Local reporters in New Zealand were surprised because his ship was only half the size of Amundsen’s ship. Although the ship was reinforced with extra wood and iron plate, the ship only had a small engine to go through the ice. Local reporters in New Zealand were surprised because his ship was only half the size of Amundsen’s ship. Although the ship was reinforced with extra wood and iron plate, the ship only had a small engine to go through the ice. On the one hand, some are suspicious about the Shirase's courage. And, on the other hand, few considered that preparation for the journey was not good enough as they only had lightweight sledges made of bamboo and wood for transport across the ice.
Paragraph 6
The biggest challenge faced by him was time. Expeditions usually aimed to arrive in January or February as Antarctica is only accessible by sea for a few weeks in summer. ‘Our Japanese friends are running it fine with their determination and daring,’ wrote local reporters.
Paragraph 7
Kainan Maru on February 11th left New Zealand and went straight into the worst weather the captain had ever seen. They approached the coastline of Antarctica’s Ross Sea on March 6, looking for a place to halt. The ice began to surround them, which could trap them for the winter, an experience which no one will survive. The captain, who had a remarkable seamanship, steered north and escaped out of the ice. They would have to wait till the winter is over till the climate becomes warm again.
Paragraph 8
Shirase and 6 men finally reached Antarctica a year later. He had said he would stick to science this time but catching up with Scott or Amundsen was out of the question. As he had always dreamed, Shirase still felt the pull of the pole and decided he would head southward to experience the thrills and hardships of polar exploration. With 4 men and provisions for 20 days he would see how far they could get.
Paragraph 9
On 20 January 1912 Shirase set off with Takeda and 2 dog handlers, leaving 2 men at the edge of the ice shelf to make meteorological measurements. For a week they struggled through repeated blizzards, hiding in their tents during the worst of the weather. The temperature went to -25°C, and frostbite claimed the lives of some dogs. Shirase estimated there were enough provisions on 26th January to continue for 2 more days. 2 days later, he announced it was time to turn back. Takeda calculated they had reached 80°5 south and had travelled 250 km. They hoisted the Japanese flag.
Paragraph 10
All the men returned home on 3rd February. In June 1912 when the ship reached Tokyo Shirase was praised like a hero although he never reached the pole. Also he couldn't contribute anything to science. Nor did Amundsen, whose only interest was to reach the pole first. But the expedition of Shirase was heroic. Only one of 4 teams have gone so far south beyond 80° south, at the time. Also they did all this without the advantages the other teams had and without any previous experience.
Suggested: Opinion Essay IELTS – Step By Step Guide
South Pole Adventurer Reading questions
South Pole Adventurer Reading Questions 1-5
Answer the questions below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
1. When did Norwegian Roald Amundsen reach the South Pole?
2. What did Shirase want to be since childhood?.
3. How many dogs were there on the ship the Kainan Maru when leaving Tokyo?
4. What was the biggest challenge faced by Shirase?
5. When did Kainan Maru leave New Zealand?
South Pole Adventurer Reading Questions 6-10
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/ OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.
- Shirase initially planned to go to the North Pole like 6__________.
- Shirase presented his expedition as a search for 7________
- Shirase confidently outlined his plans to the 8______ before leaving.
- All the men returned home on 9_______.
- Only one of 4 teams have gone so far south beyond 10________, at the time.
South Pole Adventurer Reading Questions 11-14
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
Write
YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
NO, if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
11. Antarctica is only accessible by sea for a few weeks in summer.
12. Shirase defeated Amundsen in reaching the South Pole.
13. Shirase and 6 men finally reached Antarctica two years later.
14. Shirase was praised like a hero although he never reached the pole.
South Pole Adventurer Reading Answers with Explanations
We have given below the South Pole Adventurer Reading Answers with explanations for your reference.
(Note: The text in italics is from the reading passage and shows the location from where the answer is taken or inferred. The text in the regular font explains the answer in detail.)
South Pole Adventurer Reading Answers 1-5
1. December 14th
Explanation: On December 14th Norwegian Roald Amundsen had reached the South Pole and went back to the coast.
2. Polar explorer
Explanation: Since childhood Shirase had wanted to become a polar explorer.
3. 28
Explanation: His ship the Kainan Maru finally left Tokyo at the end of November 1910 with 27 men and 28 Siberian dogs on board.
4. Time
Explanation: The biggest challenge faced by him was time.
5. February 11th
Explanation: Kainan Maru on February 11th left New Zealand and went straight into the worst weather the captain had ever seen.
South Pole Adventurer Reading Answers 6-10
6. Amundsen
Explanation: He initially planned to go to the North Pole like Amundsen.
7. Knowledge
Explanation: Shirase presented his expedition as a search for knowledge.
8. Media
Explanation: Shirase confidently outlined his plans to the media before leaving.
9. 3rd February
Explanation: All the men returned home on 3rd February.
10. 80°
Explanation: Only one of 4 teams have gone so far south beyond 80°, at the time.
South Pole Adventurer Reading Answers 11-14
11. Yes
Explanation: The biggest challenge faced by him was time. Expeditions usually aimed to arrive in January or February as Antarctica is only accessible by sea for a few weeks in summer.
12. No
Explanation: He had said he would stick to science this time but catching up with Scott or Amundsen was out of the question.
13. No
Explanation: Shirase and 6 men finally reached Antarctica a year later.
14. Yes
Explanation: In June 1912 when the ship reached Tokyo Shirase was praised like a hero although he never reached the pole.
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Conclusion
To summarize, mastering the IELTS Reading test involves a combination of successful tactics, persistent practice, and confidence. You may quickly and accurately explore the chapters by establishing strong skimming and scanning methods, growing your vocabulary, and becoming familiar with various questions. Identify and manage your time effectively, remain calm under pressure, and systematically address each question. Yocket's extensive study materials and professional assistance may provide additional support and tools to help you succeed in your IELTS. With effort and the correct resources, you may confidently take the IELTS Reading exam and attain your goal score. Visit Yocket today and take your IELTS preparation to the next level.
