Antarctica - Test 3

C1 Advanced · Cross Text Multiple Matching · Cambridge English Advanced 3, Cambridge University Press

You are going to read four extracts from articles in which experts discuss Antarctica. For questions 1–4, choose from the extracts A–D. The experts may be chosen more than once.

Antarctica is a pristine and unspoilt continent. Not only is it unrivalled in its beauty but Antarctic science has revealed much about the impact of human activity on the natural world. For example, the discovery by scientists of the hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica revealed the damage done to the Earth's atmosphere by man-made chemicals. The fact that Antarctica is so vital for such scientific knowledge, to my mind, suggests that it must be left undisturbed in order to allow further scientific research on such critical international issues as climate change, long-range weather forecasting and the operation of marine eco-systems (crucial to sustainable fishing). If mines to exploit its natural resources were to be placed on the continent, these would undoubtedly affect the scientific readings. Only by having Antarctica completely untouched can we guarantee the level of accuracy we now have.

Access to Antarctica should be restricted to those with a serious purpose. To suggest an example, almost 30,000 tourists are expected this year in what is, to my mind, a place of unparalleled charm in the universe. Most of them will be on cruise ships, which call at Antarctica's sites for just a few days. This number is, however, rising rapidly and some visitors are now undertaking adventurous activities such as ski-hiking, scuba-diving, snowboarding and mountaineering. Unchecked, this influx of people is greatly increasing the problems of waste management and their activities are having a negative impact on the coastal environment and its wildlife. Adventure tourists also need to be rescued by the authorities from time to time, diverting resources from science. The more vessels visiting the continent, the greater the chance of catastrophic oil spills or for rogue operators to neglect their environmental responsibilities.

There may come a time when the need for resources calls into question the need for Antarctica to be left alone. However, continuing systematic investigation in Antarctica must, under no circumstances, be allowed to come to an end. Antarctica is a large continent, so it seems possible that mining for its resources could occur on one side of the continent, while the other could be maintained for investigative purposes. The distances between the bases would ensure there would be no adverse effect on either area of work. Furthermore, as the scientists worked, they would be able to notice any abnormalities caused by the exploitation of resources. If any were to come to light, scientists could promote discussions with governments and mining companies in order to address the issues involved. In this way, scientists would ensure that any negative impact on this most enchanting of environments would be kept to a minimum, thus eliminating cause for concern.

The vast continent of Antarctica has been a major focus of scientific exploration for relatively few decades when compared to most areas on Planet Earth. Despite its remoteness, it has always attracted visitors, whether for adventure or leisure purposes. However, let's not lose sight of the fact that it's just one region and there are undoubtedly others which are equally stunning. Antarctica should be for all of humanity, not just for elite scientists who seek to deny others the right to go there while simultaneously demanding huge sums of money for their research projects. If the continent were opened up to tourism, revenues from this could be taxed as a way of offsetting the cost of scientific research. In order to prevent resulting damage to the environment, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators operates a strict code of practice. Therefore, I see no reason why we should be unduly alarmed about adverse effects on the landscape in Antarctica.

Which expert shares an opinion with A on the value of carrying out scientific research in Antarctica?

Which expert has a different opinion to D on restrictions on visitors to Antarctica?

Which expert holds a different view from the other three on the subject of the beauty of Antarctica?

Which expert expresses a similar view to C regarding harm to Antarctica?

Antarctica

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