South Pole Adventurer Reading Answers 2024: Sample Answers

If you have a passion for adventure and a thirst for exploring new places, you’ll really enjoy this reading passage!

In this blog, we’ll delve into the reading section of the IELTS exam, specifically focusing on the captivating passage called “South Pole Adventurer.” This piece tells the story of a courageous explorer who embarked on an extraordinary journey to the South Pole.

Let’s take a closer look at the narrative, examining the challenges faced, the triumphs achieved, and the valuable lessons learned.

Find the passage, questions and answers for this commonly asked Reading passage below! Good luck with your preparation!

South Pole Adventurer Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 – 14 based on the Reading Passage below. 

                                                     South Pole Adventurer

1. There was a Japanese team led by heroic explorer Nobu Shirase attempting to be first in a race to the South Pole.

2. In January 1912, Antarctica was filled with explorers for a few weeks. On December 14th Norwegian Roald Amundsen had reached the South Pole and went back to the coast. Robert Scott and the men of the British Antarctic expedition had arrived at the pole on 17 January to find out that they had been beaten to it. A third man then arrived – a Japanese explorer named Nobu Shirase. His part in one of the greatest adventure stories of the twentieth century is not known much outside his own country, even by fellow explorers. Shirase and his team sailed into Antarctica’s Bay of Whales in the smallest ship ever to try its luck in these dangerous waters as Scott was nearing the pole and with the rest of the people not aware of Amundsen’s triumph. Since childhood Shirase had wanted to become a polar explorer. He initially planned to go to the North Pole like Amundsen. But both men quickly changed their plans after the American Robert Peary claimed to have reached it in 1909. Instead they went to the South Pole. In January 1910, Shirase promised to raise the flag at the South Pole within 3 years and put his plans before Japanese government officials. The question for many of them wasn’t whether he could do it but why it would be worth doing? The International Geographical Congress had said 15 years before that Antarctica, the last unknown continent, offered the chance to add to knowledge in almost every branch of science. Like the British, Shirase presented his expedition as a search for knowledge, making meteorological measurements and exploring unknown parts of the continent; he would bring back fossils. 

3. Before Shirase, the British team declared their decision to carry out scientific research in Antarctica. 

4. Even though the response from the government was positive, Shirase found it difficult to raise funds. Luckily a few months later, Japan’s former prime minister Shigenobu Kuma came to Shirase’s rescue. Shirase got together just enough money to buy and equip a small ship with Kuma’s help. Later he eventually got a scientist named Terutaro Takeda. His ship the Kainan Maru finally left Tokyo at the end of November 1910 with 27 men and 28 Siberian dogs on board. Shirase confidently outlined his plans to the media before leaving. First he would sail to New Zealand in a ship, and during the southern summer in February he would go to Antarctica, and then proceed to the South pole during the spring. But bad weather was a hurdle to the expedition and they reached New Zealand only by 8th February. By that time Amundsen and Scott reached Antarctica a month before and were preparing for winter.

Local reporters in New Zealand were surprised because his ship was only half the size of Amundsen’s ship. Although the ship was reinforced with extra wood and iron plate, the ship only had a small engine to go through the ice. Local reporters in New Zealand were surprised because his ship was only half the size of Amundsen’s ship. Although the ship was reinforced with extra wood and iron plate, the ship only had a small engine to go through the ice. On the one hand, some are suspicious about the Shirase’s courage. And, on the other hand, few considered that preparation for the journey was not good enough as they only had lightweight sledges made of bamboo and wood for transport across the ice. 

5. The biggest challenge faced by him was time. Expeditions usually aimed to arrive in January or February as Antarctica is only accessible by sea for a few weeks in summer. ‘Our Japanese friends are running it fine with their determination and daring,’ wrote local reporters.

6. Kainan Maru on February 11th left New Zealand and went straight into the worst weather the captain had ever seen. They approached the coastline of Antarctica’s Ross Sea on March 6, looking for a place to halt. The ice began to surround them, which could trap them for the winter, an experience which no one will survive. The captain, who had a remarkable seamanship, steered north and escaped out of the ice. They would have to wait till the winter is over till the climate becomes warm again. 

7. Shirase and 6 men finally reached Antarctica a year later. He had said he would stick to science this time but catching up with Scott or Amundsen was out of the question. As he had always dreamed, Shirase still felt the pull of the pole and decided he would head southward to experience the thrills and hardships of polar exploration. With 4 men and provisions for 20 days he would see how far they could get.

