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RRS Discovery Sets
off on 9000-Mile
Atlantic Expedition
A research ship has recently set sail on an
expedition to learn more about our oceans and
maybe even discover new species!
The Royal Research Ship (RRS) Discovery left
Southampton, England last week on an epic
9,000-mile journey.
The vessel is sailing to the south Atlantic
Ocean. The scientists on board will study the
waters around Ascension Island and St Helena.
These islands are home to two of the world’s-
largest Marine Protected Areas.
What are Marine Protected Areas?
• Marine Protected Areas are parts of the sea where
human activities are restricted. They are a way of
helping to protect marine life.
• Some things that could damage the marine
environment in these areas are banned such as
certain types of fishing.
Scientists on board will use state-of-the-art
equipment to learn more about the marine life in
these areas. As part of the mission, the scientists comfortable than they were on the first
will be looking at previously unexplored habitats Discovery 120 years ago. Nowadays, the crew
4km below the surface. They think they might
even discover new species.
Lord Goldsmith is the UK’s Minister for
Climate and Environment. He said: “Following
in the footsteps of the first Discovery voyage
to Antarctica more than a century ago, this
expedition offers an unrivalled opportunity to
learn about marine life in some of the remotest
places in the world.”
RRS Discovery
So far, four ships have been built solely for the
purpose of research and named Discovery.
The first of these launched in 1901. It was
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Illustration: RRS Discovery.
the first-ever ship to be built specifically for
scientific research.
On board was Ernest Shackleton and the
expedition was led by Captain Robert Falcon
Scott. Its first mission was to learn more about
the unexplored continent of Antarctica.
Famously, Discovery got locked in
sea ice for more than two years before
it could be freed.
A second RRS Discovery was
launched in 1929 and a third in 1962.
The current RRS Discovery is the
fourth research vessel to bear the
name. It launched in 2012 and
continues the illustrious work of the
other ships as it helps us learn more
about our planet.
Conditions on board are much more
have access to an onboard gym and even a
mini cinema!
Glossary
unrivalled Better than anything else of the
same kind.
remotest The most far away place from
where people normally live.
solely Only.
illustrious Greatly respected; famous for
achieving something successfully.
 Questions
1. Which two famous polar explorers are mentioned in the article?

1. 

2. 

2. Look at this sentence: The current RRS Discovery is the fourth research vessel to bear the
name. Find and copy a word which is similar in meaning to ‘carry; have’.


3. According to the article, in which ocean is RRS Discovery going to be working?



4. Look at this sentence: Scientists on board will use state-of-the-art equipment to learn
more about the marine life in these areas. Give the meaning of ‘state-of-the-art’ as it is
used in this sentence.





5. Tick to show whether the statement is true or false according to the article.
True False
The vessel set off from Portsmouth.
Robert Falcon Scott is the captain of the mission.
RRS Discovery’s journey will cover 9000 miles.
There’s a mini cinema on board RRS Discovery.

6. Which of the following alternative headlines best summarises the article? (tick one)

Research Ship Sets Sail Hoping to Discover New Species

RRS Endurance Sets Sail to Explore Marine Protected Areas.
RRS Discovery Sets Sail to Explore Antarctic
RRS Discovery Returns from 9000 Mile Voyage of Discovery

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 Answers
1. Which two famous polar explorers are mentioned in the article?
Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott

2. Look at this sentence: The current RRS Discovery is the fourth research vessel to bear the
name. Find and copy a word which is similar in meaning to ‘carry; have’.
bear

3. According to the article, in which ocean is RRS Discovery going to be working?

the Atlantic

4. Look at this sentence: Scientists on board will use state-of-the-art equipment to learn
more about the marine life in these areas. Give the meaning of ‘state-of-the-art’ as it is
used in this sentence.
Accept any reasonable answer which gives a correct definition of the term in that
context, e.g. It means really good technology or really up to date and modern.

5. Tick to show whether the statement is true or false according to the article.
True False
The vessel set off from Portsmouth. 
Robert Falcon Scott is the captain of the mission. 
RRS Discovery’s journey will cover 9000 miles. 
There’s a mini cinema on board RRS Discovery. 

6. Which of the following alternative headlines best summarises the article? (tick one)

 Research Ship Sets Sail Hoping to Discover New Species

RRS Endurance Sets Sail to Explore Marine Protected Areas.
RRS Discovery Sets Sail to Explore Antarctic
RRS Discovery Returns from 9000 Mile Voyage of Discovery

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