Write the title ‘Antarctica’ in your book. TASK 1: Below that, write down what you can remember about Antarctica?

This is a British Antarctica Survey base camp. People live here throughout the British winter.

This is what one of the workers had to say: We are well equipped to survive, although we are restricted in what we can do in really bad weather and during the darkness (three months of the year).

We all have insulated and wind-proof clothing for different weather conditions that enable us to travel and work outside. When we have heavy winds it can be difficult and everyone has to be completely covered from head to toe when travelling only a small distance. To get an idea imagine that you are in a gale and that you cannot see further than your arm for all the snow blowing around you. People could easily get lost in this weather so rope lines are run from one building to the next to help in this.

We have to make all our own water daily which involves shovelling snow into a tank, which melts and is purified before we can drink it. We eat dried food, which is a lot different from fresh food. We start the winter with quite a large stock of fresh vegetables and dairy produce but it doesn’t last very long. We do have some dried vegetables and egg but some of this can taste a little musty.

When there is a snowstorm or a blizzard you could not see one building from another. Watching these conditions from the inside of the buildings is great fun, unless you’re trying to sleep because the noise of the wind and the snow is so loud. To get outside you have to dig your way out of the door. As soon as one person has cleared the door the blowing snow will just bury it again.

TASK 2: Imagine you are going to work there for six months. You are not allowed to take any plants and animals with you. What 10 items would you make sure were in your suitcase?

TASK 3: If you worked in the Antarctic, what would you miss most about your home?