Unit 3, Week 3 Reading Assessment

The MAIN idea of the article is...

• Mars is very similar to Earth.

• NASA has had many missions to Mars.

• plants and animals cannot survive on Mars.

• scientists still have a lot to learn about Mars.

Read this sentence from the article.

After all, it is close to Earth and can be easily seen with a telescope.

The word easily means “done with ease.” What is an example of something done noisily?

• a parade

• studying for a test

• a trip to the library

• taking a tour of a museum

Read this sentence from the article.

Now most experts firmly believe that there was water on Mars long ago.

To firmly believe something means you are

• angry about it.

• happy about it.

• certain about it.

• confused about it.

What is the MAIN idea of the third paragraph on page 145?

• Dust storms on Mars can dim the sun’s light.

• Mars is the coldest planet in the solar system.

• Dust storms on Mars can last for many months.

• Dust and cold temperatures on Mars make life there difficult.

Read this sentence from the article.

It would be hard for living things to breathe or see in such a dusty place.

The suffix -y means “full of.” Which answer choice uses -y in the same way as dusty?

• any

• chunky

• factory

• toy

The MAIN responsibility of NASA is to...

• study rocks and soil from Mars.

• study the weather patterns on Mars.

• research and develop new spacecraft.

• discover if water exists on other planets.

Read this sentence from the article.

It is a rocky planet that has valleys, hills, and plains.

The suffix -y means “full of.” A rocky hill is one that contains many...

• stones

• ponds

• streams

• trees

Read these sentences from the article.

With the Mars Polar Lander gone, NASA had to go back to the drawing board. It ended up sending two robots to Mars in 2004.

What does go back to the drawing board mean?

• to give up

• to plan ahead

• to begin again

• to sketch maps

Which of the following details would BEST support the MAIN idea of the third paragraph on page 146?

• The robots picked up soil and rocks.

• NASA sent two robots to Mars in 2004.

• NASA tested materials to see what they were made of.

• The robots’ mission was to move around and take photographs.

Which text evidence BEST shows that the author believes the Mars exploration will be successful?

• The first spacecraft fl ew to Mars in 1975.

• They also wanted to know if any plants or animals had ever lived there.

• With the Mars Polar Lander gone, NASA had to go back to the drawing board.

• Spirit and Opportunity have collected many details about this mysterious planet.