1. to Where Did Ernest Shackleton and His Men Sail? 2. What Main

Stuck in the Icy Ocean - Comprehension Questions Answer Key

1. To where did Ernest Shackleton and his men sail?

A. Antarctica B. Europe C. North America

2. What main problem did Shackleton and his crew face?

A. They weren't good at steering their ship. B. They ran out of food and supplies. C. Their ship got stuck in the ice.

3. "Ernest Shackleton solved the problems his men faced."

Which piece of evidence from the text supports this statement?

A. "Ernest Shackleton was an explorer. In 1914, he led an expedition to Antarctica." B. "As Shackleton and twenty-seven men sailed toward the South Pole, their ship became stuck in ice." C. "Soon, the sheet of ice they were living on started to melt. Shackleton ordered his men onto the small lifeboats the big ship carried."

4. Why was the spring in Antarctica especially dangerous to Shackleton and his crew?

A. because the ice would melt in the spring, which would cause the crew to die B. because dangerous animals come out in the spring that could eat or hurt the crew C. because the warmer spring weather could cause damage to the supplies Shackleton and his crew had brought

5. What is the main idea of this article?

A. Shackleton faced many dangers during his expedition but was able to save his entire crew. B. Shackleton and his crew sailed to Antarctica without facing any major problems. C. Shackleton was a talented explorer, but his crew saved his life during their journey to Antarctica.

6. Read these sentences from the text.

"They ended up camping on a sheet of ice. They watched their ship sink, safe for the moment. But Shackleton knew they were still in danger. Soon, the sheet of ice they were living on started to melt."

Based on these sentences, what does the word "danger" mean?

A. a cold and wet area B. an unsafe situation C. a safe place

7. Choose the answer that best completes this sentence.

Shackleton ordered his crew into lifeboats ______the ice they were living on was starting to melt.

A. so B. because C. but

8. Shackleton and his men sailed to an island, but they couldn't stay there because there was no life or shelter. How did Shackleton deal with this problem?

He sailed with five men to another island. Answers may also include that Shackleton sent a ship back to the first island to rescue the remaining crew members.

9. How did Ernest Shackleton show courage during his Antarctic expedition? Support your answer using evidence from the article.

Answers may vary but should be supported by the text. For example, students may note that Ernest Shackleton showed courage by continuing to fight for his life and the lives of his crew members even as he and his crew were faced with new dangers and problems.

10. Many people think of Ernest Shackleton as a hero. What personality traits are important in a hero? Use evidence from the article to support your answer.

Answers may vary as long as they are supported by the text. Responses may note that courage is an important trait in a hero, as Shackleton showed during his expedition. Determination and leadership are also important traits in a hero, demonstrated by Shackleton in his fight to save his entire crew. Creativity and intelligence can also be important traits in a hero, as Shackleton showed in his ability to come up with informed solutions and plans of action to each new problem.