8. On 20 January 1912 Shirase set off with Takeda and 2 dog handlers, leaving 2 men at the edge of the ice shelf to make meteorological measurements. For a week they struggled through repeated blizzards, hiding in their tents during the worst of the weather. The temperature went to -25°C, and frostbite claimed the lives of some dogs. Shirase estimated there were enough provisions on 26th January to continue for 2 more days. 2 days later, he announced it was time to turn back. Takeda calculated they had reached 80°5 south and had travelled 250 km. They hoisted the Japanese flag.

9. All the men returned home on 3rd February. In June 1912 when the ship reached Tokyo Shirase was praised like a hero although he never reached the pole. Also he couldn’t contribute anything to science. Nor did Amundsen, whose only interest was to reach the pole first. But the expedition of Shirase was heroic. Only one of 4 teams have gone so far south beyond 80° south, at the time. Also they did all this without the advantages the other teams had and without any previous experience. 

South Pole Adventurer Reading Q & A

Please read the passage carefully and answer the following questions. We’ve included answers below to help you out. Give it your best shot!

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South Pole Adventurer Reading Questions (1-5)

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

1. When did Norwegian Roald Amundsen reach the South Pole? 

2. What did Shirase want to be since childhood?

3. How many dogs were there on the ship the Kainan Maru when leaving Tokyo? 

4. What was the biggest challenge faced by Shirase?

5. When did Kainan Maru leave New Zealand?

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South Pole Adventurer Reading Answers with Explanations (1-5)

Type of question: Matching Information

For each question, you need to locate specific details in the passage and provide answers that are no more than three words.

How to answer:

• Skim the passage for an overview.
• Identify keywords to find relevant sections.
• Read carefully to extract contextually fitting answers.
• Use exact words from the passage.
• Keep answers within the three-word limit.
• Be precise and avoid irrelevant details.

1. 14th December

Reference:

From paragraph 2, ‘On December 14th Norwegian Roald Amundsen had reached the South Pole and went back to the coast.’

Explanation: As clearly stated in the above line, Norwegian Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole on 14th December.

2. Polar explorer

Reference:

From paragraph 2, ‘Since childhood Shirase had wanted to become a polar explorer. He initially planned to go to the North Pole like Amundsen.’

Explanation: According to the paragraph, Shirase wanted to become a polar explorer since childhood.

3. 28

Reference:

From paragraph 4, ‘His ship the Kainan Maru finally left Tokyo at the end of November 1910 with 27 men and 28 Siberian dogs on board.’

Explanation: According to the line above, it is clear that on the Kainan Maru ship, there were 28 Siberian dogs when it left Tokyo.

4. Time

Reference:

From paragraph 5, ‘The biggest challenge faced by him was time. Expeditions usually aimed to arrive in January or February as Antarctica is only accessible by sea for a few weeks in summer.’

Explanation: As per the statement given above, the biggest challenge faced by Shirase was time.

5. 11th February

Reference:

From paragraph 6, ‘Kainan Maru on February 11th left New Zealand and went straight into the worst weather the captain had ever seen.’

Explanation: As stated in the statement above, Kainan Maru left New Zealand on 11th February and that too in the worst weather ever seen by the captain.

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South Pole Adventurer Reading Questions (6-10)

Complete the notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS/ OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.

6. Shirase initially planned to go to the North Pole like 6__________.

7. Shirase presented his expedition as a search for 7________

8. Shirase confidently outlined his plans to the 8______ before leaving.

9. All the men returned home on 9_______. 

10. Only one of 4 teams have gone so far south beyond 10________, at the time.

South Pole Adventurer Answers with explanations (6-10)

Type of question: Note Completion

Note completion is a type of IELTS Reading question where you fill in missing information in notes or summary statements based on the details provided in a passage. You need to find and use specific information from the passage to complete the notes accurately.

How to Answer:

• Skim the notes and passage for context.
• Identify keywords and main ideas in the notes.
• Locate relevant sections in the passage.
• Read carefully to find the exact information needed.
• Use words directly from the passage.
• Ensure answers fit within the given word limit.
• Be precise and avoid adding extra information.

