Question
Antarctica. The name alone conjures a vision of a pristine, icy wilderness
surrounded by silence. For much of human history, this was a fairly accurate portrait of
Antarctica. Now, however, in addition to native inhabitants such as penguins and seals,
scientists from all over the world make their home in the Antarctic. These scientists
conduct research on a range of subjects, including ecosystems, weather patterns, and
the effects of pollution. And surprisingly, increasing numbers of tourists are visiting
Antarctica to mountain climb, camp, or ski. Who governs these activities when so many
nations have a presence on the continent?
Governed by Treaty
2 By the 1940s, seven countries had laid claim to territory in Antarctica. Some of
those territories overlapped, and some countries would not recognize the claims made
by other nations. There was no agreement about who held authority. By the mid-1950s,
however, scientists were eager to use Antarctica as a base for international research.
The research teams who participated in the massive 67-nation scientific project known
as the International Geophysical Year demonstrated how the icy continent could be
shared. Beginning in 1957, they worked together to establish coastal bases and inland
stations in Antarctica. From these bases, they made valuable discoveries about the
atmosphere, oceanography, and many other topics. Their success inspired 12 countries,
including Argentina, Chile, Great Britain, France, and the United States, to create the
Antarctic Treaty in 1959. This was the first document outlining how each nation would
use the continent. The treaty went into effect in 1961.
3 Even though the Antarctic Treaty was negotiated by a dozen countries with differing
interests, the resulting document was simple. It stated that the continent could not be
used for military purposes. The main purpose for being on Antarctica would be to
conduct scientific research. The treaty also stipulated that countries had to provide
advance notice of any Antarctic expeditions. In addition, the signers agreed to meet
periodically to discuss the goals of the treaty. At the time, no one could foresee some of
the changes that would occur over the next 60 years.
Addressing New Issues
4 Since 1959, more countries have joined the agreement, and its objectives have
been expanded. While the initial document focused on research and keeping the peace,
later documents covered the protection of marine life in and around Antarctica.
5 In 1991 another agreement reinforced the original intent of the treaty while adding
that activities such as mining, drilling, and exploration of minerals would be banned
indefinitely. Combined, these additional documents now make up the Antarctic Treaty,
and 54 nations have signed the agreement. But new concerns need to be addressed,
including the increased presence of humans in this once untouched wilderness.
6 In the years since the Antarctic Treaty was signed, activities on the continent have
changed. Science and exploration are still the main pursuits, but advances in
technology have made traveling to the southern continent easier than it once was.
Because of this, tourism in Antarctica has gained in popularity. In the 2018–2019
season, more than 56,000 tourists visited Antarctica.
Texas Education Agency
Student Assessment Division
2024 4
English II
Constructed-Response Scoring Guide
7 At first, most tourism involved sailing along the coast or flying over the land. Cruise
ships sail to Antarctica frequently from November through March. However, tour
operators now offer outings on or near the land, including kayaking, mountain climbing,
and skiing. Some nations hope to profit from expanding such land-based tourism.
Scientists and regulators are evaluating the impact such permanent facilities as visitor
centers, museums, and hotels would have on the environment.
8 In 1991 tour operators formed the International Association of Antarctica Tour
Operators to support responsible travel, but according to Claire Christian of the
Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, “There aren’t a lot of hard rules governing
tourism. It’s mostly voluntary.” The Antarctic Treaty System is now faced with many
questions about how best to regulate tourism.
The Future of Antarctica
9 Tourism is currently managed by the tour operators from various countries who
shepherd the tourists to and from the continent. However, the Antarctic Treaty system
will be monitoring the effects of tourism. Some areas of concern include the potential
introduction of invasive species and damage to the environment caused by ships
dumping waste in the ocean. Scientists also worry that visitors may disturb penguins,
elephant seals, and other native species. Lastly, tourists who become ill or injured have
little access to medical facilities on this remote continent. The parties to the Antarctic
Treaty have begun discussing how to manage tourism, but reaching an agreement will
take time.
10 Whatever Antarctica’s future holds, there will never be another place on Earth quite
like this continent. Nowhere else on the planet have nations agreed to work together to
maintain peace, support scientific research, and protect the environment. While the
presence of humans on the continent is cause for concern, the Antarctic Treaty affirms
that humans are also working together to protect the continent. That sense of purpose
and collaboration is something to celebrate.
Read the article "Antarctica: Governing the Icy Continent." Based on the information in the article, write a response to the following:
Explain what makes the situation in Antarctica unusual.
