Review Test - 1A

DIRECTIONS: Choose the best answer for each question.

A Mysterious Visitor

[A] In October 2017, astronomers in Hawaii saw something surprising. A strange object was moving through the solar system. They had seen many asteroids before, but this was something different. It was long and thin - like a cucumber. The object's speed and direction also showed something surprising. This was an interstellar1 object - the first ever seen.

[B] The object was named 'Oumuamua - Hawaiian for "visitor from afar." Nobody is sure exactly what it is. The simplest idea is that 'Oumuamua is a strangely shaped piece of rock. Perhaps it was knocked out of a far-off star system. However, astronomers saw that its speed increased after passing the sun. Some scientists therefore suggest a different theory.

[C] "'Oumuamua could be a piece of alien technology," says Professor Abraham Loeb from

Harvard University. Loeb believes this could explain the object's long, thin shape, and also its change in speed. Maybe 'Oumuamua was a spaceship that came to explore our solar system. "All possibilities should be considered," says Loeb.

[D] 'Oumuamua can no longer be seen from Earth. But astronomers continue to study the information they got from it. It is still not clear if the object was a large rock, or something else altogether. 'Oumuamua will likely be a mystery for many years to come.

1 If an object is described as interstellar, it has traveled between different stars

This passage ____.

• discusses types of visitors

• argues that aliens are real

• gives the history of alien technology

• talks about a mysterious asteroid

DIRECTIONS: Choose the best answer for each question.

A Mysterious Visitor

[A] In October 2017, astronomers in Hawaii saw something surprising. A strange object was moving through the solar system. They had seen many asteroids before, but this was something different. It was long and thin - like a cucumber. The object's speed and direction also showed something surprising. This was an interstellar1 object - the first ever seen.

[B] The object was named 'Oumuamua - Hawaiian for "visitor from afar." Nobody is sure exactly what it is. The simplest idea is that 'Oumuamua is a strangely shaped piece of rock. Perhaps it was knocked out of a far-off star system. However, astronomers saw that its speed increased after passing the sun. Some scientists therefore suggest a different theory.

[C] "'Oumuamua could be a piece of alien technology," says Professor Abraham Loeb from

Harvard University. Loeb believes this could explain the object's long, thin shape, and also its change in speed. Maybe 'Oumuamua was a spaceship that came to explore our solar system. "All possibilities should be considered," says Loeb.

[D] 'Oumuamua can no longer be seen from Earth. But astronomers continue to study the information they got from it. It is still not clear if the object was a large rock, or something else altogether. 'Oumuamua will likely be a mystery for many years to come.

1 If an object is described as interstellar, it has traveled between different stars

What does the name 'Oumuamua mean?

• visitor from afar

• Hawaiian visitor

• piece of rock

• alien spaceship

In paragraph B, what word or phrase means the same as theory?

• possibility
• mystery
• spaceship
• solar system

What is NOT true about 'Oumuamua?

• It is shaped like a cucumber.

• Its speed increased after passing the sun.

• It's a piece of rock from Mars.

• It was first spotted by astronomers in Hawaii.

DIRECTIONS: Choose the best answer for each question.

[C] "'Oumuamua could be a piece of alien technology," says Professor Abraham Loeb from Harvard University. Loeb believes this could explain the object's long, thin shape, and also its change in speed. Maybe 'Oumuamua was a spaceship that came to explore our solar system. "All possibilities should be considered," says Loeb.

What is probably true about Professor Abraham Loeb?

• He lives and works in Hawaii.

• He is not interested in other star systems.

• He thinks it is possible that aliens exist.

• He doesn't think 'Oumuamua is an interstellar object.

Planet Nine

[A] How many planets are there in our solar system? Earlier generations learned about nine planets that go around the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Younger generations are learning that there are only eight planets which orbit the sun. (Pluto is no longer considered a planet because it's too small. Now it's called a "dwarf planet.") What will the next generation learn?

[B] Scientists are discovering more about our solar system. But some mysteries remain. For example, are there any other planets out there? One group of scientists believes the answer is yes. They think that there is maybe another planet in our solar system. They haven't seen it yet, but they have begun searching for it with the world's strongest telescopes.

[C] What gave them this idea? To begin with, scientists look at the orbits, or circular paths, of planets and other space objects, such as asteroids. Beyond the dwarf planet Pluto, they noticed some objects that were moving in strange orbits. They wondered what caused those strange paths. One theory was that a planet caused them, a new planet. Based on their calculations, this planet could be the size of Neptune and travel around the sun once every 10,000 to 20,000 years. Scientists named this possible planet "Planet Nine." It will only get a real name if it is actually discovered. Until then, Planet Nine will remain a mystery.

Skim the passage Planet Nine to answer the questions. Chose the best option.

Has Planet Nine been discovered?

