America's space agency, NASA, has always had one eye on the crowd.

Question

America's space agency, NASA, has always had one eye on the crowd. It is not, therefore, a coincidence that its  Deep Impact  probe—comet  Tempel 1 —will arrive at its target. As is  traditional , the anniversary of the American Revolution will be celebrated by fireworks on earth. This year, thanks to the cunning of the agency's interplanetary navigators, there will be fireworks in the heavens, too.

By observing what is ejected from the crater created when part of the probe hits the comet, Deep Impact's scientists hope to catch a glimpse of the material from which the earth and the other planets were formed.

Astronomers are interested in comets because they are simpler and more primitive than planets. Both types of bodies formed 4.5 billion years ago from a cloud of gas and dust around the young sun. Comets, though, are believed to have changed little from those days while planets, being larger and thus more prone to heating up and melting (the heat is generated by radioactive minerals, and trapped inside large bodies), have undergone significant alteration. A comet is, therefore, something of a cosmic time capsule.

Deep Impact  itself is actually composed of two smaller vehicles—a mother ship that will fly past the comet taking photographs and conducting other measurements, and a sophisticated, steerable copper bullet that weighs 372kg and is intended to smash into the comet. The bullet will separate from the mother ship and begin its journey towards Tempel 1, and the next day it will hit the comet.

By observing how the crater forms, and the shape of the debris cloud, NASA's scientists hope to tell something about the rigidity of the comet's material and how porous it is. And by analyzing the spectrum of light from the debris, they will find out that material's chemical composition—although the comet has been giving up some of these secrets unprompted, with a series of natural outbursts in recent weeks. Amateur observers in the western United States should see Tempel 1 light up during the impact through a small telescope.    1 
 1. The author of the passage has mentioned the word “traditional” ( Highlighted ) most probably to

A. highlight that the results of NASA space missions have been so promising their success has become customary
B. show that sending space missions is common to NASA
C. show that the festivity on earth in commemoration of the American revolution is conventional
D. mark that the Americans celebrate the success of their space scientists sparklingly
E. pinpoint the apparent success of  Deep Impact

2 
 2. According to the passage, the fireworks in the space will be specifically indebted to:

A. the NASA
B. the  Deep Impact 
C. the American revolution
D. the Scientists
E. the Interplanetary navigators

3 
 3. The passage answers to all of the following questions EXCEPT

A. What is the primary difference between the comets and the planets?
B. How comets and planets were formed?
C. How does the  Deep Impact  functions?
D. Why scientists are interested in comets?
E. What the weight of  Deep Impact  probe is?

4 
 4. According to the passage, which of the following about comets and planets is true

A. Astronomers are interested in small planets and comets
B. Planets are more inclined to heat that can be relieved by radioactive minerals
C. Since their formation, planets and comets have undergone significant change
D. Planets are more developed and sophisticated than are comets
E. The orbits of comets are different from those of planets

5 
 5. The author of the passage is primarily interested in

A. explaining how astronomers at NASA are putting in their efforts in space research
B. analyzing the  Deep impact  probe and reasoning why astronomers are interested in it
C. discussing what the  Deep impact  probe is and why it is important to American Revolution
D. identifying how the space mission by NASA will differentiate comets from planets
E. explaining what forms the  Deep impact  and how it will work

100mitra · Accepted Answer

RC#1 : "Deep Impact Probe—comet Tempel 1"

Paraphrase:
 Para 1 :
Two celebration events are scheduled:
1. Arrival of Comet Temple-1
2. Anniversary of American revolution

Para 2 :
Scientists wants to study from particles of "Comet Temple-1" about formation of planets

Para 3 
Astronomers are interested about: 
1. Comets study
2. why they are difference from planets?
3. More prone to heating up and melting

Para 4 
Deep Impact operation will be with Tempel-1, Two smaller vehicles—
1. Mother ship , which will photograph & Measurements
2. Steerable copper bullet ,which will travel with Tempel-1