Write a well-organized informational composition that uses specific evidence from the article to support your answer.
surrounded by silence. For much of human history, this was a fairly accurate portrait of
Antarctica. Now, however, in addition to native inhabitants such as penguins and seals,
scientists from all over the world make their home in the Antarctic. These scientists
conduct research on a range of subjects, including ecosystems, weather patterns, and
the effects of pollution. And surprisingly, increasing numbers of tourists are visiting
Antarctica to mountain climb, camp, or ski. Who governs these activities when so many
nations have a presence on the continent?
Governed by Treaty
2 By the 1940s, seven countries had laid claim to territory in Antarctica. Some of
those territories overlapped, and some countries would not recognize the claims made
by other nations. There was no agreement about who held authority. By the mid-1950s,
however, scientists were eager to use Antarctica as a base for international research.
The research teams who participated in the massive 67-nation scientific project known
as the International Geophysical Year demonstrated how the icy continent could be
shared. Beginning in 1957, they worked together to establish coastal bases and inland
stations in Antarctica. From these bases, they made valuable discoveries about the
atmosphere, oceanography, and many other topics. Their success inspired 12 countries,
including Argentina, Chile, Great Britain, France, and the United States, to create the
Antarctic Treaty in 1959. This was the first document outlining how each nation would
use the continent. The treaty went into effect in 1961.
3 Even though the Antarctic Treaty was negotiated by a dozen countries with differing
interests, the resulting document was simple. It stated that the continent could not be
used for military purposes. The main purpose for being on Antarctica would be to
conduct scientific research. The treaty also stipulated that countries had to provide
advance notice of any Antarctic expeditions. In addition, the signers agreed to meet
periodically to discuss the goals of the treaty. At the time, no one could foresee some of
the changes that would occur over the next 60 years.
Addressing New Issues
4 Since 1959, more countries have joined the agreement, and its objectives have
been expanded. While the initial document focused on research and keeping the peace,
later documents covered the protection of marine life in and around Antarctica.
5 In 1991 another agreement reinforced the original intent of the treaty while adding
that activities such as mining, drilling, and exploration of minerals would be banned
indefinitely. Combined, these additional documents now make up the Antarctic Treaty,
and 54 nations have signed the agreement. But new concerns need to be addressed,
including the increased presence of humans in this once untouched wilderness.
6 In the years since the Antarctic Treaty was signed, activities on the continent have
changed. Science and exploration are still the main pursuits, but advances in
technology have made traveling to the southern continent easier than it once was.
Because of this, tourism in Antarctica has gained in popularity. In the 2018–2019
season, more than 56,000 tourists visited Antarctica.
Texas Education Agency
Student Assessment Division
2024 4
English II
Constructed-Response Scoring Guide
7 At first, most tourism involved sailing along the coast or flying over the land. Cruise
ships sail to Antarctica frequently from November through March. However, tour
operators now offer outings on or near the land, including kayaking, mountain climbing,
and skiing. Some nations hope to profit from expanding such land-based tourism.
Scientists and regulators are evaluating the impact such permanent facilities as visitor
centers, museums, and hotels would have on the environment.
8 In 1991 tour operators formed the International Association of Antarctica Tour
Operators to support responsible travel, but according to Claire Christian of the
Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, “There aren’t a lot of hard rules governing
tourism. It’s mostly voluntary.” The Antarctic Treaty System is now faced with many
questions about how best to regulate tourism.
The Future of Antarctica
9 Tourism is currently managed by the tour operators from various countries who
shepherd the tourists to and from the continent. However, the Antarctic Treaty system
will be monitoring the effects of tourism. Some areas of concern include the potential
introduction of invasive species and damage to the environment caused by ships
dumping waste in the ocean. Scientists also worry that visitors may disturb penguins,
elephant seals, and other native species. Lastly, tourists who become ill or injured have
little access to medical facilities on this remote continent. The parties to the Antarctic
Treaty have begun discussing how to manage tourism, but reaching an agreement will
take time.
10 Whatever Antarctica’s future holds, there will never be another place on Earth quite
like this continent. Nowhere else on the planet have nations agreed to work together to
maintain peace, support scientific research, and protect the environment. While the
presence of humans on the continent is cause for concern, the Antarctic Treaty affirms
that humans are also working together to protect the continent. That sense of purpose
and collaboration is something to celebrate.
Read the article "Antarctica: Governing the Icy Continent." Based on the information in the article, write a response to the following:
Explain what makes the situation in Antarctica unusual.
Write a well-organized informational composition that uses specific evidence from the article to support your answer.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The situation in Antarctica is unusual for several reasons, primarily due to its unique governance structure, the collaborative approach to scientific research among nations, and the growing challenges posed by increased human activity, particularly tourism. Unlike any other continent, Antarctica operates under an international treaty system aimed at preserving peace, scientific cooperation, and environmental protection.
