You’ve decided that for your next holiday, you want to go somewhere extreme, preferably to a place none of your friends has visited. With that criterion in mind , you start thinking of the most remote spots in the world. After careful consideration , you decide that the North Pole and the South Pole both “ fit the bill ”. After all, it’s hard to get up close and personal with polar bears in the Arctic and penguins in Antarctica. However, you’re not sure about the extreme climate, so you decide to pick the warmer of the two. But which one is that?
A quick glance at the average temperatures of the two poles provides a clear answer. The North Pole is warmer than the South Pole. The average summertime temperature of the Arctic is a quite manageable 0ºC, while the summer temperature in Antarctica is a rather bitter -28ºC. Meanwhile, the mean winter temperatures in the North and South Pole are -40ºC and -76ºC, respectively. What accounts for the difference?
It comes down to the specifics of each region. The Arctic is mainly ocean with a little bit of land and quite a bit of ice. The abundance of ocean water—the water temperature being near or above freezing —helps keep the air temperature relatively warm. Meanwhile, Antarctica is mountainous land and is covered in a thick ice sheet. This creates a barrier between the air and the warmer water. Strong winds and low precipitation add to the cold. Furthermore, the blinding white snow reflects the sunlight and any warmth it would offer. Now you know which place you should go for your next holiday. Remember to find someone to go with you and show them this useful information.
1. What does “fit the bill” most likely mean in the first paragraph?
(A) Are worth the expense.
(B) Match certain specifications .
(C) Require the same supplies.
(D) Are available as tour packages.
2. What is the key factor that makes the Arctic warmer than the Antarctic?
(A) The geological features.
(B) The polar bear population.
(C) The location on the Earth.
(D) The duration of the sunshine.
3. According to the passage, which of the following comparisons is NOT true?
