The following passage is titled "Where Do Old Satellites Go When They Die?" by NASA. Like every other machine, satellites do not last forever. Whether their job is to observe weather, measure greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, or point away from Earth to study the stars, eventually all satellites grow old, wear out, and die, just like old washing machines and vacuum cleaners. So what happens when a trusty satellite's time has come? These days there are two choices, depending on how high the satellite is. For the closer satellites, engineers will use its last bit of fuel to slow it down. That way, it will fall out of orbit and burn up in the atmosphere. The second choice is to send the satellite even farther away from Earth. It can take a lot of fuel for a satellite to slow down enough to fall back into the atmosphere. That is especially true if a satellite is in a very high orbit. For many of these high satellites, it takes less fuel to blast it farther into space than to send it back to Earth.
The author supports the claim that satellites do not last forever through the use of which of the following?
- A. An anecdote about why satellites stop working when they do
- B. Examples of the ways satellites stop working over time
- C. A comparison of satellites to other common machines that stop working
- D. Suggestions for ways to keep satellites working over time
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The author effectively demonstrates that satellites do not last forever by comparing them to other common machines that also have limited lifespans. This comparison highlights the inevitability of wear and tear in technology, providing a relatable context for readers. Option A, an anecdote, may illustrate a specific instance but lacks the broader applicability needed to support the claim. Option B provides examples of satellite failures but does not frame them within a comparative context that strengthens the argument. Option D suggests preventive measures but does not address the inherent limitations of satellites, which is central to the claim.
The author effectively demonstrates that satellites do not last forever by comparing them to other common machines that also have limited lifespans. This comparison highlights the inevitability of wear and tear in technology, providing a relatable context for readers. Option A, an anecdote, may illustrate a specific instance but lacks the broader applicability needed to support the claim. Option B provides examples of satellite failures but does not frame them within a comparative context that strengthens the argument. Option D suggests preventive measures but does not address the inherent limitations of satellites, which is central to the claim.
Other Related Questions
Which TWO of the following words feature an open syllabication pattern?
- A. Happen
- B. Robot
- C. Sunlight
- D. Artist
- E. Silent
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B,E
Open syllabication occurs when a syllable ends in a vowel, allowing the vowel to be pronounced with a long sound. Option B, "Robot," has two open syllables: "Ro" and "bot." Each syllable ends with a vowel, making the vowel sounds long. Option E, "Silent," also features an open syllable with "Si" (the first syllable) ending in a vowel, allowing for the long vowel sound. Option A, "Happen," has a closed syllable ("hap") where the vowel is short. Option C, "Sunlight," has a closed first syllable ("sun"). Option D, "Artist," contains a closed syllable ("art"), resulting in a short vowel sound.
Open syllabication occurs when a syllable ends in a vowel, allowing the vowel to be pronounced with a long sound. Option B, "Robot," has two open syllables: "Ro" and "bot." Each syllable ends with a vowel, making the vowel sounds long. Option E, "Silent," also features an open syllable with "Si" (the first syllable) ending in a vowel, allowing for the long vowel sound. Option A, "Happen," has a closed syllable ("hap") where the vowel is short. Option C, "Sunlight," has a closed first syllable ("sun"). Option D, "Artist," contains a closed syllable ("art"), resulting in a short vowel sound.
Once a writer enters the intermediate, or syllables and affixes, stage of spelling development, which of the following proficiencies becomes evident?
- A. Using rules to accurately add inflectional endings to words
- B. Making a clear distinction between writing and drawing
- C. Correctly writing words that possess r-controlled vowel sounds
- D. Accurately spelling words with consonants in various positions
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
In the intermediate stage of spelling development, writers begin to understand and apply spelling rules, particularly for inflectional endings, such as -ed and -ing. This proficiency reflects their growing grasp of morphological structures in language. Option B, while important, pertains more to early literacy skills and does not specifically relate to spelling development at this stage. Option C focuses on r-controlled vowels, which may be addressed in earlier stages rather than the intermediate phase. Option D involves consonant positioning, which is also a foundational skill but does not highlight the specific rule-based approach that characterizes the intermediate stage.
In the intermediate stage of spelling development, writers begin to understand and apply spelling rules, particularly for inflectional endings, such as -ed and -ing. This proficiency reflects their growing grasp of morphological structures in language. Option B, while important, pertains more to early literacy skills and does not specifically relate to spelling development at this stage. Option C focuses on r-controlled vowels, which may be addressed in earlier stages rather than the intermediate phase. Option D involves consonant positioning, which is also a foundational skill but does not highlight the specific rule-based approach that characterizes the intermediate stage.
Which of the following words would best be characterized as a Tier 3 vocabulary word?
- A. Family
- B. Gallop
- C. Peninsula
- D. Walk
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Tier 3 vocabulary words are specific, domain-related terms that are often used in particular contexts or subjects. "Peninsula" fits this category as it refers to a geographical feature, making it relevant in discussions about geography or earth sciences. In contrast, "Family" (A) is a common term used across various contexts, lacking the specificity of Tier 3 words. "Gallop" (B) and "Walk" (D) describe general actions and are more commonly used in everyday language, thus categorizing them as Tier 1 or Tier 2 vocabulary. Therefore, "Peninsula" is the most specialized term among the options.
Tier 3 vocabulary words are specific, domain-related terms that are often used in particular contexts or subjects. "Peninsula" fits this category as it refers to a geographical feature, making it relevant in discussions about geography or earth sciences. In contrast, "Family" (A) is a common term used across various contexts, lacking the specificity of Tier 3 words. "Gallop" (B) and "Walk" (D) describe general actions and are more commonly used in everyday language, thus categorizing them as Tier 1 or Tier 2 vocabulary. Therefore, "Peninsula" is the most specialized term among the options.
I got my parrot Rosie last year, she is green and yellow and can talk. The sentence contains which of the following errors?
- A. Misplaced modifier
- B. Comma splice
- C. Unclear pronoun reference
- D. Inconsistent verb tense
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The sentence contains a comma splice, which occurs when two independent clauses are improperly joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. In this case, the phrases "I got my parrot Rosie last year" and "she is green and yellow and can talk" should be connected with a conjunction or separated into distinct sentences. Option A, misplaced modifier, is incorrect as the modifiers accurately describe the subject. Option C, unclear pronoun reference, does not apply here since "she" clearly refers to "Rosie." Option D, inconsistent verb tense, is also not an issue; both clauses maintain a consistent past and present tense.
The sentence contains a comma splice, which occurs when two independent clauses are improperly joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. In this case, the phrases "I got my parrot Rosie last year" and "she is green and yellow and can talk" should be connected with a conjunction or separated into distinct sentences. Option A, misplaced modifier, is incorrect as the modifiers accurately describe the subject. Option C, unclear pronoun reference, does not apply here since "she" clearly refers to "Rosie." Option D, inconsistent verb tense, is also not an issue; both clauses maintain a consistent past and present tense.