"Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!" Quiz

According to "Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!" why are astronauts living on the slopes of a volcano as part of the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) project?

• They are testing a variety of rockets and engines to determine which have the best performance.

• They are researching the health risks of living at altitudes similar to those of a space station.

• They are building equipment in a hostile environment that is supposed to be like Mars.

• They are studying how people react to spending large amounts of time in space.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What makes the trip to Mars especially challenging for astronauts according to the text?

• Powering the spacecraft requires advanced technology.

• The trip takes more than eight months each way.

• Getting supplies to the astronauts is not easy.

• Deep space is too cold to be comfortable.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

What happens to the human brain when a person is bored for long periods of time according to the text? (Choose TWO options)

• It sleeps

• It daydreams.

• It gains intelligence.

• It becomes depressed.

• It becomes unconscious.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Why might chronic boredom be dangerous on a space mission according to the text?

• Astronauts might decide to shorten the length of the mission.

• Astronauts might get frustrated and stop working with one another.

• Astronauts might take risks that jeopardize the safety of the entire crew.

• Astronauts might stop taking care of themselves and become unable to work.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

According to the text, what is one way that astronauts can combat extreme boredom when living in an isolated environment?

• by eating and drinking more frequently

• by counting the days until they go home

• by occupying themselves with a lot of work

• by communicating continuously with people

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which of the following is the best definition of chronic?

• continuing for a long time and returning

• originating in the brain

• causing physical pain

• existing since birth

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

If Sofia's leg injury can correctly be described as excruciatingly painful, then which of the following must be true?

• Sofia's pain comes and goes.

• Sofia can play sports despite her pain.

• Sofia should soon be able to walk without pain.

• Sofia's medical problem involves pain that is intense.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

What is the most likely meaning of monotony in the following sentence? Use context clues to help you:

Jamal became bored by the monotony of his job, delivering newspapers day in and day out.

• difficult challenges

• unexpected tasks

• lack of variety

• low pay

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Read the following passage:

"The 2013 class [of astronauts], for instance had more than 6,000 applicants and only 8 were chosen. Astronauts are rigorously tested for psychological as well as physical fitness. But no mission in NASA's history has raised the specter of chronic boredom to the degree that a Mars mission does..."

According to the passage, why are astronauts given psychological evaluations?

• to see whether they can handle being away from their families

• to determine whether they can complete difficult physical tasks

• to decide whether they are willing to listen to the mission's lead officer

• to see whether they can mentally withstand the months-long trip to Mars.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which statement best describes why boredom becomes a problem during long periods of inactivity in space, according to the text?

• The brain wants something to do and might seek out stimulation in a risky way.

• The body loses physical functions.

• Astronauts lose interest in the mission.

• Astronauts become argumentative and competitive.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2