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
Which of the following best explains a primary benefit of the activity?
- A. It improves students' inferential reading comprehension.
- B. It helps students learn to integrate humor into their writing.
- C. It gives students an opportunity to work on expressing their opinions clearly.
- D. It allows students to practice communicating with diverse partners.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D highlights a primary benefit by emphasizing the importance of communication skills in diverse settings. Engaging with various partners fosters adaptability and cultural awareness, essential skills in today’s interconnected world. Option A, while valuable, focuses specifically on reading comprehension rather than the broader communication aspect. Option B narrows the focus to humor in writing, which may not be the main goal of the activity. Option C addresses opinion expression, but it does not encompass the collaborative and diverse interaction that option D provides, making it less comprehensive in capturing the activity's primary benefit.
Option D highlights a primary benefit by emphasizing the importance of communication skills in diverse settings. Engaging with various partners fosters adaptability and cultural awareness, essential skills in today’s interconnected world. Option A, while valuable, focuses specifically on reading comprehension rather than the broader communication aspect. Option B narrows the focus to humor in writing, which may not be the main goal of the activity. Option C addresses opinion expression, but it does not encompass the collaborative and diverse interaction that option D provides, making it less comprehensive in capturing the activity's primary benefit.
Which of the following words is best identified as a Tier 1 or everyday word?
- A. Shape
- B. Ecosystem
- C. Context
- D. Continent
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Tier 1 words are basic vocabulary that most people use in everyday conversation. "Shape" fits this definition as it refers to a common concept easily understood by all age groups. In contrast, "Ecosystem" (B) is a Tier 3 word often used in specific scientific contexts, making it less familiar to the general population. "Context" (C) is somewhat more common but still leans towards academic language, often requiring deeper comprehension. "Continent" (D) is a geographical term that, while known, is not used as frequently in daily interactions. Thus, "Shape" stands out as the most accessible everyday term.
Tier 1 words are basic vocabulary that most people use in everyday conversation. "Shape" fits this definition as it refers to a common concept easily understood by all age groups. In contrast, "Ecosystem" (B) is a Tier 3 word often used in specific scientific contexts, making it less familiar to the general population. "Context" (C) is somewhat more common but still leans towards academic language, often requiring deeper comprehension. "Continent" (D) is a geographical term that, while known, is not used as frequently in daily interactions. Thus, "Shape" stands out as the most accessible everyday term.
Which of the following words is best classified as domain-specific?
- A. Orange
- B. Masterpiece
- C. Friendship
- D. Precipitation
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Domain-specific vocabulary refers to terms that are specific to a particular field or subject area. "Precipitation" fits this definition as it is commonly used in meteorology and environmental science to describe forms of water, such as rain or snow, that fall from the atmosphere. In contrast, "Orange" (A) is a general term for a fruit and does not pertain to a specific domain. "Masterpiece" (B) is an artistic term but lacks the specificity tied to a particular academic or professional field. "Friendship" (C) is a broad social concept, making it applicable across various contexts rather than confined to a specific domain.
Domain-specific vocabulary refers to terms that are specific to a particular field or subject area. "Precipitation" fits this definition as it is commonly used in meteorology and environmental science to describe forms of water, such as rain or snow, that fall from the atmosphere. In contrast, "Orange" (A) is a general term for a fruit and does not pertain to a specific domain. "Masterpiece" (B) is an artistic term but lacks the specificity tied to a particular academic or professional field. "Friendship" (C) is a broad social concept, making it applicable across various contexts rather than confined to a specific domain.
Which of the following best explains how fluency can improve reading comprehension?
- A. Fluency encourages readers to focus on accuracy rather than speed.
- B. Fluency means readers can effectively process ideas in a linear order.
- C. Fluency allows readers to recognize words and understand them at the same time.
- D. Fluency helps readers concentrate on decoding words rather than understanding concepts.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Fluency enhances reading comprehension primarily by enabling readers to recognize words and understand their meanings simultaneously. This automaticity frees cognitive resources for deeper comprehension. Option A is misleading; while accuracy is important, fluency emphasizes both speed and accuracy, not prioritizing one over the other. Option B, while partially correct, oversimplifies fluency by suggesting a linear processing of ideas, which does not capture the complexity of comprehension. Option D incorrectly implies that fluency hinders understanding by focusing on decoding, whereas true fluency integrates decoding with comprehension, enhancing overall understanding.
Fluency enhances reading comprehension primarily by enabling readers to recognize words and understand their meanings simultaneously. This automaticity frees cognitive resources for deeper comprehension. Option A is misleading; while accuracy is important, fluency emphasizes both speed and accuracy, not prioritizing one over the other. Option B, while partially correct, oversimplifies fluency by suggesting a linear processing of ideas, which does not capture the complexity of comprehension. Option D incorrectly implies that fluency hinders understanding by focusing on decoding, whereas true fluency integrates decoding with comprehension, enhancing overall understanding.