Antarctica Gained Ice in Recent Years

Lesson made on May 5, 2025

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Reading Lesson:

Antarctica is covered by a huge amount of ice called the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Scientists watch this ice closely because when it melts, it makes sea levels rise, which can cause flooding in places around the world. Since 2002, satellites have been helping scientists track how much ice Antarctica is gaining or losing.

For many years, the ice sheet has been losing more and more ice. But recently, something unexpected happened. A new study from scientists in China found that between 2021 and 2023, Antarctica actually gained ice overall — the most since the satellites started measuring it. Scientists think this happened because there was more snowfall in the area than usual, which added more ice.

From 2002 to 2010, Antarctica was losing ice at a certain rate. That rate almost doubled from 2011 to 2020, meaning the ice was melting much faster. But between 2021 and 2023, instead of losing ice, Antarctica started gaining it. That means, for now, it actually helped slow down the rise in sea levels a little.

There are four major glaciers in East Antarctica that shrank the most from 2011 to 2020 because of less snow and more ice breaking off into the ocean. Scientists warn that if these four glaciers ever completely collapse, sea levels could rise by over seven meters!

Even though the recent ice growth is good news for now, scientists say we still need to watch these glaciers carefully. Their future is important for the whole planet.

Comprehension Quiz:

1. What is the main idea of the article?

a) Antarctica is always losing ice.
b) Antarctica gained ice recently.
c) Satellites are the best way to measure ice loss in Antarctica.
d) The four biggest glaciers in Antarctica might collapse soon.

2. Why is Antarctica gaining ice unusual?

a) It usually rains there.
b) It usually gains ice every year.
c) It has mostly been losing ice before.
d) It never had ice before.

3. How was 2011-2020 different from 2002-2010?

a) Ice loss was slower.
b) Antarctica gained ice.
c) Snowfall decreased.
d) Ice loss was faster.

4. Why did Antarctica gain ice from 2021 to 2023?

a) Because there was more snowfall than usual.
b) Because glaciers collapsed.
c) Because the ocean absorbed the ice.
d) Because scientists stopped measuring ice.

5. Which of these statements is false?

a) Antarctica gained more ice from 2021 to 2023 than in previous years.
b) If four major glaciers collapse, sea levels could rise by over seven meters.
c) The rate of ice loss did not change from 2002 to 2020.
d) More snowfall helped Antarctica gain ice recently.

6. Which is the correct order of events?

a) Ice loss doubled → Antarctica gained ice → Ice loss was slow.
b) Antarctica gained ice → Ice loss doubled → Ice loss was slow.
c) Ice loss doubled → Ice loss was slow → Antarctica gained ice.
d) Ice loss was slow → Ice loss doubled → Antarctica gained ice.

7. Why are scientists still concerned even though Antarctica gained ice recently?

a) Because the ice gain was very small and won’t last.
b) Because some glaciers are shrinking and could collapse in the future.
c) Because satellites stopped working in 2023.
d) Because they think snowfall will never happen again.

8. What would most likely happen if the four major glaciers collapsed?

a) Sea levels would rise dramatically.
b) Antarctica would gain more ice.
c) Snowfall would stop completely.
d) Satellites would no longer be needed.

9. If Antarctica keeps losing ice in the future, what is most likely to happen?

a) Sea levels will drop.
b) Coastal cities could flood more often.
c) Snowfall will increase everywhere.
d) Glaciers will grow larger.

10. How did the recent ice gain affect sea levels?

a) It made sea levels rise faster.
b) It had no effect on sea levels.
c) It made sea levels drop suddenly.
d) It helped slow sea level rise a little.

Speaking and Writing Activities:

– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.

– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.

1. Do you think the recent increase in Antarctica’s ice means climate change is not a problem? Why or why not?

2. Have you ever experienced a flood? What was it like?

3. Do you think people can work together to solve big problems like climate change? Why or why not?

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