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 students can best be described as establishing guidelines for which of the following?
- A. Individual accountability
- B. Dynamic oral presentations
- C. Metacognitive reflection
- D. Effective collaboration
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Establishing guidelines primarily relates to fostering a collaborative environment, making effective collaboration the best choice. This involves setting expectations for teamwork, communication, and shared responsibilities among students. Option A, individual accountability, focuses on personal responsibility rather than group dynamics. Option B, dynamic oral presentations, emphasizes presentation skills rather than collaborative processes. Option C, metacognitive reflection, pertains to individual thinking about one’s learning, which does not directly involve establishing guidelines for group interactions. Thus, D aligns most closely with the concept of creating a framework for teamwork.
Establishing guidelines primarily relates to fostering a collaborative environment, making effective collaboration the best choice. This involves setting expectations for teamwork, communication, and shared responsibilities among students. Option A, individual accountability, focuses on personal responsibility rather than group dynamics. Option B, dynamic oral presentations, emphasizes presentation skills rather than collaborative processes. Option C, metacognitive reflection, pertains to individual thinking about one’s learning, which does not directly involve establishing guidelines for group interactions. Thus, D aligns most closely with the concept of creating a framework for teamwork.
The theme of the passage can best be identified as which of the following?
- A. Destiny
- B. Religion
- C. Creation
- D. Family
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The theme of the passage centers on the concept of creation, exploring how various elements come together to form a cohesive whole. This focus on the origins and processes of creation highlights the intricacies involved in bringing ideas or beings into existence. Option A, Destiny, does not align with the passage's emphasis on the act of creation itself. Option B, Religion, may touch on aspects of creation but does not encapsulate the primary theme as effectively. Option D, Family, while significant, is not the central focus; the passage prioritizes the broader idea of creation over familial relationships.
The theme of the passage centers on the concept of creation, exploring how various elements come together to form a cohesive whole. This focus on the origins and processes of creation highlights the intricacies involved in bringing ideas or beings into existence. Option A, Destiny, does not align with the passage's emphasis on the act of creation itself. Option B, Religion, may touch on aspects of creation but does not encapsulate the primary theme as effectively. Option D, Family, while significant, is not the central focus; the passage prioritizes the broader idea of creation over familial relationships.
Which of the following visual literacy elements in a textbook is best suited to assist a beginning reader in understanding the water cycle?
- A. A labeled diagram of the cycle depicting a familiar landscape
- B. A vocabulary word bank with key terms of the cycle defined in detail
- C. A timeline showing the length of time for each stage of the cycle
- D. A detailed illustration with descriptions of separate stages of the cycle
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
A labeled diagram of the water cycle depicting a familiar landscape effectively aids beginning readers by providing a visual representation that connects new concepts to their everyday experiences. This familiarity enhances comprehension. In contrast, a vocabulary word bank (Option B) may overwhelm young learners with definitions, making it harder to grasp the overall concept. A timeline (Option C) focuses on duration rather than the cyclical nature of the process, which could confuse beginners. Lastly, a detailed illustration with descriptions (Option D) may contain too much information, complicating understanding instead of simplifying it.
A labeled diagram of the water cycle depicting a familiar landscape effectively aids beginning readers by providing a visual representation that connects new concepts to their everyday experiences. This familiarity enhances comprehension. In contrast, a vocabulary word bank (Option B) may overwhelm young learners with definitions, making it harder to grasp the overall concept. A timeline (Option C) focuses on duration rather than the cyclical nature of the process, which could confuse beginners. Lastly, a detailed illustration with descriptions (Option D) may contain too much information, complicating understanding instead of simplifying it.