RI8 Independent

Which statement BEST describes the author's central claim?

• Exploring Mars is essential in order to understand Earth's past, present, and future.

• Exploring Mars is impossible because it costs billions of dollars.

• The Odyssey space probe is the most important space mission ever planned

• It is important to explore Mars so people can one day live on that planet.

Which statement from the selection is a fact that supports the author's argument in favor of the exploration of Mars?

• ...The US launched Mars Odyssey space probe to take photos and gather data from Mars.

• Such a mission will cost billions of dollars.

• In 1996, scientists revealed evidence that some form of bacterial life may have existed on Mars.

• It is the most important and potentially enlightening scientific quest of our time.

Which statement expresses an opposing viewpoint offered by the writer?

• Water plays a vital role in the climate of a planet.

• Scientists wanted to know if there was ever life on Mars.

• Studying other planets may help scientists better understand earth.

• Exploring Mars may not produce results that are worth the cost.

Read this statement from the selection:

These people fail to understand the tremendous significance of the Mars Missions.

The writer uses the word fail to:

• Associate the opposing viewpoint with negative connotations.

• Point out an area of the Mars missions needing improvement.

• Draw attention to irrelevant information.

• Explain why the mars missions are not a good idea.

Which statement is an opinion?

• In 203, 2004, and 2011, NASA sent robotic rovers to Mars.

• Such a mission will cost billions of dollars.

• ...water plays a vital role in the planet's climate...

• It is the most important and potentially enlightening scientific quest of our time.

Tags

CCSS.RL.11-12.6

Which detail from the passage is MOST relevant to understanding why scientists think it is important to explore Mars?

• ...The US launched the Mars Odyssey space probe to take photos and gather data from Mars.

• Such a mission will cost billions of dollars.

• In 1996, scientists revealed evidence suggesting that some form of bacterial life may have existed on mars.

• It is the most important and potentially enlightening scientific quest of our time.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

Read the sentence from the passage:

It is the most important and potentially enlightening scientific quest of our time.

The author uses the word Enlightening to create the feeling that...

• Exploring Mars is good and wise.

• Science is a noble profession.

• The sun provides light to the universe.

• We live in a time of scientific discovery.

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CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Which evidence proves the claim that Mars should be studied to determine if life exists beyond earth.

• It is the most important and potentially enlightening scientific quest of our time.

• While examine a meteorite fragment they believe came from mars, scientists discovered microscopic forms resembling bacteria fossils.

• We must, therefore, go forward with our exploration of Mars.

• What we learn will inform our understanding of Earth's past, present, and future.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.8.1