Are Humans Really Headed to Mars... Vocab & Questions

Something that is able to be believed; something that is believable is said to be...

• false
• credible
• unveiled
• believed

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CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

To show or announce something publicly for the first time is to...

• unveil 
• release
• veil
• predict

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CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

To say or estimate that (a specific thing) will happen in the future is to...

• imagine
• unveil
• be credible
• predict

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CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

A dictionary is a much more _______ source to find the definition of a word than a fellow student.

• credit
• predictable
• credible
• unveiling

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CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

A synonym for the word unveiled is...

• revealed
• repeated
• hidden
• removed

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CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

A synonym for the word credible is...

• false
• believable
• impossible
• guessing

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CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

PART A: Which of the following statements best identifies a central idea of the article?

• A. The media attention on Mars enthusiasts has caused space exploration to become one of the most important issues facing Americans today.

• B. While some private agencies are working on sending humans to Mars, many experts believe that the barriers to such a voyage still remain high.

• C. Despite the publicity surrounding private space missions, NASA remains optimistic that it will be the first agency in the U.S. to send humans to Mars.

• D. Private space agencies have no plans beyond landing on Mars, as opposed to the people of NASA, who genuinely want to colonize Mars and explore space.

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

PART B: Which quote from the text best supports the answer to Part A in Question 9.

• A. “With recent news headlines...it might seem like a trip to this alien world might finally be close at hand.” (Paragraph 1)

• B. “Most people just don’t get how hard this would be....‘the complexities that are involved in going and staying there are really enormous’” (Paragraph 3)

• C. “The Mars One plan calls for first sending out a small robotic lander in 2018.Lansdorp says he can do this more cheaply than NASA.” (Paragraph 13)

• D. “‘There is no program,’ he says. ‘There isn’t even a plan. There’s just chatter.’” (Paragraph 24)

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CCSS.RI.11-12.10

CCSS.RI.6.10

CCSS.RI.7.10

CCSS.RI.8.10

CCSS.RI.9-10.10

How does Zubrin’s description of NASA’s Mars program as “‘all sizzle and no steak’” (Paragraph 23) impact the meaning of the article?

• A. It suggests that NASA does not have substantial plans for Mars, as opposed to the more purposeful plans of private space companies.

• B. It suggests that NASA has the funding for a successfully manned mission to Mars but is using the funding improperly.

• C. It suggests that NASA’s announcement of its program to Mars was only meant to attract media attention for the space agency.

• D. It suggests that NASA’s program, while not likely to launch, will inspire other missions as a model program on how to get to Mars.

Which statement best describes how Zubrin might respond to the idea that sending humans to Mars is impossible?

• A. He would disagree and point out that if NASA had the funding available today, the agency would be able to create human settlements on Mars by the 2030s.

• B. He would agree and note that many public and private initiatives to send humans to Mars have already failed to succeed and will continue to fail.

• C. He would disagree and acknowledge that while the project would be incredibly difficult, companies like SpaceX have already made considerable progress.

• D. He would agree and add that none of these “programs” have any plans beyond how to get to Mars or any desire to live on it.