Danger! This mission to Mars can bore you to death

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 project?

• They are testing a variety of rockets and engines to determine which will perform best in space.

• 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.

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What makes the trip to Mars especially challenging for astronauts, as explained in "Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!"?

• 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.

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What happens to the human brain when a person is bored for long periods of time, according to “Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!”? Choose two options.

• It sleeps.

• It daydreams.

• It gains intelligence.

• It becomes depressed.

• It becomes unconscious.

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According to "Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!" why might chronic boredom be dangerous on a space mission?

• 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.

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According to “Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!” what is one way that astronauts can combat extreme boredom when living in an isolated environment?

• by eating and drinking more often

• by counting the days until they go home

• by occupying themselves with a lot of work

• by communicating continuously with people

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Which of the following is the best definition of chronic?

• continuing for a long time

• originating in the brain

• causing physical pain

• existing since birth

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If Sofia’s leg injury can correctly be described as excruciatingly painful, then which of the following must be true? Base your answer on the meaning of excruciatingly.

• 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.

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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

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Read this passage from “Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!”

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

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The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A

Which statement best describes why boredom becomes a problem during periods of inactivity in space, according to "Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!"?

• the brain wants something to do.

• the body loses physical functions.

• Astronauts lose interest in the mission.

• Astronauts become argumentative and uncooperative.

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