Space Exploration Should Be More Science Than Fiction

Which statement gives a reason that supports the author's point about Mars rovers?

• A science station has a lot of capabilities.

• Vehicles like Curiosity are well-suited for exploring Mars.

• Mars rovers must be able to collect data and send it to Earth.

• Curiosity has human-like traits that will help people travel to Mars.

Choose all the evidence that best supports your answer in Part A.

Supporters of Mars exploration also point out that, as a vehicle, Curiosity can do much more than a science station that's fixed in one place. Curiosity moves- or roves- across the surface of Mars, collecting information as it goes. Its "eyes" are 17 cameras that can see and analyze the landscape. The rover's "feet" are its wheels. Those wheels roll over obstacles as high as 2.5 feet. The robot's "ears" hear commands relayed from NASA.

• Curiosity moves or roves across the surface of Mars, collecting information as it goes.

• It's "eyes" are 17 cameras that can see and analyze the landscape.

• The rover's "feet" are its wheels.

• Those wheels roll over obstacles as high as 2.5 feet.

• The robot's "ears" hear commands relayed from NASA.

Read the sentence from the passage.

Should the exploration of Mars continue, despite the staggering cost?

What does the suffix -ation mean in the word exploration?

• state of

• result of

• result of

• process of

Which detail is a reason that best supports the author's main point?

• "Some scientists claim that within 40 years, humans will be living on Mars."

• "Curiosity also has a laser that can analyze the chemicals in soil and rocks."

• "During its first 100 days on Mars, the rover detected water in the planet's soil."

• "Mars rovers may provide knowledge that is key to understanding our own universe."

What reasons do supporters of space exploration give to explain why sending rovers to Mars is important? Choose three reasons.

• They can learn how to prepare for people to go to Mars.

• They can find ways to use money and resources to build new rovers.

• They can stream data from Mars back to Earth on a regular basis.

• They can use knowledge of changes on Mars to understand our planet.

• They can search for evidence of life beyond Earth.