The importance of icebergs to ocean life
Read The importance of icebergs to ocean life and check the IELTS Reading answers. The word iceberg refers to pieces of ice larger than five meters across. The waters surrounding Antarctica are home to most of the icebergs on Earth, although they can also be found in the Arctic region. The water su…
Passage preview
The word iceberg refers to pieces of ice larger than five meters across. The waters surrounding Antarctica are home to most of the icebergs on Earth, although they can also be found in the Arctic region. The water surrounding icebergs teems with life including a range of fish and, consequently, the seals which prey on them. Seabirds such as gulls, fulmars and other birds often visit as well. Some fishermen in Arctic regions claim that the fishing is often best in the immediate vicinity of icebergs. Recent research is beginning to shed light on what it is about icebergs that is attractive to wildlife.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- accumulate verb
To gather together or acquire an increasing number or quantity of something over time
Toxins can accumulate in the liver if the body is unable to process them efficiently.
- benthic adjective
Relating to the flora and fauna found on the bottom, or in the bottom sediments, of a sea or lake
Benthic organisms play a vital role in nutrient cycling within the ocean ecosystem.
- biomass noun
The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume
The rainforest contains a significantly higher biomass than the arid desert regions.
- disintegrate verb
To break up into small parts, typically as the result of impact, decay, or loss of cohesion
The satellite began to disintegrate as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.
- disperse verb
To distribute, spread, or scatter over a wide area
Seeds rely on wind and animals to disperse them away from the parent plant.
- estuary noun
The tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream and fresh water mixes with salt water
The estuary provides a critical habitat for migratory birds and juvenile fish.
- excavate verb
To make a hole or channel by digging; to remove earth carefully to find buried remains
Archaeologists plan to excavate the site to uncover the ancient foundations.
- nourish verb
To provide with the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition
A balanced diet is essential to nourish a developing brain.
- terrestrial adjective
Relating to the earth or land; distinct from marine or aerial environments
The study compared terrestrial mammals with those adapted to aquatic life.
- vicinity noun
The area near or surrounding a particular place; the state of being near
The construction noise was audible to everyone residing in the immediate vicinity of the site.
Answers with explanations
- 14. C
The question asks for **examples of equipment**. Paragraph C lists **oceanographic instruments**, **fishing nets**, and **video cameras** used during the expedition. Answer: C.
- 15. E
The question asks for a **description of the volume of water**. Paragraph E describes an iceberg containing enough **fresh water** to supply the **entire US for five years**, providing a descriptive volume. Answer: E.
- 16. I
The question asks for causes of **instability**. Paragraph I explains that **pressures** from **melting and re-freezing** lead to the iceberg's **destruction** (instability/collapse). Answer: I.
- 17. D
The question asks for the **origins of the contents**. Paragraph D explains that the materials (**dust, rocks**) were incorporated **millions of years ago** when the ice was part of **glaciers** on land. Answer: D.
- 18. A
The question asks for a **definition**. Paragraph A explicitly defines the word **iceberg** as **pieces of ice larger than five meters across**. Answer: A.
- 19. F
The question asks for a reference to **temperature**. Paragraph F mentions the water was **several degrees below freezing**. Answer: F.
- 20. law
The question asks for true statements about Ken Smith's findings. Option A states he **likened iceberg melt to river estuaries**. The text explicitly states, "These icebergs can be **compared to river estuaries**," confirming this comparison. Answer: A.
- 20-21: AD
20: The question asks for true statements about Ken Smith's findings. Option A states he **likened iceberg melt to river estuaries**. The text explicitly states, "These icebergs can be **compared to river estuaries**," confirming this comparison. Answer: A.
21: Option D states Smith **connected iceberg contents with surrounding marine life**. The text supports this by explaining that the terrestrial materials ("contents") act as **ocean fertilizer** to nourish **marine organisms** (plankton), linking the iceberg's composition to the ecosystem. Answer: D.
- 21. course
Option D states Smith **connected iceberg contents with surrounding marine life**. The text supports this by explaining that the terrestrial materials ("contents") act as **ocean fertilizer** to nourish **marine organisms** (plankton), linking the iceberg's composition to the ecosystem. Answer: D.
- 22. jellyfish
The summary mentions "krill and [22]". The text states the team recorded higher concentrations of **jellyfish** and **krill**. The word "jellyfish" completes the pair of marine life found in the vicinity. Answer: jellyfish.
- 23. burrows
The summary refers to "young fish" creating a place to live. The text describes **juvenile ice fish** living in **burrows** in the ice. "Juvenile" is a synonym for "young". Answer: burrows.
- 24. predators
The summary suggests the burrows are a means of "avoiding [24]". The text questions if the fish made the burrows to **hide from predators**. "Hide from" is a synonym for "avoid". Answer: predators.
- 25. cave
The summary describes invertebrates living deep within a "[25]". The text states divers swam into a **cave** inside an iceberg where they found these creatures. Answer: cave.
- 26. currents
The summary contrasts the grounded iceberg with those moved by "ocean [26]". The text explains that most icebergs are pushed by **wind** and **currents**. Since the instruction requires one word and "ocean" precedes the blank, "currents" fits the context of ocean movement (ocean currents). Answer: currents.