KOÇ UNIVERSITY – ELC SPRING 2025

INTERMEDIATE SUPPLEMENTARY READING MATERIAL

DANGERS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

Pre-Reading: Before reading the passage about the Arctic Circle, think about the following questions. Discuss your
ideas with a partner.

1. If you could visit the Arctic tomorrow, what adventure would you want to try there?
2. How do you think changes in the Arctic could affect people living far away from that region?

DANGERS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

(1) While many people around the world debate the causes of climate change and whether it can be halted or
reversed, others are already planning to deal with the consequences.
(2) One area in which this is happening is the Arctic Circle, which is warming at a faster rate than the rest of the
planet. In fact, climate scientists predict that this region could be completely free of ice in the summer
months. The changes are bound to speed up too. The white ice and snow of the Arctic reflect sunlight back
into space. In contrast, darker rock and bare earth absorb more of the sun's rays and warm the land.
(3) As more land surface is not protected, the area is likely to suffer more forest fires and storm damage. Plant
and animal species are certain to change, as some die off and others appear. Human populations will need to
adjust as well, as coastal land disappears under rising waters. 81% of Greenland, for example, is covered by
ice, which is melting at increasing rates. If all of that ice melted, the world's oceans would rise by seven
meters. It is unlikely that all of Greenland's ice will melt, but it is certain that some of it will, which will flood
some coastal towns. A rise in sea water levels could affect as many as 600 million people worldwide and two-
thirds of the world's largest cities.
(4) At the same time, more land exposed in the Arctic means increased opportunities for the development of
resources. Oil, natural gas and minerals will be more easily accessible. In fact, by some estimates, the Arctic
region contains as much as 25% of the world's undiscovered petroleum resources.
(5) It's not just the land that is changing. The Arctic Sea ice is also becoming thinner, which means it melts more
easily. This creates a similar cycle to the one on the land: Less white ice and more dark water causes more
sunlight to be absorbed, which speeds up the melting of more ice.
(6) As sea temperatures rise, cold-water species of fish and sea animals are dying out. Diseases are spreading
more rapidly, damaging coral reefs and marine life, especially shellfish.
(7) When sea levels change, ships will be obliged to change their routes. New passageways could open up and
make it easier for cargo ships to cross the Arctic region, at least in the summer months. The Northern Sea
route, a shipping lane that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean above Russia, is 30% shorter than
the traditional route through the Suez Canal. Every year, the number of ships that use this route increases,
from four in 2010 to 71 in 2013. It's still far smaller than the number of ships that travel through the Suez
Canal (more than 170,000 every year), but the number is certain to increase further. Experts believe that the
route could be common in another two or three decades of climate change, but currently there are still
challenges due to weather conditions and ice in the water.
(8) A secondary shipping route is also expected to open up above North America, which would be shorter and
faster than the current route through the Panama Canal. The first ship to use this alternative route in 2013
saved several days of voyaging and thus $80,000 in fuel costs.
(9) The Arctic Circle is bordered by eight countries: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden,
and the United States. Current laws govern how much of the land, water and land just beneath the water
each country controls. However, as the shape of the area changes, disputes are sure to arise.
(10)In 1996, the eight countries that border the Arctic region, together with indigenous people such as the Inuit
and the Saami, formed the Arctic Council. This organization sponsors scientific research aimed at sustainable
development of the area. Its headquarters are located in Norway, and every two years a different member
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country is responsible for leading the organization. In 2013, six additional countries -China, India, Italy, Japan,
Singapore and South Korea- became permanent members. In addition, 32 other countries have “observer”
status. Other international organizations also carry out research in the area. In 2013, the Arctic Council also
made a decision to move from influencing policy to making policy.
(11)Plenty of challenges are ahead. One of the largest of these is finances. Without adequate funds, it is difficult
to carry out sufficient research and to take needed action. Currently, all of the money spent by the Council
comes from voluntary sources.
(12)Most people will never visit the Arctic region in their lifetime. However, the health of this remote, sparsely
populated region nevertheless affects the health of the entire planet.

