Question 3 Model Answer: Speech (CIE IGCSE English Language)

Model answer:

Good morning everyone! My name is Simon and I’m a Base Commander in Antarctica. I’m here today to talk to you about the opportunities and challenges of living and working on a base station in such difficult conditions.

There are a range of different jobs available at the base station. You might be working as a scientist like Xavier, which can involve working with the ice-coring team or out in a field camp collecting samples. This is an important job because our scientists are conducting ground-breaking research into Earth’s climate. We also have marine biologists who routinely dive with seals and orcas, so they tend to be the adventurous and brave ones! We need mechanics and engineers to keep the place running, as they look after things like the planes, generators, the sewage treatment plant or ski equipment. We have cooks who have to do interesting things with tinned food, as it is so difficult to get fresh supplies and there are a lot of people to feed. And, of course, we would all be stuck without the pilots transporting scientists to and from field camps. They do incredible work landing planes safely in what can be extremely challenging weather conditions.

So, if you decide that working at a base camp is for you, what can you expect when you first arrive and when you’ve settled in? Well, you’ll be shown around first, and you’ll notice that there are no cafes, restaurants or even Wi-Fi! There isn’t much in the way of entertainment - just card games and magazines really. But don’t worry: you’ll be too busy to notice. To begin with, you will be involved in field training, where you’ll learn to abseil into crevasses, get yourselves out and rescue someone who has fallen in. You will definitely be out of your comfort zone and fending for yourselves, putting up and taking down your own tents and cooking on camp-stoves. Then you’ll be involved in regular briefings, group activities and trips to collect water samples. During the summer months, the scientists stationed at base camp give lectures, which are both informative and inspirational. It’s great to get different perspectives and expert opinions on what we are studying. We also have more freedom to go for walks, but as winter approaches, we have to increase our safety rehearsals as accidents can easily happen in such a harsh environment.

There are definitely lots of challenges associated with living and working in Antarctica. You are a long way from civilisation, and although this can be a welcome break from the pressures of modern life, it can feel quite isolating, especially in the winter as there is a real danger of being stranded. The winter is long and hard, and although amazing, the animals that we share our home with can also be dangerous. There is also a real risk of feelings of depression or loneliness, with very few changes of personnel and not much leisure time. However, there are also lots of rewards. Living and working so closely with the same group of people for such a long time can help build long and lasting friendships and a sense of these people being family. The landscape is inspirational, and the experience of living in Antarctica really changes you as a person. And probably most importantly of all, living in this awe-inspiring place helps you to develop a real awareness of the health of our planet; we see how fragile the carpet of ice is and therefore appreciate the implications of global warming and the actions we must take to protect our world.