What the Moon Rocks Tell Us Quiz

Read these sentences. “When we opened that first box of moon rocks, the hushed, expectant atmosphere in the Lunar Receiving Laboratory was, I imagine, like that in a medieval monastery as the monks awaited the arrival of a fragment of the True Cross.” How does the author’s use of a simile in paragraph 1 establish the purpose of the text? (R.2.3)

• It emphasizes the importance of the lunar research for NASA.

• It compares the dedication of NASA to the dedication of monks.

• It highlights the age of the moon rock in comparison to the Cross.

• It shows the inexperience of the NASA scientists during the time period.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Read the excerpt: “But later, when the dust was cleaned off and the minerals could be clearly seen, the rocks began to tell their story. It was a story full of surprises. It revealed that no one had been totally right in his ideas of the moon, and it raised more questions than it answered.” What is the author’s purpose for paragraph 5? (R.2.1)

• to show the necessity of researching moon rocks

• to show the confirmed hypothesis of the scientists

• to show the doubts that NASA had about the moon before seeing moon rocks

• to show the way moon rocks have led to important advancements in planetary travels

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RI.8.6

Read these sentences from the text. “To test for pathogens, or disease-causing agents, biologists inoculated 200 germ-free mice with finely ground particles of lunar material.” Using context and connotation strategies, determine the meaning of the word “inoculated” as it is used in paragraph 6.

• to wash

• to infect

• to inject

• to release

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.8.4B

CCSS.RI.8.4

Why does the author reference Pandora’s box (an allusion) in paragraph 6?

• to inspire morality in the reader by suggesting that the opening of the box created a major dilemma

• to highlight his credibility in the field of science by suggesting that the box of rocks belonged to a scientist named Pandora

• to provide a logical explanation by suggesting that the findings did not create complicated problems as the scientist originally imagined

• to evoke an emotional response in the reader by suggesting that the rock sample containers were not filled with silver bracelets and charms from the moon as they thought they would be

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.9

How does the structure of paragraph 6 convey meaning in the text?

• It highlights the insignificant results from the experiment.

• It changes the rhythm and flow of the article for the reader’s enjoyment.

• It demonstrates a synthesis of ideas on the moon rocks from the scientist’s perspective.

• It uses a first-person point of view to better understand the main scientist’s perspective.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.5

Read these sentences from the text.

“Sometime in January, the lunar scientists will gather to report the story of the first moon samples in formal detail. Meanwhile, here are the preliminary highlights, based on interviews with a number of scientists:” (paragraph 1)

Examine the Latin word parts: 

preliminary

prae-  for “before”

limen for "threshold"

-ary suffix forming adjectives

Based on its root, what is the meaning of preliminary in this context? (V.1.2)

• least important

• based on hunches

• initial and not yet complete

• requiring more time to study

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.8.4B

CCSS.RI.8.4

How does the author use the appeal to logic (logos) to achieve purpose in the passage? (R.2.3)

• He shows the problems that can be solved by researching the moon.

• He provides the history of NASA and how they have improved society.

• He compares the importance of studying moon rocks to the Apollo 11 mission.

• He gives interviews with scientists about the new information studying moon rocks has revealed.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.SL.8.3

CCSS.W.8.1B

 Read these sentences.

“As new samples come back from succeeding Apollo flights—eight more are scheduled after Apollo 12—scientists will have their hands full comparing the maria with one another, and the maria materials with those from the highlands.”

What appeal is made when the author says that “scientists will have their hands full comparing the maria with one another”(idiom)? (R.3.4)

• It appeals to the emotions of the audience, by showing the playfulness of the astronauts.

• It appeals to the credibility of the author, by showing the research from the Apollo flights.

• It appeals to the logic of the reader, by showing the amount of information moon rocks can provide.

• It appeals to the motivation of the scientists, by showing their desire to continue space exploration.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.8.5A

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

How does the author develop the central ideas within the text? (R.2.2)

• using facts and statistics from previous moon rock discoveries to explain the findings

• using anecdotes to describe the experience of each scientist involved in the experiment

• using flashbacks to expose the reader to highlights of the space exploration on the moon

• using expert opinions to ground the findings and hypothesis of the lunar experiment

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2