Source: Skillful 3 Reading & Writing Unit 5 “Movement” Reading 2 Second Edition

PART A: Match the paragraph numbers in Column A with the main ideas in Column B. Write the letter of the
main idea in the blank next to the paragraph number. There is ONE (1) extra main idea in Column B.

Column A Column B
A. Thinning Arctic Sea ice absorbs more sunlight, causing it to melt faster.
1. Paragraph 2 _____
B. The Arctic Council and its role in policymaking.
2. Paragraph 3 _____
C. Melting Arctic ice is opening up easier access to valuable natural resources
3. Paragraph 4 _____
D. The Arctic Circle is warming more rapidly than other regions.
4. Paragraph 5 _____
E. Melting Arctic ice is causing sea levels to rise, which can harm the
environment and affect people worldwide.

PART B: Circle or write the correct answer. Do NOT give any extra or irrelevant information.

1) What is the main idea of the text?

a. Climate change has recently led to new challenges to appear in the Arctic region.
b. The Arctic region is experiencing major environmental and economic changes.
c. Arctic countries formed the Arctic Council to manage the region's development.

2) According to paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT true about the Arctic Circle?
a. It is heating up faster than the rest of the planet.
b. It could be ice-free in during summers.
c. It seems to be less influenced by climate change.

3) According to paragraph 3, what is one effect of rising temperatures in the Arctic?

a. Human population will certainly change and disappear due to rough weather.
b. The changes in the Arctic might impact almost 70 % of the world’s large cities.
c. Coastal land will expand as a result of the melting ice at an increasing rate.

4) According to paragraph 4, what could be a potential positive effect if the Arctic ice melted?
____________________________________________________________________.
5) In paragraph 5, what is the likely result of losing white ice in the Arctic?
a. The Arctic will warm up faster because dark water absorbs more sunlight.
b. The Arctic will stay cooler as more sunlight is reflected away through ice.
c. The Arctic will get thinner, resulting in a decrease in the melting rate of ice.
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6) In paragraph 5, the word “this” refers to _________________________.

7) According to paragraph 7, in what ways is the Northern Sea route different from the Suez Canal route?
a. ________________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________________

8) In paragraph 7, the word "obliged" is closest in meaning to:

a. allowed
b. unwilling
c. forced

9) According to paragraph 8, which of the following can be inferred about the new shipping route above North
America?
a. It could be more common than Panama Canal in a few decades.
b. It could create challenges due to the weather and ice in the region.
c. It could significantly reduce travel time and fuel costs for ships.

10) In paragraph 10, there is a missing sentence. Three letters (A, B, C) indicate where the following sentence could
be added. Where would the following sentence best fit?
“So far, the Council has passed legislation related to search-and-rescue missions and issues surrounding
ocean pollution.”

In 1996, the eight countries that border the Arctic region, together with indigenous people such as the Inuit and
the Saami, formed the Arctic Council. A. This organization sponsors scientific research aimed at sustainable
development of the area. B. Its headquarters are located in Norway, and every two years a different member
country is responsible for leading the organization. C. In 2013, six additional countries -China, India, Italy, Japan,
Singapore and South Korea- became permanent members. In addition, 32 other countries have “observer”
status. Other international organizations also carry out research in the area. In 2013, the Arctic Council also
made a decision to move from influencing policy to making policy.
a. (A)
b. (B)
c. (C)

11) What is the author’s attitude towards the changes happening in the Arctic Circle?
a. Optimistic
b. Concerned
c. Neutral

Post-Reading: Work in a group. Discuss the questions.

1. Can you think of another situation where climate change made movement easier -or more difficult?
2. Climate change causes some problems, yet also brings some benefits. Should people try to reverse
climate change, or let it happen?
3. The Arctic Council is struggling with funding. Where could more money come from? Do you think it’s
important to fund organizations like this? Why or why not?

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