Aerodynamics CTA Review

Which sentence from paragraph 4 best states the main idea of the paragraph?

• Airplanes wings are curved on the top and flatter on the bottom.

• As a result, less air pressure is on top of the wings.

• This lower pressure makes the wing, and the airplane it is attached to, move up.

• Even sailboats use this curved shape

Based on the information in the passage, which force of flight best explains why people stand still do not float off the earth's surface into space?

• lift

• weight

• thrust

• drag

Which sentence best supports the answer to the previous question?

• The amount of each force compared to its opposing force determines how an object moves through the air. (p1)

• Weight is also the downward force that an aircraft must overcome to fly. (p2)

• A hot air balloon has lift because the hot air inside is lighter than the air around it. (p3)

• This lower pressure makes the wing, and the airplane it's attached to, move up. (p4)

Match each word on the left to its definition on the right.

Which word has nearly the same meaning as opposing in the following sentence?

The amount of each force compared to its opposing force determines how an object moves through the air.

• resisting

• disputing

• mixing

• supporting

Choose a word or phrase for each blank to complete the sentences.

The ideas in the excerpt are presented {Choice 1}. The ideas are also supported through {Choice 2} and {Choice 3}.

Which statement does paragraph 7 best show?

• Only NASA scientists study aerodynamics to increase the thrust of airplanes.

• NASA plans to end the space shuttle program and replace it with other forms of travel.

• New discoveries about aerodynamics could make space missions to other planets possible.

• The conditions of the atmosphere will have not effect on space missions to Mars.

The pictures in the excerpt contribute to the overall understanding of the text by ____________ and by ____________.

• describing in further detail the principle of weight, created a detailed summary of each force

• allowing the reader to find evidence of NASA's work, providing proof of the concept of lift

• visually supporting the concepts of the four forces, supporting definitions with illustrated images

• allowing the reader to find evidence of NASA's work, supporting definitions with illustrated images

According to the passage, what are the two best reasons NASA studies aerodynamics?

• to decrease the force of drag on parachutes

• to improve different types of aircraft

• to improve a helicopter's blades

• to increase a probe's ability to study planets

• to change the shape of an aircraft's wings

Reread paragraph 4 from "What is Aerodynamics?" and then read the following paragraph. Which statement can be supported with information from both passages?

A helicopter is a type of aircraft that uses rotating, or spinning, wings called blades to fly. Unlike the airplane or glider, a helicopter has wings that move and create lift. A helicopter is heavier than air and uses an engine to fly. A helicopter's rotating blades, or rotors, allow it to do things and airplane cannot.

• A glider's ability to fly completely depends upon its overall shape.

• A helicopter's wings provide lift differently than the wings of an airplane.

• Lift for a helicopter is provided in exactly the same manner as lift for an airplane.

• The sail on a sailboat moves the boat in the same direction as a rotor moves a helicopter.