BBC Learning English

Words in the News

100 years of Antarctica discovery
16th December 2011

Norway's prime minister and several hundred scientists and adventurers have gathered
at the South Pole to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Norwegian explorer Roald
Amundsen's first successful expedition to the world's most southerly point. Our reporter
Neil Bowdler has more:

The sound of skis on snow as a group of Norwegians take the final few steps to the
southern pole. Not everyone could make it - bad weather had delayed some of those
trying to cross the ice and others resorted to planes to make the centenary celebrations.

Amundsen and four other men were the first to reach the southern tip of the planet on
December 14th 1911, using sledges, dogs and skis. The Norwegian prime minister Jens
Stoltenberg, who arrived by plane ahead of the celebrations, said the 1911 expedition
was "one of the most outstanding achievements of mankind", and helped to form his
country's national identity.

He also paid tribute to the ill-fated British team led by Robert Scott who Amundsen
beat to the pole. They had shown "courage and determination", he said, "in reaching
one of the most inhospitable places on earth", and had paid the "ultimate price"
after they died on the return journey.

Neil Bowdler, BBC News

Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2011

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Vocabulary and definitions

resorted to used something because of lack of options

sledges snow vehicles with no wheels pulled by animals

outstanding achievements out of the ordinary feat

national identity nationality, pride in your country

ill-fated unsuccessful

beat to defeated in a competition

courage bravery

determination persistence

inhospitable places area where living conditions are hard

the ultimate price death

More on this story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16184667

Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2011/12/111216_witn_amundsen.shtml

Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2011

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