Humans Should Stay Home and Let Robots Take to the Stars

Which phrase describing the author’s main purpose for writing the selection “Humans Should Stay Home and Let Robots Take to the Stars” is correctly written?

• To convince the reader that space exploration should neither be curtailed or cut because of the costs and risks

• To convince the reader that space exploration should either be curtailed nor cut because of the costs and risks

• To convince the reader that space exploration should be either curtailed or cut because of the costs and risks

• To convince the reader that space exploration should neither be curtailed nor cut because of the costs and risks

How does the author of “Humans Should Stay Home and Let Robots Take to the Stars” support the idea that space travel is more suited to robots?

• By explaining the risks to human space travelers

• By sharing the details of a new space program

• By stating the financial costs of human space travel

• By quoting experts in the field of space exploration

The author of “Humans Should Stay Home and Let Robots Take to the Stars” provides warnings about black carbon in paragraph 4 mainly to —

• use loaded language to support her argument

• use neutral facts and statistics to make a claim

• use counterarguments to give factual support

• use metaphors to explain her theories

In paragraph 7 in the article “Humans Should Stay Home and Let Robots Take to the Stars,” what rhetorical device does the author use to support her argument that space travel to Mars is dangerous for humans?

• The author uses an anecdote to support her argument.

• The author uses a logical appeal to support her argument.

• The author uses contrast to support her argument.

• The author uses a hyperbole to support her argument.

n “Mars Can Wait. Oceans Can’t.,” what details does the author use to support his claim that NASA should use robots rather than manned missions for space exploration? Choose two options.

• Robots are inexpensive to design and build.

• Robots do not have to be returned to Earth.

• Robots are more easily shielded from radiation.

• Robots interest the public more than manned missions do.

• Robots can travel more quickly than manned spacecraft can.

With which of the following statements would the author most likely agree?

• Until we find some other habitable planet, robots are best for space exploration.

• Humans do not belong in space.

• The Hubble telescope is more important than the Apollo missions.

• The Hubble telescope is more important than the Apollo missions.

Read the dictionary entry below.

default \di-'fo˙ lt\, \dē-\, \'dē-fo˙ lt\ n 1. failure to perform a task or fulfill an obligation 2. failure of a party in a case to make a required court appearance 3. the failure of one or more competitors to participate in a contest 4. a selection made usually automatically or without active consideration due to lack of a viable alternative

Which definition most closely matches the way the word default is used in paragraph 11 of “Humans Should Stay Home and Let Robots Take to the Stars”?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

[Humans Should Stay Home and Let Robots Take to the Stars] The author included the section Space Travel is Expensive to-

• offer an opposing argument for sending robots

• support the claim that space travel should be reduced

• convince readers that space travel could be cheaper

• suggest that space travel requires international cooperation

Humans Should Stay Home and Let Robots Take to the Stars The author refers to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study in paragraph 8 to support the idea that -

• humans are not suited to live on Mars

• the mars curiosity rover has had great success

• agriculture on Mars would be possible

• a colony on Mars would require a lot of food

In paragraph 10, the author offers the counterargument that -

• robotic missions are as exciting as any human missions

• the future of space travel is dependent on scientific data

• data for space travel is often out of date or not trustworthy

• robotic missions are at least as efficient as human missions