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Antarctica Frozen Continent Trivia Quiz

Some fascinating facts about a fascinating place.

A multiple-choice quiz by fiachra. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
fiachra

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
251,133

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
3421

Last 3 plays: alythman (5/10), tinabobinak (8/10), sabbaticalfire (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Does the word Antarctica come from Greek?

Yes

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Question 2 of 10

2. In terms of continent size where does Antarctica stand? Hint

Third largest

Fifth largest

Seventh largest

Fourth largest

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is the upper speed limit of a penguin while swimming? Hint

50 km per hour

35 km per hour

65 km per hour

10 km per hour

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which is the only variety of seal which will eat another seal? Hint

Leopard seal

Weddell seal

Ross seal

Antarctic Fur seal

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Question 5 of 10

5. What percentage of Antarctica can sustain any type of plant life? Hint

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Question 6 of 10

6. Scientists estimate that the last rainfall fell on Antarctica two million years ago?

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. What are nunataks? Hint

Glaciers

Rocks

Ice-breakers

Native peoples

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Question 8 of 10

8. What nationality was Charles Wilkes, the first person to prove that Antarctica was a continent and not a group of islands? Hint

English

Scottish

Australian

American

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Question 9 of 10

9. A wind speed of 320km per hour was recorded in Antarctica.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who or what describes Antarctica as a 'natural reserve devoted to peace and science'? Hint

NASA

Antarctic Treaty

World Heritage

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 17 2024 : alythman: 5/10
Dec 05 2024 : tinabobinak: 8/10
Nov 28 2024 : sabbaticalfire: 7/10
Nov 25 2024 : snhha: 10/10
Nov 15 2024 : rahonavis: 7/10
Nov 08 2024 : Catja: 8/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Does the word Antarctica come from Greek?

Answer: Yes

It means opposite the Arctic. 'Arctic comes from the word 'Arktos' meaning the Great Bear constellation: Antarctica means opposite the bear.'

2. In terms of continent size where does Antarctica stand?

Answer: Fifth largest

Antarctica is twice the size of Australia.

3. What is the upper speed limit of a penguin while swimming?

Answer: 35 km per hour

Penguin breastbones act like a keel and their huge muscles enable them to propel themselves at this incredible speed.

4. Which is the only variety of seal which will eat another seal?

Answer: Leopard seal

These sound quite vicious, if you are a penguin devotee like me, as they also eat penguins. They catch penguins by their feet, beat them on the surface of the water to skin them and then tuck into the carcass.

5. What percentage of Antarctica can sustain any type of plant life?

Answer: 2%

There are no trees able to grow in Antarctica. Two flowering plants are the Antarctica hair grass and pearl-wort. Lichens, moss, algae and fungi can be found.

6. Scientists estimate that the last rainfall fell on Antarctica two million years ago?

Answer: False

There can be rain on the Antarctic Peninsula.

7. What are nunataks?

Answer: Rocks

Nunatuks are tall areas of rock isolated from the main mountains by ice sheets. They are studied by geologists to find information about the surrounding area.
By the way there are no native peoples in Antarctica.

8. What nationality was Charles Wilkes, the first person to prove that Antarctica was a continent and not a group of islands?

Answer: American

In 1840 Lieutenant Charles Wilkes led a party of six ships and 433 men, who mapped 2000 miles of coastline. In 1957 a research station was called after him.
NB. Other people had landed on Antarctica before him but did not prove that it was a continent.

9. A wind speed of 320km per hour was recorded in Antarctica.

Answer: True

Gale force winds that roar down from the interior to the coast are called Katabatic winds. That wind speed was recorded in 1972.
Some research stations try to harness the wind for generating electricity, sometimes the wind mills are damaged by the ferocity of the wind.

10. Who or what describes Antarctica as a 'natural reserve devoted to peace and science'?

Answer: Antarctic Treaty

This treaty was originally signed in 1959, and later ratified in 1961. In 2006 44 countries had signed it.
Principle source 'Literacy and Geography Themes' Prim-Ed.
Internet trawl.

Source: Author fiachra

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