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Amazing Antarctica Trivia Quiz

Antarctica is a unique, beautiful place. However, not many people know much about it. I want to try and make Antarctica known to many people so take this quiz.

A multiple-choice quiz by regandavey. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
regandavey

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
342,591

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
421

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is so unique about Antarctica? Hint

Lowest, wettest, calmest, emptiest, coldest place

Lowest, driest (on average), calmest, emptiest, coldest place

Highest, wettest, windiest, most occupied, coldest place

Highest, driest (on average), windiest, emptiest, coldest place

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Question 2 of 10

2. Ten per cent of the Earth is covered by Antarctica (including ice sheets). This makes it the ___________ largest continent. Hint

Seventh largest

Fifth largest

Third largest

The largest

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Question 3 of 10

3. The first confirmed landing in Antarctica occurred in 1895 led by Henryk Johan Bull. What nationality was he? Hint

Spanish

Czech

Argentinian

Norwegian

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Question 4 of 10

4. What percentage of Antarctica is ice-free? Hint

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Question 5 of 10

5. There are 81 bases in Antarctica. Which of the following countries does NOT have a research station there? Hint

Canada

United States

Australia

Chile

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Question 6 of 10

6. Antarctica has no plant life as it's too cold and dark to support flora.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the average approximate population of researchers and scientists in Antarctica on a summer? Hint

2700

1800

4000

3400

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Question 8 of 10

8. Ross Shelf is the largest ice shelf in Antarctica and the world. It is around the same size as which country? Hint

France

Australia

New Zealand

Brazil

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is the main food source for penguins and numerous other animals in Antarctica? Hint

Seal

Krill

Plankton

Birds

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Question 10 of 10

10. Many creatures are now endangered and vulnerable. What is the reason for this? Hint

Cannot cope with the wind pressure

Being eaten by seals and whales

Pollution and human impacts

The extremely cold temperatures

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is so unique about Antarctica?

Answer: Highest, driest (on average), windiest, emptiest, coldest place

Mt Vinson Massif is the highest place in Antarctica, reaching 4892m above sea level. The average wind speed is 67kph and it is the emptiest place. Only some parts of Antarctica are drier than the Atacama Desert; it is the driest place on average. The coldest temperature ever recorded is -89.6 degrees Celsius at the Vostok Scientific Station on the 21st of July 1983.

2. Ten per cent of the Earth is covered by Antarctica (including ice sheets). This makes it the ___________ largest continent.

Answer: Fifth largest

Antarctica covers 14 million square kilometers, the fifth largest continent. Also 70% of the world's fresh water is supplied from there, and 90% of the earth's ice is in Antarctica.

3. The first confirmed landing in Antarctica occurred in 1895 led by Henryk Johan Bull. What nationality was he?

Answer: Norwegian

His aim was to find whaling grounds in the Ross Sea. Their expedition failed, however a Norwegian sailor (Carsten Egeberg Borchgrevink) discovered lichens on Antarctica, proving that there was vegetation. Also seaweed, jellyfish, seals, penguins and rock specimens were also collected.

Sourced at www.library.thinkquest.org

4. What percentage of Antarctica is ice-free?

Answer: 2%

Two hundred and eighty thousand square kilometers of Antarctica are ice-free.

5. There are 81 bases in Antarctica. Which of the following countries does NOT have a research station there?

Answer: Canada

Countries with multiple stations are Argentina, Australia, Chile, China, France, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom and United States.

6. Antarctica has no plant life as it's too cold and dark to support flora.

Answer: False

Few plants can survive Antarctica's deadly, harsh conditions. It's dark for long stretches of the year and most of the continent is permanently covered in ice and/or snow. There are about 100 species of moss that live in Antarctica along with 25 or so liverworts. Lichens (organisms made up of algae and fungi) and fungi also live in Antarctica.

7. What is the average approximate population of researchers and scientists in Antarctica on a summer?

Answer: 4000

In the winter that number drops to 1000. Imagine experimenting in an area -50 degrees Celsius!

8. Ross Shelf is the largest ice shelf in Antarctica and the world. It is around the same size as which country?

Answer: France

Ross Ice Shelf measures roughly 487,000 square kilometers. It was discovered by Captain Sir James Clark Ross on the 28 January, 1841 (and was named after him). Most of the shelf is claimed by New Zealand.

9. What is the main food source for penguins and numerous other animals in Antarctica?

Answer: Krill

Krill is a shrimp-like crustacean that can have swarms of up to 60,000 members. Over half of them are eaten by whales, seals, penguins, squid and many other fish.

10. Many creatures are now endangered and vulnerable. What is the reason for this?

Answer: Pollution and human impacts

Most of these creatures are birds who fly down to eat and come upon pollution. Antarctic nations must keep their stations free of any rubbish. Also, at least another 26 other types of creatures are considered vulnerable or becoming endangered.

Source: Author regandavey

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Exit10 before going online.
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