Social Studies: Arctic and Antarctic: Geography and Climate Worksheet

Question 1

The Arctic is near the North Pole. The Antarctic is near the South Pole. Which region is at the top of most world maps?

Accepted Answer

The Arctic is at the top of most world maps because it is near the North Pole.

Question 2

Circle the word that best completes the sentence: Antarctica is a land continent covered mostly by ice, but the Arctic is mostly an ocean covered by sea ice. Antarctica is mostly land / ocean.

Accepted Answer

Antarctica is mostly land. It is a continent covered by a thick sheet of ice.

Question 3

Write one way the Arctic and Antarctic are alike.

Accepted Answer

The Arctic and Antarctic are alike because both are very cold polar regions with ice and snow.

Question 4

Write one way the Arctic and Antarctic are different.

Accepted Answer

One difference is that the Arctic is mostly ocean with sea ice, while Antarctica is a continent covered by ice.

Question 5

A thermometer in Antarctica shows a very low temperature. What kind of clothing would a scientist need to wear there?

Accepted Answer

A scientist would need to wear very warm clothing, such as a heavy coat, gloves, boots, and a hat.

Question 6

Polar regions get long days in summer and long nights in winter. During winter in the Arctic, would it be light all day or dark for much of the day?

Accepted Answer

During winter in the Arctic, it can be dark for much of the day because polar regions have long winter nights.

Question 7

Look at this list: polar bear, penguin, seal, walrus. Which animal is best known for living in Antarctica?

Accepted Answer

The penguin is best known for living in Antarctica.

Question 8

Look at this list: polar bear, penguin, seal, whale. Which animal is best known for living in the Arctic?

Accepted Answer

The polar bear is best known for living in the Arctic.

Question 9

Why is it hard for many plants to grow in the Arctic and Antarctic?

Accepted Answer

It is hard for many plants to grow there because the climate is very cold and the ground is often frozen or covered with ice and snow.

Question 10

The Arctic has people living in some places around it, including towns and Indigenous communities. Antarctica has no permanent towns. Which region has permanent towns and communities?

Accepted Answer

The Arctic has permanent towns and communities in some places around it.

Question 11

A map key shows white for ice and blue for ocean. If a map of the Arctic has a lot of blue under the ice, what does that tell you?

Accepted Answer

It tells you that much of the Arctic is ocean covered by ice.

Question 12

Complete the comparison: The Arctic is in the north. The Antarctic is in the ____.

Accepted Answer

The Antarctic is in the south because it is near the South Pole.

Social Studies: Arctic and Antarctic: Geography and Climate

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