Space Junk

24. What is the main idea of the text?

• Scientists are removing space junk using magnets and jet packs.

• Space agencies are tracking thousands of pieces of space junk surrounding Earth.

• Scientists are working on different ways to clean the space junk surrounding Earth.

• Humans have created space junk by launching thousands of satellites into space.

Part A

25. What is the meaning of the word shattering in paragraph 4?

• breaking

• lifting

• spinning

• stopping

Part B 26. Which phrase from paragraph 4 best supports the answer in Part A?

• “At that speed…

• “…into thousands of smaller pieces.”

• “…now a danger.”

• “The more crowded space gets…”

27. How do traffic computers help spacecraft in space?

• They help spacecraft clean up old satellites.

• They help spacecraft predict the weather.

• They help spacecraft collect space junk in nets

• They help spacecraft avoid getting hit by space junk.

Part A 28. How do solar sails prevent satellites from becoming space junk?

• They wrap around the satellites, and then they burn them up.

• They lower the speeds of satellites, causing them to drop to Earth.

• They use thrusters to push the satellites away from Earth.

• They use lasers to break the satellites into smaller pieces.

Part B 29. Which quotation from the text best supports the answer in Part A?

• “Finally, it releases the satellite, setting it into orbit around the Earth about 12,500 miles (20,000 km) up.” (paragraph 1)

• “This will slow the satellite so it falls toward Earth.” (paragraph 7)

• “Scientists are targeting the largest pieces of junk first.” (paragraph 9)

• “It will seek out a bit of space junk, wrap around, and then power itself down to burn up in the atmosphere.” (paragraph 10)

30. What does the author mean by the phrase “reel it in” in paragraph 8?

• break it apart

• bring it closer

• cover it up

• send it down

31. What is the purpose of the subheadings in the text?

• They describe what can be viewed in the images.

• They provide the meanings of key words.

• They link the reader to websites about the topic

• They organize the text into different sections.

32. Which two quotations from the text support the author’s point that space junk is dangerous?

• “The rest are old satellites, rocket stages, and other debris.” (paragraph 3)

• “The more crowded space gets, the more likely collisions will be.” (paragraph 4)

• “They warn spacecraft to move if it looks like something might hit them.” (paragraph 5)

• “Meanwhile, scientists around the world are trying to think of ways to clean up old satellites.” (paragraph 6)

• “Once the object hits Earth’s atmosphere, friction will cause it to burn up safely.” (paragraph 6)

33. How will the “Brane Craft” work?

• The “Brane Craft” will collide into space junk and turn it into smaller pieces.

• The “Brane Craft” will catch space junk with a harpoon and use thrusters to send it far away.

• The “Brane Craft” will collect space junk with magnets and return it to Earth.

• The “Brane Craft” will wrap around space junk and bring it to Earth’s atmosphere to burn up.