The Early Space Race

A

1

Why couldn’t land-based optical and radio telescopes provide completely accurate information?

Interference from Earth’s atmosphere prevented scientists from obtaining accurate information. (Lines 4–7)

2

How did Sputnik I affect the United States’ space program?

It pushed the United States to become more active in space exploration, helping begin the space race. (Lines 10–12)

3

How did space probes compare with satellites?

Although satellites were useful for acquiring information, space probes were even more productive. (Lines 18–19)

4

Why did the United States take thousands of detailed pictures of the Moon?

The pictures provided humans with abundant information about the Moon. (Lines 27–28)

B

1

What major breakthrough occurred in 1957?

The USSR launched Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite. (Lines 8–9)

2

Why did the USSR send a dog aboard its second satellite?

Scientists wanted to record physiological data from a living creature in space and determine whether humans could make the journey. (Lines 13–15)

3

How did technological improvements change space probes?

They allowed probes to make soft landings, perform more precise maneuvers, take pictures, and transmit them before crashing into the Moon. (Lines 22–24)

4

What goal did both countries pursue, and which country achieved it?

Both countries attempted to put a person on the Moon, but only the United States succeeded. (Lines 29–31)

C

1

What kinds of information did Sputnik I transmit?

It transmitted information about cosmic rays, meteoroids, temperature, and air density. (Lines 9–10)

2

What was the purpose of Explorer I?

It began the United States’ effort to gather information about outer space using satellites. (Lines 15–17)

3

How were the Soviet Luna probes different from the American Surveyor probes?

The Luna probes arrived several months earlier, but the Surveyor probes collected more detailed data. (Lines 24–27)

4

“Although these accumulated valuable data, interference from Earth’s atmosphere prevented scientists from obtaining accurate information.”

A. Telescopes could not collect any useful information because they were damaged by Earth’s atmosphere.
B. Telescopes collected useful data, but Earth’s atmosphere made the information less accurate.
C. Scientists used Earth’s atmosphere to gather accurate information through telescopes.
D. Earth’s atmosphere prevented scientists from using optical and radio telescopes.

B