Vocabulary and context clues
Which phrase from paragraph 6 best supports the meaning of "abrasion"?
A “...sudden decompression...”
B “...major emergency...”
C “...immediate termination...”
D “...small tear.”
D. "small tear"
Which quote illustrates the potential benefits of the Biosuit?
A. “For the past dozen years, I have been working with colleagues and students here at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and with collaborators in various disciplines from around the world to develop a new kind of spacesuit.” (paragraph 1)
B. “The skintight suit would allow for a degree of mobility impossible in a gas-filled suit.” (paragraph 6)
C. “In the late nineties, colleagues and I revived Webb’s innovation and began work on second-skin spacesuit designs.” (paragraph 8)
D “Tremendous challenges remain before we can vacuum test a complete BioSuit, and that will be only one step on the road to an operational system that astronauts could wear in space.” (paragraph 11)
B. “The skintight suit would allow for a degree of mobility impossible in a gas-filled suit.” (paragraph 6)
How does the author develop the central idea that the BioSuit is an improvement from the current gas-filled spacesuits?
A by clarifying that astronauts have provided input on the design of the BioSuit
B by describing the appearance and cost of the BioSuit
C by emphasizing that the BioSuit is flexible and easily repaired
D by explaining the thorough testing that the BioSuit will undergo
C. by emphasizing that the BioSuit is flexible and easily repaired
What is the effect of describing current spacesuits as “stiff balloons” (paragraph 4)?
A. It highlights their light weight.
B. It emphasizes their awkward rigidity.
C. It shows their affordability.
D. It praises their protective qualities.
B. It emphasizes their awkward rigidity.
How does the author introduce the concept of the BioSuit in the “Beyond the Balloon” section?
A by acknowledging the financial costs of constructing new spacesuits
B by clarifying where spacesuits have been worn and by whom
C by describing the inspiration behind the design of the spacesuits
D by explaining the functions of spacesuits and their current limitations
D. by explaining the functions of spacesuits and their current limitations
In paragraph 13, the author states,
“we haven’t found any deal breakers; our results suggest that the BioSuit is technically feasible.”
What does the word “feasible” most likely mean as used here?
A. Guaranteed
B. Possible
C. Partial
D. Risky
Which quote illustrates the potential benefits of the Biosuit?
A.The BioSuit is based on the idea that there is another way to apply the necessary pressure to an astronaut’s body. (paragraph 6)
B. "My hope is that the astronauts who someday walk on the surface of Mars will be protected by a future version of what we are calling the “BioSuit.” (paragraph 2)
C.“A really practical BioSuit would be one the wearer could don and doff herself in, say, less than ten minutes.” (paragraph 7)
D “Tremendous challenges remain before we can vacuum test a complete BioSuit, and that will be only one step on the road to an operational system that astronauts could wear in space.” (paragraph 11)
C.“A really practical BioSuit would be one the wearer could don and doff herself in, say, less than ten minutes.” (paragraph 7)
Which statement expresses a central idea of the passage?
A. Spacesuits are extremely costly to design and test.
B. The BioSuit may overcome the limitations of traditional gas-filled suits.
C. The BioSuit will certainly replace all spacesuits within three years.
D. Spacesuits are best built by private companies rather than universities.
B. The BioSuit may overcome the limitations of traditional gas-filled suits.
In paragraph 11, the phrase “within striking distance” conveys the team’s—
A. doubt about the BioSuit’s potential.
B. frustration with their slow progress.
C. optimism about nearing their goal.
D. confidence that challenges are unimportant.
C. optimism about nearing their goal.
How does the author develop the idea that traditional spacesuits limit astronaut mobility?
A. By citing statistics about injuries caused by stiff suits
B. By explaining the challenges astronauts face while on missions in their current suits
C. By emphasizing that astronauts prefer not to wear the suits for long periods
D. By explaining that NASA discontinued their use for space missions
B. By explaining the challenges astronauts face while on missions in their current suits
What is the meaning of "disciplines" as it is used in paragraph 1?
a. rules
b. directions
c. subjects
d. professionals
C. subjects
Which quotation provides evidence that the BioSuit could increase astronaut efficiency?
A. “We are within striking distance of our pressure goal.”
B. “If we send humans to Mars, we will want to maximize the work effort and science return.”
C. “The wearer needed help getting Webb’s prototype suit on and off.”
D. “Students have been part of the core team from the beginning.”
B. “If we send humans to Mars, we will want to maximize the work effort and science return.”
How does paragraph 6 contribute to the development of the central idea?
A. It explains the historical origin of spacesuit technology.
B. It emphasizes the importance of student involvement in testing.
C. It describes the funding needed to complete the BioSuit.
D. It shows how the BioSuit solves problems with safety and mobility.
D. It shows how the BioSuit solves problems with safety and mobility.
What tone does the author create by including statements such as, “we even need to be willing to accept evidence that our idea won’t work”?
A.Humble
B. Defensive
C. Arrogant
D. Carefree
A.Humble
What role does Dr. Paul Webb’s work play in the development of the BioSuit?
A. It demonstrates how early attempts at mechanical counter-pressure suits failed permanently.
B. It serves as the foundation for improvements made possible by new materials.
C. It illustrates the importance of government funding for future suits.
D. It shows how the BioSuit’s design completely rejects past concepts.
B. It serves as the foundation for improvements made possible by new materials.
Which phrase best helps convey the meaning of "rigidity" as it is used in paragarph 2?
a. "stiff balloons"
b. "necessary pressure"
c. "greatest problem"
d. "especially challenging"
Which sentence best supports the author’s belief that the BioSuit could soon be tested?
A. “So far, we have been testing leg prototypes in a vacuum chamber at MIT.”
B. “Advanced materials that could exert the necessary pressure on the skin were not available then.”
C. “We even need to be willing to accept evidence that our idea won’t work.”
D. “The large backpack that supplies oxygen tends to unbalance astronauts.”
A. “So far, we have been testing leg prototypes in a vacuum chamber at MIT.”
What is the central idea of the "learning together" section?
a. The biosuit is being constructed and tested by one group of engineers at MIT.
b. The biosuit is modeled after motorcycle racing "leathers"
c. The biosuit has received funding from multiple groups that work to test the suit.
d. The biosuit solves many problems that typical astronaut suits cause for wearers.
c. The biosuit has received funding from multiple groups that work to test the suit.
What tone is created from the use of first-person pronouns (I, we, our, etc.) throughout the passage?
A. Indifference
B. Professionalism
C. Judgement
D. Dedication
D. Dedication
How does the author show that collaboration is essential to the BioSuit’s progress?
A. By naming the companies, engineers, and students who contribute to the design
B. By describing how astronauts train together before using the BioSuit
C. By stating that MIT alone had enough expertise to build the BioSuit
D. By explaining that NASA restricted outside input for security reasons
A. By naming the companies, engineers, and students who contribute to the design