Continents & Oceans — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word on the line.
1. The five oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern Ocean.
The five oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern. The Southern Ocean was officially recognized as the fifth ocean in 2000 and surrounds Antarctica.
2. The largest ocean on Earth is the Pacific Ocean.
The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth. It covers more than 60 million square miles and separates the Americas from Asia and Australia.
3. The smallest ocean on Earth is the Arctic Ocean.
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean on Earth. It is located near the North Pole and is covered by sea ice for much of the year.
4. The Atlantic Ocean is between North America and Europe.
The Atlantic Ocean is between North America and Europe. It is the ocean that explorers historically crossed when sailing from Europe to the Americas.
5. More than 70 percent of Earth's surface is covered by water.
More than 70 percent of Earth's surface is covered by water. This is why oceans are so important — they make up most of the planet's surface.
6. The Southern Ocean is near the South Pole.
The Southern Ocean is near the South Pole. It surrounds the continent of Antarctica and is known for its cold temperatures and strong winds.
7. The Arctic Ocean is near the North Pole.
The Arctic Ocean is near the North Pole. It is the shallowest and coldest of all the world's oceans.
8. Ocean water is salty, not fresh.
Ocean water is salty, not fresh. The salt in ocean water comes from minerals that wash into the sea from land over millions of years.
9. The Indian Ocean is between Africa and Australia.
The Indian Ocean is between Africa and Australia. It is the third largest ocean and is surrounded by Asia to the north.
Part B: Match the Continent or Ocean
Draw a line from each ocean to the correct clue.
1. Match each ocean to the correct clue.
Pacific Ocean
→ The largest ocean on Earth
Between Africa and Australia
Atlantic Ocean
→ Between North America and Europe
The smallest ocean near the North Pole
Arctic Ocean
→ The smallest ocean near the North Pole
The largest ocean on Earth
Indian Ocean
→ Between Africa and Australia
Between North America and Europe
Pacific Ocean → The largest ocean, covering more area than all land on Earth. Atlantic Ocean → Between North America and Europe, historically important for exploration. Arctic Ocean → The smallest ocean, located near the North Pole. Indian Ocean → Between Africa and Australia, the third largest ocean.