First and foremost, the governance of Antarctica is unlike that of any other territory on Earth. The Antarctic Treaty, established in 1959 and effective from 1961, was created as a response to the overlapping territorial claims of seven nations. The treaty effectively set aside these claims, prohibiting military activity, and emphasizing scientific research as the primary purpose for human presence on the continent. The article notes that at the time of the treaty's signing, “no one could foresee some of the changes that would occur over the next 60 years,” indicating that while the treaty sought to address conflicts, it laid the groundwork for unprecedented international collaboration.
The treaty system has evolved to include 54 nations, which not only focus on research but also now consider the impact of human activities on the environment. For instance, in 1991, an agreement was made to ban mining and mineral exploration indefinitely, highlighting the priority placed on conservation. The article states that “while the initial document focused on research and keeping the peace, later documents covered the protection of marine life in and around Antarctica.” This adaptability of the treaty system is another distinctive feature, allowing it to respond to contemporary issues while maintaining its foundational principles.
Moreover, the growth of tourism in recent years adds complexity to the Antarctic situation. While tourism was initially limited to coastlines and aerial views, the increase in accessibility has led to a surge in activities such as kayaking and mountain climbing. The article points out that “more than 56,000 tourists visited Antarctica” during the 2018-2019 season, which brings forth new regulatory challenges. With this influx of visitors, the potential for environmental damage and disturbances to native wildlife, such as penguins and seals, becomes a pressing concern. The article reflects this anxiety by noting that “the Antarctic Treaty system will be monitoring the effects of tourism,” indicating a proactive approach to managing the delicate ecosystem.
Furthermore, the presence of tour operators from various countries adds another layer of complexity to the regulation of tourism, as “there aren’t a lot of hard rules governing tourism. It’s mostly voluntary,” according to Claire Christian of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition. The lack of stringent regulations means that the governance of human activities in Antarctica remains somewhat fluid and requires continued international dialogue and cooperation.
In summary, the situation in Antarctica is unusual due to its unique and cooperative governance framework created by the Antarctic Treaty, its evolution to address new scientific and environmental challenges, and the complexities introduced by rising tourism. This continent stands as a testament to international collaboration—where nations have set aside territorial disputes to focus on protecting a fragile environment while promoting scientific endeavors. The future of Antarctica will depend on the continuous commitment of nations to work together in safeguarding this irreplaceable part of our world.
First and foremost, the governance of Antarctica is unlike that of any other territory on Earth. The Antarctic Treaty, established in 1959 and effective from 1961, was created as a response to the overlapping territorial claims of seven nations. The treaty effectively set aside these claims, prohibiting military activity, and emphasizing scientific research as the primary purpose for human presence on the continent. The article notes that at the time of the treaty's signing, “no one could foresee some of the changes that would occur over the next 60 years,” indicating that while the treaty sought to address conflicts, it laid the groundwork for unprecedented international collaboration.
The treaty system has evolved to include 54 nations, which not only focus on research but also now consider the impact of human activities on the environment. For instance, in 1991, an agreement was made to ban mining and mineral exploration indefinitely, highlighting the priority placed on conservation. The article states that “while the initial document focused on research and keeping the peace, later documents covered the protection of marine life in and around Antarctica.” This adaptability of the treaty system is another distinctive feature, allowing it to respond to contemporary issues while maintaining its foundational principles.
Moreover, the growth of tourism in recent years adds complexity to the Antarctic situation. While tourism was initially limited to coastlines and aerial views, the increase in accessibility has led to a surge in activities such as kayaking and mountain climbing. The article points out that “more than 56,000 tourists visited Antarctica” during the 2018-2019 season, which brings forth new regulatory challenges. With this influx of visitors, the potential for environmental damage and disturbances to native wildlife, such as penguins and seals, becomes a pressing concern. The article reflects this anxiety by noting that “the Antarctic Treaty system will be monitoring the effects of tourism,” indicating a proactive approach to managing the delicate ecosystem.
Furthermore, the presence of tour operators from various countries adds another layer of complexity to the regulation of tourism, as “there aren’t a lot of hard rules governing tourism. It’s mostly voluntary,” according to Claire Christian of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition. The lack of stringent regulations means that the governance of human activities in Antarctica remains somewhat fluid and requires continued international dialogue and cooperation.
In summary, the situation in Antarctica is unusual due to its unique and cooperative governance framework created by the Antarctic Treaty, its evolution to address new scientific and environmental challenges, and the complexities introduced by rising tourism. This continent stands as a testament to international collaboration—where nations have set aside territorial disputes to focus on protecting a fragile environment while promoting scientific endeavors. The future of Antarctica will depend on the continuous commitment of nations to work together in safeguarding this irreplaceable part of our world.