Para 5 
NASA want to study through comets
1. How crater forms & Shape of debriefs cloud
2. Rigidity & Porous of comet material
3. The spectrum of light from the debris.
4. And People can see this Deep Impact Probe of comet Tempel-1, through small telescope

Intended Meaning of Passage : The Deep impact probe and reasoning why astronomers are interested in it"

Q1:The author of the passage has mentioned the word “traditional” (Highlighted) most probably to
as mentioned in  Paragraph 1 : 
 As is  traditional , the anniversary of the American Revolution will be celebrated by fireworks on earth 
Clearly it has to be 
  Option C  . show that the festivity on earth in commemoration of the  American revolution  is conventional

2. According to the passage, the  fireworks in the space  will be specifically  indebted  (gratitude) to:
As mentioned in  Paragraph 1, last line 
This year, thanks to the cunning of the  agency's interplanetary navigators ,(who are this interplanetary navigators?)
there will be  fireworks in the heavens  (firework up in sky: space), too.
A. the NASA  - On Earth - No 
B. the Deep Impact  - its a process happenning on comet, this cannot navigate - No 
C. the American revolution  - On earth celebration - No 
D. the Scientists  - One planning, but not will be flying up in sky - No 
E. the Space pilots   - Flying in Sky - Yes

3. The passage answers to all of the following questions  EXCEPT 
A. What is the primary difference between the comets and the planets?  Paragraph 3 
B. What happens when a probe hits a comet?    - Not Mentioned   
C. How does the Deep Impact function?  - Paragraph 4 
D. Why are scientists interested in comets?  - Paragraph 5 
E. What could be the minimum weight of the Deep Impact probe? - Paragraph 4

4. According to the passage, which of the following about  comets and planets is true 
 Expect D, all are the option scientist and astronomers 
are underprocess to understand the facts, 
as mentioned in paragraph 3, line 1: Astronomers are interested in comets 
because they are simpler and more primitive than planets. 
A. Astronomers are interested in small planets and comets 
B. Planets are more inclined to heat that can be relieved by radioactive minerals
C. Since their formation, planets and comets have undergone significant change
  D. Planets are more developed and sophisticated than comets  
E. The orbits of comets are different from those of planets

5. The author of the passage is primarily interested in
A.  explaining  how astronomers at NASA are putting in their efforts in space research  - No 
B.  analyzing  the Deep impact probe and reasoning why astronomers are interested in it   - Yes  
C.  discussing  what Deep impact probe is and why it is important to NASA  - No 
D.  identifying  how the space mission by NASA will differentiate comets from planets  - No 
E.  explaining  what forms the Deep impact and how it will work  - No

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

4. According to the passage which of the following about comets and planets is true

Explanation

Question number 4 is related to  paragraph 2 ; one can answer the question by reading only this paragraph. Read before you go to the answer choices.

A. Astronomers are interested in  small planets  and comets

"Small planets" here is a problem if you can recall what  paragraph 2  says:

"Comets, though, are believed to have changed little from those days  while planets, being larger  and thus more prone to heating up and melting (radioactive minerals generate the heat."

According to the passage, astronomers are interested in comets because they have changed little and are smaller than planets. However, the passage said that the planets are larger, while this choice distorts the information given in the passage.

B. Planets are more inclined to heat  that can be relieved by radioactive minerals

This option starts very well but ends in a trap; it begins in a good direction, valid according to the passage, but ends by taking a U-Turn and being 180 to what is stated, according to the passage.

"Comets, though, are believed to have changed little from those days while planets, being larger and thus  more prone to heating up and melting  ( the heat is generated by radioactive minerals and trapped inside large bodies) "

(B)  goes opposite to what is stated in the brackets; according to the passage, planets absorb the heat, while this option is saying the opposite that planet release the heat. So this is out.

C. Since their formation planets and  comets  have undergone significant change

Only planets have undergone significant change after their formation; if comets have changed considerably, why will the astronomers be interested in them?