• Yes

• No

Planet Nine

[A] How many planets are there in our solar system? Earlier generations learned about nine planets that go around the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Younger generations are learning that there are only eight planets which orbit the sun. (Pluto is no longer considered a planet because it's too small. Now it's called a "dwarf planet.") What will the next generation learn?

[B] Scientists are discovering more about our solar system. But some mysteries remain. For example, are there any other planets out there? One group of scientists believes the answer is yes. They think that there is maybe another planet in our solar system. They haven't seen it yet, but they have begun searching for it with the world's strongest telescopes.

[C] What gave them this idea? To begin with, scientists look at the orbits, or circular paths, of planets and other space objects, such as asteroids. Beyond the dwarf planet Pluto, they noticed some objects that were moving in strange orbits. They wondered what caused those strange paths. One theory was that a planet caused them, a new planet. Based on their calculations, this planet could be the size of Neptune and travel around the sun once every 10,000 to 20,000 years. Scientists named this possible planet "Planet Nine." It will only get a real name if it is actually discovered. Until then, Planet Nine will remain a mystery.

Choose the correct option.

Which planet is considered a dwarf planet?

• Netune

• Pluto

Planet Nine

[A] How many planets are there in our solar system? Earlier generations learned about nine planets that go around the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Younger generations are learning that there are only eight planets which orbit the sun. (Pluto is no longer considered a planet because it's too small. Now it's called a "dwarf planet.") What will the next generation learn?

[B] Scientists are discovering more about our solar system. But some mysteries remain. For example, are there any other planets out there? One group of scientists believes the answer is yes. They think that there is maybe another planet in our solar system. They haven't seen it yet, but they have begun searching for it with the world's strongest telescopes.

[C] What gave them this idea? To begin with, scientists look at the orbits, or circular paths, of planets and other space objects, such as asteroids. Beyond the dwarf planet Pluto, they noticed some objects that were moving in strange orbits. They wondered what caused those strange paths. One theory was that a planet caused them, a new planet. Based on their calculations, this planet could be the size of Neptune and travel around the sun once every 10,000 to 20,000 years. Scientists named this possible planet "Planet Nine." It will only get a real name if it is actually discovered. Until then, Planet Nine will remain a mystery.

Skim the passage Planet Nine to answer the questions. Chose the best option.

What does the passage say is still a mystery to scientists?

• Are there any other planets out there?

• What will the next generation learn?

Planet Nine

[A] How many planets are there in our solar system? Earlier generations learned about nine planets that go around the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Younger generations are learning that there are only eight planets which orbit the sun. (Pluto is no longer considered a planet because it's too small. Now it's called a "dwarf planet.") What will the next generation learn?

[B] Scientists are discovering more about our solar system. But some mysteries remain. For example, are there any other planets out there? One group of scientists believes the answer is yes. They think that there is maybe another planet in our solar system. They haven't seen it yet, but they have begun searching for it with the world's strongest telescopes.

[C] What gave them this idea? To begin with, scientists look at the orbits, or circular paths, of planets and other space objects, such as asteroids. Beyond the dwarf planet Pluto, they noticed some objects that were moving in strange orbits. They wondered what caused those strange paths. One theory was that a planet caused them, a new planet. Based on their calculations, this planet could be the size of Neptune and travel around the sun once every 10,000 to 20,000 years. Scientists named this possible planet "Planet Nine." It will only get a real name if it is actually discovered. Until then, Planet Nine will remain a mystery.

Skim the passage Planet Nine to answer the questions. Chose the best option.

Which planet is Planet Nine similar to in size?

• Netune

• Pluto

Planet Nine

[A] How many planets are there in our solar system? Earlier generations learned about nine planets that go around the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Younger generations are learning that there are only eight planets which orbit the sun. (Pluto is no longer considered a planet because it's too small. Now it's called a "dwarf planet.") What will the next generation learn?

[B] Scientists are discovering more about our solar system. But some mysteries remain. For example, are there any other planets out there? One group of scientists believes the answer is yes. They think that there is maybe another planet in our solar system. They haven't seen it yet, but they have begun searching for it with the world's strongest telescopes.

[C] What gave them this idea? To begin with, scientists look at the orbits, or circular paths, of planets and other space objects, such as asteroids. Beyond the dwarf planet Pluto, they noticed some objects that were moving in strange orbits. They wondered what caused those strange paths. One theory was that a planet caused them, a new planet. Based on their calculations, this planet could be the size of Neptune and travel around the sun once every 10,000 to 20,000 years. Scientists named this possible planet "Planet Nine." It will only get a real name if it is actually discovered. Until then, Planet Nine will remain a mystery.

Skim the passage Planet Nine to answer the questions. Chose the best option.

Do some scientists think that there are still undiscovered planets in our solar system?

• Yes

• No