BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 464

Table of Contents

IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 464 – PASSAGE – 3

IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – 464

READING PASSAGE – 3

TYPES OF SPACE EXPLORATION

Space exploration is the use of astronomy and space technology to explore outer space. Space exploration, like its classical form astronomy, is one of the main sources for space science. While the observation of objects in space, known as astronomy, predates reliable recorded history, it was the development of large and relatively efficient rockets during the mid- twentieth century that allowed physical space exploration to become a reality.

Flyby Space Missions

It is a space mission where a spacecraft passes by a celestial object but isn’t held in orbit by it. As the spacecraft passes by, it uses its instruments to observe its target and it sends the information it collects back to Earth. So, this is like a private detective or an eye zooming past a target to take a few pictures to scope out the place they’re going to spy on later in more detail.

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But the private detective doesn’t stop, nor does he circle around; he just keeps going past the target. One advantage of a flyby mission is that it is used as a quick initial reconnaissance of something that may later be explored with more expensive and technically difficult missions. A disadvantage is that once the spacecraft fly’s past, it can’t return for further investigation. So, if something important was missed, that’s kind of too bad.

Orbiter Spacecraft

Unlike a flyby spacecraft, an orbiter spacecraft is a type of spacecraft that enters and stays in orbit around a planet. Here, the private detective doesn’t do a drive-by; instead, he drives towards the target and then begins circling it over and over again to take pictures and videos, measure distances, use heat sensors to see if anyone is inside, and collect other data. The advantage of an orbiter is that you can collect a lot more data and get more detailed information about the object you’re investigating, namely a planet. A disadvantage is that you can’t land the orbiter onto the surface of the planet to conduct some more serious scientific experiments.

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Rovers

For a more serious investigation, you can turn to a rover spacecraft, an electrically powered spacecraft that can roam around the celestial object they land on to take detailed pictures, soil samples, and perform other specific tasks for scientific purposes. This would be the same thing as our private detective sending in a robot to the target to take objects and key factors inside the target. The advantage of rover spacecraft is that they can do a lot of incredible things, including chemical experiments which give us really detailed insights about a planet.

The disadvantage is cost which is estimated to be $2.5 billion for the most recent Mars Exploration Rover Mission.

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Human Space Exploration

Human space exploration helps to address fundamental questions about our place in the Universe and the history of our solar system. Through addressing the challenges related to human space exploration we expand technology, create new industries, and help to foster a peaceful connection with other nations. It is the investigation, by means of crewed and uncrewed spacecraft, which reaches the universe beyond Earth’s atmosphere and the information collected from outer space is used to gain or increase knowledge of the cosmos and ultimately benefit humanity.

Manned missions are almost ten times more costly than the unmanned missions and also it leads to various complexities be it health or safety. But the possibility of exploring space has long excited people and the intangible desire to explore and challenge the boundaries of what we know and where we have been has provided the push to explore space.

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Space explorations have brought a significant difference to the lives through various ways, by Improving health care, protecting our planet and our environment, creating scientific and technical jobs, improving our day-to-day lives, enhancing safety on Earth, making scientific discoveries, sparking youth’s interest in science, cooperating with countries around the world, preparing us for the potential hazards.

Questions 28-31

The text has five paragraphs

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.

Write the correct number, i-v, in boxes 28-31 on your answer sheet.

List of Headings

i. It can give in-depth knowledge about a planet by conducting experiments

ii. It observes the target by maintaining a healthy distance

iii. It gives an insight on the past and present

iv. It is unable to perform experiments but still manages to gather detailed data

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28. Fly Space Mission

29. Orbiter Spacecraft

30. Rovers

31. Human Space Exploration

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Questions 32-35

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? Write the correct answer in boxes 32-35 on your answer sheet.

TRUE – if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE – if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN – if there is no information on this

32. Flyby Space Mission spacecraft cannot be reinstated into its original space

33. Rovers are automatically charged by solar light

34. Human Space exploration can cost up to 2 million dollars per mission

35. Flyby missions act as a snapshot giving scope for further investigation

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Questions 36-40

Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

The challenges in space exploration can be addressed by expanding 36…………………… fostering peaceful 37…………………… and 38…………………… new industries. The information gathered from outer space increases 39…………………… and 40…………………… humanity.

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