D. Planets are more developed and sophisticated than comets

All true according to the passage:

"Astronomers are interested in comets because they are simpler and more primitive than planets."

E. The orbits of comets are different from those of planets

This doesn't seem right, providing an outside idea not discussed in the passage.

Answer: D

elavendan1 · Answer

Can someone explain whether there is a flaw in my reasoning?

Q2 .According to the passage the fireworks in the space will specifically indebted to:

A. the NASA
B. the Deep Impact
C. the American revolution
D. the Scientists
E. the Space pilot

There is no mention of Space pilots in the passage. Only mention which comes to close is ".....agency's interplanetary navigators". An interplanetary navigator need not necessarily be on space. Among other options, by the tone of the author in the first passage, NASA scientists deliberately chose the day of American revolution to hit the comet. We can thus infer that the fireworks  might   be indebted to the commemoration of American revolution.

Similarly, Q5.
Option B. analyzing the Deep impact probe,  its success , and why astronomers are interested in it.

Two reasons that I have discarded option B:
1. nowhere in the passage it is mentioned that Deep Impact already hit the comet. Only when it has done so, we can say that the author is intending to discuss its success. 
2. Additionally, astronomers are not interested in Deep Impact. They are interested in comets and their composition etc. It is NASA's scientists who are interested in Deep Impact. The final paragraph briefly mentions about observers, but not astronomers.

For these 2 reasons, we can eliminate B. Now, with Option C. It is less elegant, but does not contradict the passage as a whole. 
Passage 1: NASA and it's planning of fireworks
Passage 2: Expanding on fireworks, and why comets are important to astronomers
Passage 3: Working of Deep Impact. 
Passage 4: Implications if Deep Impact were a success.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. The author of the passage has mentioned the word “traditional” (Highlighted) most probably in order to

Explanation

This is a specific purpose question, and in all specific purpose questions, we can   go back to the passage and re-read the related text. Let's read it:

"As is traditional, the anniversary of the American Revolution will be celebrated by fireworks on Earth."

Always read 1-2 sentences before and after the highlighted part. Now you have read it, the next thing to consider is the generalizability of what you have read. Do not unnecessarily exaggerate or precise it. Let's read the answer choices one by one.

A. highlight that the results of NASA space missions have been so promising their success has become customary

This choice is unnecessarily exaggerated without any support from the passage. We cannot infer it; we cannot say it must be correct.

B. show that sending space missions is common to NASA

Same as (A) Too much exaggeration without any support

C. show that the festivity on earth in commemoration of the American revolution is conventional

Directly stated in the passage, read the related text posted above.

D. mark that the Americans celebrate the success of their space scientists sparklingly

One more example of self-generated thoughts. Out.

E. pinpoint the apparent success of Deep Impact

This is extreme to think as such.

Answer: C

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

5. The author of the passage is primarily interested in

Explanation

A global or primary purpose question must contain all the passage holes; an option with comparatively less of the passage is not that good than an option containing more of the passage. For global questions of like type, we cannot go back to the passage to re-read it; hence we have to analyze each answer choice carefully and use the process of elimination to pick up the correct answer.

A. explaining how astronomers at NASA are putting in their efforts in space research

This is straightforward a wrong option. It inappropriately tells something wrong. Out!

B. analyzing the Deep impact probe and reasoning why astronomers are interested in it

The generalizability of the word "analyzing is very broad, and it can contain almost everything. So this option seems better to let's keep it until we find something better.

C.  discussing what Deep impact probe is  and  why it is important to NASA

Hmm! Again, this is a serious talent here; this option also looks very good. What we should do right now is to keep it; for the time being, we will be back to it later. Let's move on.

D. identifying how the space mission by NASA will differentiate comets from planets

This option talks about approximately 25% of the passage, ignoring the remaining 75%.

E. explaining what forms the Deep impact and how it will work

This option is better than option (D) at least as it contains approximately two and half paragraph but it ignore almost half of the passage.

