Meaning: 'Is covered' means that a certain area is currently and continuously under the surface of something, in this case, large oceans and smaller seas.

Wrong options:

• covered: 'Covered' is the past participle form and does not fit the present tense context required here.
• covers: 'Covers' is in the present simple tense but would imply that the subject is performing the action, which is not the case here.
• which covered: 'Which covered' is a relative clause that does not grammatically connect with the main clause, making it incorrect.

Correct answer: over

Explanation: The preposition 'over' indicates movement across a surface, which is appropriate for describing how winds interact with the water. It fits contextually as it describes the action of winds blowing above the water.

Meaning: 'Over' means to be situated above something, indicating the direction of the winds in relation to the water.

Wrong options:

• into: 'Into' suggests movement from outside to a point inside, which does not accurately describe the action of winds blowing across the surface.
• below: 'Below' indicates a position underneath, which contradicts the context of winds blowing across the water's surface.
• beneath: 'Beneath' also implies being under something, which does not fit the intended meaning of the winds' movement.

Correct answer: so

Explanation: The conjunction 'so' indicates a consequence or result, linking the previous clause about winds carrying air to the conclusion about oceans affecting climate. It fits logically and contextually as it shows the relationship between the two ideas.

Meaning: 'So' means 'for that reason' or 'therefore,' indicating that the effect of the oceans on climate is a result of the winds carrying air.

Wrong options:

• because: 'Because' introduces a reason rather than a consequence, which does not fit the intended logical flow of the sentence.
• as: 'As' can indicate a reason but is less direct in showing consequence compared to 'so,' making it less suitable here.
• also: 'Also' suggests addition rather than causation, which does not align with the intended meaning of the sentence.

Correct answer: Without

Explanation: The word 'Without' indicates the absence of something, which is appropriate here as it sets up a conditional statement about the effects of not having winds and currents. It fits grammatically and contextually as it introduces a hypothetical situation.

Meaning: 'Without' means lacking or not having something, indicating that the following statement depends on the absence of winds and currents.

Wrong options:

• With: 'With' implies the presence of something, which contradicts the conditional nature of the statement being made.
• Unless: 'Unless' introduces a condition but does not fit the structure of the sentence as it would require a different grammatical construction.
• Accept: 'Accept' is a verb that does not fit contextually or grammatically in this conditional statement.

Correct answer: would get

Explanation: The phrase 'would get' indicates a hypothetical outcome based on the previous conditional statement. It fits grammatically as it suggests a future possibility contingent on the absence of winds and currents.

Meaning: 'Would get' means that something is likely to happen under certain conditions, in this case, the poles becoming colder.

Wrong options:

• got: 'Got' is the past tense form, which does not fit the future hypothetical context required here.
• gets: 'Gets' is present tense and does not convey the hypothetical nature of the statement.
• will get: 'Will get' suggests a definite future action rather than a conditional outcome, making it less suitable in this context.