Human Need to Explore Outer Space

1. The following question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A: Which statement BEST explains the main argument presented in paragraph 4 of “The Importance of Sending People to Space”?

• A. The cost of human space exploration may seem like it costs more, but it could be worth the expense.

• B. Sending human beings into space may be three times more expensive than sending robots, so it may not be worthwhile.

• C. The history of space exploration demands that humans continue to explore, regardless of the cost.

• D. Continuing to send robots into space in place of humans will ultimately result in limited knowledge.

1. Part B: Which sentence from “The Importance of Sending People to Space” BEST supports the answer to Part A?

Answer = The cost of human space exploration may seem like it costs more, but it could be worth the expense.

• A. Humans, as living things, have many needs that robots do not.

• B. Giving astronauts what they require to stay healthy in space naturally makes these kinds of missions more expensive than ones that use robots.

• C. It's vital to weigh these increased costs against the benefits.

• D. If sending one human crew to Venus could advance our knowledge of the universe as much as three robotic space missions could, even a much higher cost would be justified.

2. Which TWO sentences from “The Importance of Sending People to Space” BEST support the inference that the author would support increased funding for the space program?

• A. At the time, the hundreds of millions who watched this historic event likely thought it marked the beginning of a bold new kind of exploration.

• B. Now, though, more than 40 years later, it's robots—not astronauts—who are making most of the voyages beyond Earth's atmosphere.

• C. Maybe the reason astronauts are not able to go to these places yet is that we aren't putting enough effort into figuring out how to meet their complex needs during prolonged space missions.

• D. If sending one human crew to Venus could advance our knowledge of the universe as much as three robotic space missions could, even a much higher cost would be justified.

• E. For most, though, it's not an image of a small vehicle rolling across the surface of Mars that inspires awe and wonder.

3. Which statement identifies the effect of the Moon landing described in paragraph 1 of “The Importance of Sending People to Space” on those who witnessed it?

• A. It caused individuals to consider whether people should explore space.

• B. It caused individuals to question the money spent on space exploration.

• C. It caused individuals to predict that robots would soon go into space.

• D. It caused individuals to think about the future of space exploration.

4. Which statement BEST explains how the author uses a description of Neil Armstrong's Moon landing to persuade readers in “The Importance of Sending People to Space”?

• A. The author describes Neil Armstrong's Moon landing to show that it is possible to send humans into space.

• B. The author reminds the reader of the memorable event so they emotionally connect to the idea of human space exploration.

• C. The author contrasts the entertaining idea of humans in space with the disappointment of robots exploring space.

• D. The author uses Neil Armstrong as an example of humans achieving more than robots in space.

5. Which sentence from “The Importance of Sending People to Space” BEST supports the idea that the 1969 Moon landing was shown on television?

• A. Several generations of people have seen pictures of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the Moon in 1969.

• B. At the time, the hundreds of millions who watched this historic event likely thought it marked the beginning of a bold new kind of exploration.

• C. Perhaps they thought they would soon hear more messages from outer space.

• D. Maybe they envisioned that by the turn of the century someone would walk on the surface of Mars.

6. Which statement explains what the author means by the phrase stuff of science fiction?

Read this sentence from paragraph 2 of “The Importance of Sending People to Space.” The capabilities of the space probes and rovers we now use would have been the stuff of science fiction just a few short decades ago.

• A. People would not have believed it was possible.

• B. Scientists have worked on the ideas for years.

• C. Audiences watched the ideas in blockbuster movies.

• D. The technology was kept from the public.

7. Read this sentence from paragraph 2 of “The Importance of Sending People to Space.” They cannot make a distinction between unusual and expected observations.

Now read these dictionary entries for distinction.

distinction n. (dih-stingk-shuhn)

Which definition BEST clarifies the meaning of distinction as it is used in the sentence?

• 1. a feature that sets something apart from something else

• 2. the state of being different

• 3. the act of telling different things apart

• 4. special treatment given based on a difference

Read this paragraph from another article called “Robots: The New Space Explorers.” How does the author develop the idea that using robots can enhance our knowledge of space?

• by identifying some of the robot types that can travel into space

• by stating that robots can be programmed by their creators

• by listing some of the tasks robots are capable of performing

• by explaining that the people who design robots are very smart