Now what to do with  (B)  and  (C) ? Both look promising. One problem with  (C)  is the latter half part of it  "why it is important to NASA"  the passage cannot justify this part while answer option  (B)  can be justified completely.  (B)  is better than  (C)  for this one reason.  (C)  is an example of trap choices from half right and half wrong answer choice.

Answer: B

neharani503 · Answer

please explain question 3 answer as the weight of the bullet is clearly mentioned in the passage .

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Here is the related text from the passage:

Deep Impact itself is actually  composed of two smaller vehicles — a mother ship  that will fly past the comet taking photographs and conducting other measurements,  and a sophisticated, steerable copper bullet  that weighs 372kg and is intended to smash into the comet.

Deep Impact  consists of two parts, and the weight of one part is given and not of the second part. Hence we cannot answer this question.

dcummins · Answer

There are a number of typos and incorrect use of English here… 
Here are a few:
3B – How did comets and planets are formed…
Correction: how comets and planets were formed
3C – How does Deep Impact function
3D – why scientists are interested in comets
3E – What the weight of the Deep Impact probe is
4D – planets are more developed and sophisticated than are comets

Answer  :
 Topic: Anniversary + launch of probe?
 P1: purpose of study
P2: explain interest in comet
P3: explain Deep Impact
P4: explain how DI’s observations aid scientissts

Helping one of my students on this, so here’s my take
Q1 – refers to P1
A – study hasn’t taken place – therefore the scientists cannot be celebrating success
B – completely not supported
C – Correct. Sentence states “As is tradition,….AR will be celebrated with fireworks”, hence festivity of AR is conventional
D – no mention or indication of the success of scientsts
E – similar to A and D – no information indicating that the DI study has actually occurred let alone achieve success

Q2 – refers to P1

I don’t personally like the use of indebted here. Its not a great use of the word for what this question assesses, and I don’t know the source of this question

Recommend looking up “indebted” and getting a general understanding of how this word is conventionally used.

P1 mentions “thanks to the cunning of the agency’s interplanetary navigators, there will be fireworks in the heavens too..”

In many ways the scientists are interplanetary navigators, but the specificity of the questions’ answer choices, the answer is E

A – cannot attribute the study to NASA as a whole
B – illogical to infer that the fireworks are owed to the thing that caused the fireworks here (The probe)
C – obviously incorrect. How can you attribute the fireworks in space caused by the Deep impact collision with the American Revolution? Were there fireworks at the American Revolution?
D – arguably the scientists are driving this study, but P1 clearly states that the interplanetary navigators sit a level above and may be more directly contributable to the fireworks
E – correct per p1

Q3

E – correct. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the weight of the bullet is the weight of the whole Deep impact probe. P3 clearly states that the probe is composed of 2 smaller vehicles, 1 of which we know the weight is 327kg, the other we don’t know

Q4 – refer to p3 “comets are believed to have changed little from those days, while planets….have undergone significant alteration. The whole premise of the study is to inspect Comet’s makeup since they haven’t undergone as much change as planets have
A- Not supported at all. We cannot bifurcate between planets and small planets given the information
B- Incorrect – Comets are more incline to heat and melt per P3
C- Incorrect – P3 clearly states that Planets have undergone significant changes while comets haven’t
D- Correct per above
E- We know nothing of the orbits. Incorrect

Q5
a. Incorrect – we only know about 1 research study and the author goes into great detail explaining this study and its details
b. Correct – the passage map clearly structures to inform the reader about the study, its intended purpose, and how scientists intend to use the results to interpret findings
c. Completely wrong – the author draws an analogy to the American Revolution celebration as the timing of the AR coincides with the fireworks caused by the collision of DI and the comet. There is no actual tie to the America revolution
d. Incorrect – part of the identification part is in paragraph 3 and 5. This isn’t the principal focus of the passage. 
e. Incorrect – this answer is one component of the overall passage P3 and parts of other passages. It isn’t the all encompassing purpose of the study

America's space agency, NASA, has always had one eye on the crowd.

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

America's space agency, NASA, has always had one eye on the crowd.

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615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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