6.   Amundsen

Reference:

From paragraph 2, ‘Since childhood Shirase had wanted to become a polar explorer. He initially planned to go to the North Pole like Amundsen.’

Explanation: As per the statement given above, in his childhood Shirase wanted to go and explore polar just like Amundsen.

7.  Knowledge

Reference:

From paragraph 2, ‘Like the British, Shirase presented his expedition as a search for knowledge, making meteorological measurements and exploring unknown parts of the continent; he would bring back fossils.’

Explanation: As given in the paragraph, Shirase’s expedition was his search for knowledge and to explore the unknown parts of Antarctica.

8. Media

Reference:

From paragraph 4, ‘ Shirase confidently outlined his plans to the media before leaving. First, he would sail to New Zealand in a ship, and during the southern summer in February, he would go to Antarctica and then proceed to the South Pole during the spring.’

Explanation: According to the statement given above, Shirase revealed his plans to the media before leaving for his trip to the South Pole.

9. 3rd February

Reference:

From paragraph 9, ‘All the men returned home on 3rd February. In June 1912, when the ship reached Tokyo, Shirase was praised as a hero, although he never reached the pole.’

Explanation: The above paragraph states that all the men who went to the South Pole, along with Shirase, returned to Tokyo on 3rd February. 

10. 80 degree

Reference:

From paragraph 9, ‘Only one of 4 teams have gone so far south beyond 80° south, at the time.’

Explanation: As per the above statement, there wer four teams that went to the Sout Pole and out of them on 1 team went 80 degrees beyond south. 

South Pole Adventurer Questions (11-14)

Do the following statements agree with the information in Reading Passage?

In boxes 11-14 on your answer sheet, write

11.  Antarctica is only accessible by sea for a few weeks in summer. 

12. Shirase defeated Amundsen in reaching the South Pole.

13. Shirase and 6 men finally reached Antarctica two years later.

14. Shirase was praised like a hero although he never reached the pole. 

South Pole Adventurer Answers with explanations (11-14)

Type of Question: True/False/Not Given

The ‘True, False, Not Given’ type of questions in IELTS Reading require you to determine whether statements are true, false, or if there is insufficient information in the passage to determine their accuracy.

How to Answer:

• Skim the passage for an overview: Get a general understanding of the text.
• Identify keywords to find relevant sections: Focus on key terms related to the statements.
• Read carefully to determine the accuracy of statements: Verify whether each statement is true or false.
• Use exact words from the passage: Match the statements with information directly from the text.
• Check the word limit: Ensure any clarification fits the requirements.
• Be precise and avoid irrelevant details: Focus solely on whether the statements are true or false.

11. YES

Reference:

From paragraph 5, ‘Expeditions usually aimed to arrive in January or February as Antarctica is only accessible by sea for a few weeks in summer.’

Explanation: According to the statement, the answer is Yes because it is true that the sea in Antarctica is only accessible for a few weeks in summer.

12. NO

Reference:

From paragraph 1 to 9, ‘There was a Japanese team led by heroic explorer………the advantages the other teams had and without any previous experience.’

Explanation: According to the passage, there is no information on Shirase defeating Amundsen in reaching the South Pole, but instead Shirase could never make it to the South Pole. Hence, the answer is No.

13. NO

Reference:

From paragraph 7, ‘Shirase and 6 men finally reached Antarctica a year later. He had said he would stick to science this time, but catching up with Scott or Amundsen was out of the question.’

Explanation: According to the paragraph, Shirase and 6 men reached Antarctica one year later and not two. Hence, the answer that they reached after two years is a No.

14. YES

Reference:

From paragraph 9, ‘In June 1912 when the ship reached Tokyo Shirase was praised like a hero although he never reached the pole.’

Explanation: The answer is Yes because it is true that Shirase was praised and applauded even though he never reached the pole, yet he was praised for his effort and zeal to go to the South Pole. 

Summing Up

The South Pole has been both a symbol of challenge and an epitome of humanity’s achievement from the earliest expeditions challenging human endurance to today’s quest that combines cutting edge technology with unshakeable determination.

We have come to admire the human spirit and the discovery in one of Earth’s most extreme environments as we conclude our exploration of the South Pole adventurers. 

To improve your reading skills and comprehension of the reading section of IELTS, the passage on South Pole Adventurer reading answers can help you understand and score well in IELTS. 

For more guidance, you can contact our Leap IELTS Expert Team.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)