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.
Which of the following statements expresses a main idea of the entire passage?
- A. When satellites stop working, they have to be moved from orbit.
- B. Satellites are sent to orbit Earth for many different purposes.
- C. After satellites are slowed down, they burn up in the atmosphere.
- D. Satellites are designed to work for only a limited amount of time.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively captures the main idea by emphasizing the necessity of relocating non-functional satellites, highlighting a critical aspect of their lifecycle. Option B, while relevant, only addresses the initial purpose of satellites rather than their entire operational journey. Option C discusses a specific consequence of satellites slowing down, which is too narrow to represent the overall theme. Option D mentions the limited lifespan of satellites but does not encompass the broader implications of their eventual decommissioning and the need for orbital management.
Option A effectively captures the main idea by emphasizing the necessity of relocating non-functional satellites, highlighting a critical aspect of their lifecycle. Option B, while relevant, only addresses the initial purpose of satellites rather than their entire operational journey. Option C discusses a specific consequence of satellites slowing down, which is too narrow to represent the overall theme. Option D mentions the limited lifespan of satellites but does not encompass the broader implications of their eventual decommissioning and the need for orbital management.
Other Related Questions
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.
The following is an advertising slogan for a company that makes home security systems. "Are you secure enough to leave home?" The slogan makes use of which of the following techniques often used in advertising to attract the reader's attention?
- A. Substituting slang for more formal expression
- B. Making an unsubstantiated claim appealing to a sense of individuality
- C. Highlighting a benefit by using an exclamatory sentence
- D. Employing wordplay based on the use of double meanings
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The slogan "Are you secure enough to leave home?" employs wordplay through its use of double meanings, effectively engaging the reader. It prompts reflection on personal security while also suggesting a deeper emotional connection to safety and freedom. Option A is incorrect as the slogan does not use slang; it maintains a formal tone. Option B misrepresents the slogan's intent; it does not make an unsubstantiated claim but rather poses a thought-provoking question. Option C is also not applicable, as the slogan is not exclamatory and does not highlight a benefit in that manner. Thus, option D accurately captures the cleverness of the slogan's wording.
The slogan "Are you secure enough to leave home?" employs wordplay through its use of double meanings, effectively engaging the reader. It prompts reflection on personal security while also suggesting a deeper emotional connection to safety and freedom. Option A is incorrect as the slogan does not use slang; it maintains a formal tone. Option B misrepresents the slogan's intent; it does not make an unsubstantiated claim but rather poses a thought-provoking question. Option C is also not applicable, as the slogan is not exclamatory and does not highlight a benefit in that manner. Thus, option D accurately captures the cleverness of the slogan's wording.
Which of the following is best described as a secondary source?
- A. A photograph collection
- B. A diary entry
- C. A transcribed speech
- D. A theater review
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
A theater review is best described as a secondary source because it analyzes and interprets a performance, relying on the reviewer’s perspective rather than providing firsthand experience. In contrast, a photograph collection (A) serves as a primary source, capturing direct visual evidence of events. A diary entry (B) also represents a primary source, offering personal insights and experiences from the writer's perspective. A transcribed speech (C) is a primary source as it records the original spoken words of the speaker. Thus, while A, B, and C present original content, D synthesizes information, making it a secondary source.
A theater review is best described as a secondary source because it analyzes and interprets a performance, relying on the reviewer’s perspective rather than providing firsthand experience. In contrast, a photograph collection (A) serves as a primary source, capturing direct visual evidence of events. A diary entry (B) also represents a primary source, offering personal insights and experiences from the writer's perspective. A transcribed speech (C) is a primary source as it records the original spoken words of the speaker. Thus, while A, B, and C present original content, D synthesizes information, making it a secondary source.
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.