"Let Robots Take to the Stars"

What type of writing is this story?

• narrative

• expository

• persuasive

• personal

What is the author's central claim made in Paragraph 1?

• The lure of human space travel is undeniable

• We've all grown up on endless types of entertainment set in the future that portray adventures on distant planets

• Our notions about the inevitability and wonder of human space travel need to be checked, and any plans need to be reconsidered.

• Imagine yourself as an astronaut, a part of the first manned mission to Mars.

What are some counter-arguments the author gives about NOT exploring space?

• economic issues

• human cost/fatalities

• technology just isn't there

• all of the above

In Paragraph 5, what is an opposing viewpoint offered by the author?

• Many space boosters are suggesting that being able to leave our planet once it's exhausted of resources is a priority.

• They seem to be proposing that we have some sort of Plan B.

• Somehow they think that a colony on Mars or the moon could take pressure off our world.

• Many of these people planning to profit from two things at once are also fans of the dubious technology of geoenginerring.

Which of the vocabulary words fits the context of this sentence?

EX: She was _____________ about passing the test since she hadn't studied at all.

• plague

• dubious

• erupt

• administration

What is one argument against manned colonization of Mars?

• robots would be better suited to the environment

• men and women would have cabin fever

• Earth would constantly be sending resupply materials to the colonists

• none of the above

According to the author, what is one environmental risk of space travel?

• carbon emissions

• black carbon from rocket exhaust deposited in the outer atmosphere

• suborbital tourist craft from New York to London

• black smoke from diesel trucks

According to the author, what is one economic negative to space travel?

• it is extremely expensive

• it would take one trillion dollars over a twenty-five year period

• it's a high-dollar risk for most governments

• all of the above

According to the author, what is the main issue with governments relying on private companies for help in exploring space?

• it's too much power for one company to have

• governments don't trust private companies

• private companies are concerned with profits and not practicality

• private companies could help the government

According to the author, what would be the purpose of a Planet B?

• a multi-verse

• a planet to colonize once the resources of Earth have been exhausted

• a place where we can send robots to explore space

• Mars is Planet B