Humans Need to Explore Outer Space by Claudia Alarcón

What reason does the author of “Humans Need to Explore Outer Space” give in

paragraph 6 to support her claim that space exploration should continue?

• It is important to support technological advances in electronics.

• Recent geological surveys show that water exists on the moon.

• Helium-3 is an element needed for research in nuclear fusion.

• Mining in space could be a source for useful materials.

Which of the following words with similar meanings from “Humans Need to Explore Outer Space” has

the most negative connotation?

• impossible (paragraph 3)

• problematic (paragraph 10)

• risky (paragraph 11)

• difficult (paragraph 12)

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a subordinating conjunction to combine the sentences below

into a complex sentence.

The cold war ended. Then space exploration became a collaborative effort.

• The cold war ended because space exploration became a collaborative effort.

• The cold war ended; space exploration became a collaborative effort.

• After the cold war ended, space exploration became a collaborative effort.

• After the cold war ended, and space exploration became a collaborative effort.

Read the sentence from paragraph 3 of “Let Robots Take to the Stars.”

Would you want to trust a scientific mission to the people who run reality TV?

The tone of this rhetorical question suggests that trusting a scientific mission to the people who run

reality TV would be —

• appropriate

• ridiculous

• smart

• risky

Choose the word or phrase that ensures subject-verb agreement in the underlined section in the

sentence below.

Although the Cassini spacecraft ended its journey in 2017, it continue to provide benefits to scientists.

• do continue

• continuing

• continues

• correct as is

Which two phrases describe ideas that are explored in both selections?

• Using science and technology in space exploration

• Limiting space exploration and reducing costs

• Redesigning the space program and accommodating tourists

• Understanding the benefits and objectives of space exploration

• Identifying the risks and rewards of space exploration

This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A

Which statement is a claim that both authors make to support their respective points of view?

• Space travel is one of the most innovative human ideas thus far.

• Space travel is as risky as climbing Mount Everest or flying a plane.

• A lot of money and time has already been spent on space exploration.

• Private companies can help support space exploration in the future.

Part B

Which two quotes from “Humans Need to Explore Outer Space” best support the answer to Part A?

• With so much human investment made, we must go forward, fully embracing space exploration as

  an important priority. (paragraph 1)

• There are dozens of private companies in the industry known informally as “New Space.”

  (paragraph 3)

• Technological innovations are developing to allow us to venture even farther into space.

  (paragraph 4)

• This exploration phase aims to discover the possibilities for past or present life on the Red Planet.

  (paragraph 8)

• The final frontier is a vast and dangerous place, difficult and expensive to explore. (paragraph 12)

How do the authors of “Humans Need to Explore Outer Space” and “Let Robots Take to the

Stars” use rhetoric to support their arguments? Cite evidence from both selections to support

your answer.

• “With all these advances and

  technologies in place and in development,

  will we see a human colony on the moon or

  on Mars in our lifetime?” Eiren Caffall also

  asks rhetorical questions in her argument.

  In the final paragraph, for example, she

  asks, “Without space travel as the default

  idea for our future, what new ideas might

  lead to amazing discoveries and

  inventions?”

• In both selections, the

  authors ask rhetorical questions to make

  their arguments. Claudia Alarcón begins her

  argument with three rhetorical questions,

  asking, “What is out there? Are we alone in

  the universe? Are there inhabitable planets

  in our galaxy and beyond?” She continues

  that technique throughout the piece, later

  asking,

• all

president’s

• administrations

• prominent

• beneficial