Reading ACT Prep

With regard to the possibility of returning to the planet Venus, information presented in the passage makes it clear that the author is:

• A. cheerful and optimistic.
• B. sarcastic and contentious.
• C. doubtful and pragmatic.
• D. uncertain and withdrawn.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

CCSS.RI.11-12.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

Which of the following statements most accurately summarizes how the passage characterizes the state of scientific knowledge about Venus before the Pioneer mission?

• F. The scientific community was hesitant to return to Venus after an earlier mission had ended in disaster.
• G. Scientists saw Earth and Venus as near polar opposites in atmospheric conditions.
• H. The common belief that Earth and Venus were "twins" had been eroding under the weight of scientific evidence.
• J. Scientists knew little about the planet Venus because they were more interested in other planets.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Based on the passage, discoveries made in which two areas of study have caused scientists to re-evaluate their theories about Earth and Venus?

• A. Water content and bedrock composition
• B. Sulfuric gases and photosynthesis
• C. Carbon dioxide and climate change
• D. Atmosphere and surface temperature

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

The main point of the second paragraph (lines 17-27) is to:

• F. account for the failure of the Magellan mission and to show the superiority of the Pioneer mission.
• G. suggest that information from both the Magellan and Pioneer missions can bring the scientific community to a deeper understanding of Venus.
• H. show that the Magellan had sent back information regarding the physical characteristics while the Pioneer had not.
• J. hypothesize that the findings of the Pioneer mission will help scientists to approach problems more intelligently.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

The passage indicates that if humans were to attempt to live on the planet Venus, survival would not be possible because:

• A. of the mistaken belief that Venus and Earth are "twin" planets.
  
• B. carbon dioxide is locked away in bicarbonate rocks, not in gaseous form.
• C. the atmospheric pressure, heat, and air are not suitable for human life.
• D. all of the water on Venus is condensed onto the surface.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

According to the passage, some evidence gained before the Pioneer Venus mission suggesting that Earth and Venus are not near-twins stated that:

• F. Venus produces no lead on or underneath its surface.
  
• G. Earth was found to be much farther from the sun than was previously thought.
• H. the atmosphere of Venus contains 78 percent nitrogen and 21 percent oxygen.
• J. the surface temperature of Venus is 450 degrees Celsius and thus unlivable for humans.

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CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

As it is used in line 56, the word harbors most nearly means:

• A. sails.
• B. hides.
• C. holds.
• D. soaks.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

According to the passage, "primordial" describes planets that:

• F. are oxygen-poor due to a lack of activity by living things.
• G. are not hospitable to humans because they have thick atmospheres and high surface temperatures.
• H. have preserved many of the characteristics present when the planets were formed.
• J. have been struck by large bodies which have altered the planets' atmospheres.

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CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

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CCSS.RL.11-12.4

It can reasonably be inferred that the "activity of living things" described in line 59 directly refers to organisms on Earth that:

• A. produce oxygen by their own natural processes and influence the contents of Earth's atmosphere.
• B. remove sulfur gases from the atmosphere during heavy rainfall.
• C. lock away carbon dioxide in carbonate rocks and maintain a reserve of the gas.
• D. could easily live in oppressive atmospheres similar to the atmosphere of Venus.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.11-12.1

According to the passage, the Pioneer Venus mission to Venus involved investigating details relating to the planet's:

• F. surface geology and interior structure.
• G. atmosphere as it has been changed by the influence of photosynthesis.
• H. similarities to the planet Earth.
• J. atmospheric contents.

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CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2