The Last Wilderness

If you have concluded that there is no place on Earth left to explore, think again. Scientists are still learning much about the continent of Antarctica. This frozen land seems stranded at the bottom of the world, yet it’s a display of wonders. An alert visitor might see penguin parents huddle with their chick, or watch a graceful seal stretch out on the ice. Many people have a vision of exploring this amazing place, although it can be dangerous, even by adventurers’ standards. Severe weather can lead to fractured ice, and extreme cold can make a person weak with weariness. Scientists and explorers, however, continue to visit this beautiful land.

display (noun)

My grandmother loves my paintings so much she has a display of them on her living room wall.

Definition: an arrangement of objects or a behavior used to show something.

Different forms: displays (plural noun); display (verb); displays (verb); displayed (verb); displaying (verb)

alert (adjective)

“These animals are alert. They are wide awake and ready to take action” (Journeys, p. 324)

Definition: able to think clearly and to notice things

Different forms: alertly (adverb); alertness (noun); alert (verb); alerts (verb); alerted (verb); alerting (verb)

Note: alert (verb) means to make someone aware of something

weary (adjective)

“This bird can fly many miles. It may get tired and feel weary but it isn’t stopped by its weariness” (Journeys, p. 324)

Definition: lacking strength and energy because rest is needed

Different forms: wearier (adjective); weariest (adjective); wearily (adverb); weariness (noun)

fractured (adjective)

“In Antarctica, chunks of fractured, or broken, ice float through the icy sea” (Journeys, p. 324).

Definition: having a crack or break

Different forms: fracture (noun); fractures (plural noun); fracture (verb); fractures (verb); fractured (verb); fracturing (verb)

standard (noun)

“By a polar bears’ standards, or ways of measuring, cold air might be comfortable” (Journeys, p. 325).

Definition: level of quality that is acceptable or wanted

Different forms: standards (plural noun)

vision (noun)

“Artists can have a vision, or mental image, of how to paint a scene from nature” (Journeys, p. 325)

Definition: something that you imagine; a picture in your mind

Different forms: envision (verb); envisions (verb); envisioned (verb); envisioning (verb)

huddle (verb)

“Baby goslings often huddle together to stay warm while they nap” (Journeys, p. 325).

Definition: to come close together in a group

Different forms: huddles (verb); huddled (verb); huddling (verb); huddle (noun)

Note: huddle (noun) means a group of people or animals that have huddled together.

graceful (adjective)

“The delicate design of a spider’s web is graceful and pleasing to see” (p. 325)

Definition: having a smooth or pleasing shape or style;moving in a smooth or attractive way

Different forms: gracefully (adverb)

strand (verb)

“Each island has an emergency cache of food and supplies, marked with a flag, available if a person gets stranded during a storm” (Journeys, p. 331).

Definition: to leave a person or an animal in a place without a way to get out of that place

Different forms: strands (verb); stranded (verb); stranding (adjective)

conclude (verb)

“Many people have concluded, or decided, that nature is full of beauty” (Journeys, p. 325).

Definition: to decide; to form an opinion about something

Different forms: concludes (verb); concluded (verb); concluding (verb); conclusion (noun)

The Last Wilderness

If you have concluded that there is no place on Earth left to explore, think again. Scientists are still learning much about the continent of Antarctica. This frozen land seems stranded at the bottom of the world, yet it’s a display of wonders. An alert visitor might see penguin parents huddle with their chick, or watch a graceful seal stretch out on the ice. Many people have a vision of exploring this amazing place, although it can be dangerous, even by adventurers’ standards. Severe weather can lead to fractured ice, and extreme cold can make a person weak with weariness. Scientists and explorers, however, continue to visit this beautiful land.