The Arctic Ice isThawing

Father Christmas mayhave to move his"workshop"from the North Pole because global warmingis thawing the ice beneath his feet and his reindeers' feet as

well.His"workshop"isin dire straits. The"platform"for the"workshop"ismelting,said Stefan Norris of the World Wildlife Fund Environmental Group'sArctic Program.

An eight-nationreport by 250 scientists published recently predicted the Arctic Ocean could beice-free in summer by 2100 because of a build-up of heat-trapping gases in the

atmosphere,mainlyfrom burning fossil fuels in cars or factories.The North Pole is getting moreand more inhabitable to Father Christmas._______(46)Young people learn

that,FatherChristmas'"workshop"produces millions of gifts delivered by him on aflying,reindeer-drawn sleigh.Hollywood movies like The Polar Express tried tomake

viewers believe thatFather Christmas lives at the North Pole._______(47)

The"Fortress ofSolitude"is near the North Pole that could be under threat in a warmerworld.

Ian Boldt,spokesmanof the Danish Ministry of Science,suggested ways to rescue Father Christmas._______(48)Another alternative,he argued,would be building some

electricalfacilities to ensure the ice stays on the North Pole for him."This shouldbe a subject for the United Nations."he said. "Danmark could buildwindmills to provide

Father Christmaswith power."Denmarksays Father Christmas's real home is Greenland,which will help,Denmarkthinks,to strengthen its position in claiming the sovereignty

over thePole._______(49)

"Doesn't healready speak Danish?"Boldt said frostily when asked if Father Christmaswould be forced to learn Danish if Denmark won internationalrecognition of its claim

to the Pole.Lastmonth's Arctic report said the region is warming twice as fast as the rest ofthe globe,partly because dark ground or water,once uncovered,soaks up more heat

than ice or snow. Finland hasbeen most favored by Father Christmas and it has about 500,000 tourists a yearto visit its Christmas center in Rovaniemi in Lapland._______

(50)__________（46）

A.However,Nordicnations all reject it by claiming that their countries are his home.

B.Therefore theNorth Pole is the most attractive place in the world.

C.If Denmark's claimwere accepted internationally,it would have the legal right to search for oiland gas at the North Pole.

D.One of them wouldbe building a giant floating ice rink for the workshop if the Pole thaws.

E.Maybe FatherChristmas has already moved to Rovaniemi.