TOEFL READING COMPREHENSION: XIV

 

BRITISH ACCENT MP3 OF THIS ARTICLE: EXTREME CLIMATIC REGIONS 

The Earth is a diverse planet, with a wide variety of climatic regions. Some of these regions are quite strange, with unique weather patterns and ecosystems.

One example of a strange climatic region is the Atacama Desert in Chile. The Atacama is the driest desert in the world, with some areas receiving no rainfall for centuries. The lack of rain has created a unique ecosystem, with many plants and animals that are adapted to living in dry conditions.

Another example of a strange climatic region is the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica. The McMurdo Dry Valleys are the coldest, driest, and windiest place on Earth. The average temperature in the McMurdo Dry Valleys is -20 degrees Celsius, and the average annual rainfall is less than 2 centimeters. The harsh climate has created a unique ecosystem, with many plants and animals that are adapted to living in extreme cold and dryness.

Questions:

1. What is the main topic of the passage?

2. What are two examples of strange climatic regions mentioned in the passage?

3. What are some of the challenges that plants and animals face in the Atacama Desert?

4. Why are the McMurdo Dry Valleys so cold and dry?

5. What is the unique ecosystem that has developed in the McMurdo Dry Valleys?

Answers:

1. The main topic of the passage is strange climatic regions on Earth.

2. The two examples of strange climatic regions mentioned in the passage are the Atacama Desert and the McMurdo Dry Valleys.

3. Some of the challenges that plants and animals face in the Atacama Desert include the lack of water, the high temperatures, and the strong winds.

4. The McMurdo Dry Valleys are so cold and dry because they are located in Antarctica, which is the coldest continent on Earth. The valleys are also sheltered from the moderating influence of the ocean, which makes them even colder.

5. The unique ecosystem that has developed in the McMurdo Dry Valleys is one that is adapted to extreme cold and dryness. Many of the plants and animals in the McMurdo Dry Valleys are dormant for most of the year, and they only come alive during the brief periods of time when the conditions are favorable.