Explorers or boys messing about?

what is Explorers or boys messing about? Either way, taxpayer gets rescue bill about?

a newspaper article criticising two explorers who had to be rescued after their helicopter crashed near Antarctica

who wrote the article?

Steven Morris, a journalist for The Guardian

what event is described in the article?

two British explorers were rescued after their helicopter ditched into the sea near Antarctica

what main idea does the writer present about the explorers?

he suggests they were irresponsible and immature

why does the writer question the expedition?

because rescuing the explorers cost taxpayers a large amount of money

what theme about responsibility is explored?

the article questions whether people should risk expensive rescue missions for dangerous personal adventures

how does the title present the writer’s opinion?

the rhetorical question suggests the men may not be serious explorers but “boys messing about”

what tone does the writer use in the article?

a critical and slightly sarcastic tone to mock the explorers’ actions

how does the writer make the explorers seem immature?

he repeatedly describes them as “boys” and refers to their expedition as a “farce”

how does Morris emphasise the scale of the rescue?

he lists organisations such as the Royal Navy, the RAF and the coastguards

what effect does including facts and statistics have?

it makes the article appear factual and credible while criticising the expedition

how does the writer show bias against the explorers?

he presents expert opinions and comments that question the wisdom of their actions

why does the writer mention the explorers’ previous expeditions?

to show that they have made risky decisions before

how does Morris use irony in the article?

phrases like “trusty helicopter” suggest sarcasm and doubt about the explorers’ judgement

what structural technique helps tell the story of the rescue?

the events are described in chronological order from the crash to the rescue

what overall message does the article communicate?

dangerous personal adventures can have serious consequences and may unfairly cost taxpayers money