Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions
Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct
answer to each of the questions.
[1] There was a time when space exploration seemed like a distant dream that only a few people
can achieve. [II] By the year 2025, however, the space industry has seen major changes. [II] Many private
companies such as Blue Origin and SpaceX are creating new chances for people from all walks of life to
experience spaceflight. [IV]
The recent Blue Origin NS-31 mission is the latest example of the increasing openness of space
exploration. The flight made history as the first space mission with an all-women crew. The six participants
came from varied backgrounds, including journalism, music, and science. Among them was Amanda
Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American activist. As symbolic gestures to honor the Vietnamese heritage that she
learned from family stories, Amanda not only wore ao dai before the launch, but also brought 169 lotus
seeds provided by scientists at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, which were later
returned to Earth for study on how space travel affects plant growth.
The rapid growth of private space companies has led to lower launch costs, more frequent missions,
and the development of smaller, more flexible spacecraft that can carry non-professional passengers.
Technological advancements such as automated flight systems and reusable rockets have removed the
need for months of training, allowing participants to prepare in just a few days or weeks. In addition,
simplified safety protocols and virtual reality simulations have made it easier for people without scientific
or military backgrounds to get ready for flight. Growing interest from the public, along with strong media
coverage and social media engagement, has also pushed companies to select passengers with compelling
personal stories or cultural significance.
In the future, we are likely to see more short-term missions that include people from
different professions, cultures, and communities. Space could become a platform where students can
directly engage with astronauts and learn science in real time. Artists might create music or visual projects
that capture the experience of weightlessness or the view of Earth from space. There may also be more
research into how space affects mental health, muscle loss, or reproductive health, with private astronauts
contributing to data collection. Some missions may even include journalists, influencers, or representatives
from small nations who act as communicators to bridge space science with public understanding.
(Adapted from conversation.com; theguardian.com)
The word "varied" in the context of paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to .......
A. Typical. B. Stable
C. Limited. D. Unexciting
answer to each of the questions.
[1] There was a time when space exploration seemed like a distant dream that only a few people
can achieve. [II] By the year 2025, however, the space industry has seen major changes. [II] Many private
companies such as Blue Origin and SpaceX are creating new chances for people from all walks of life to
experience spaceflight. [IV]
The recent Blue Origin NS-31 mission is the latest example of the increasing openness of space
exploration. The flight made history as the first space mission with an all-women crew. The six participants
came from varied backgrounds, including journalism, music, and science. Among them was Amanda
Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American activist. As symbolic gestures to honor the Vietnamese heritage that she
learned from family stories, Amanda not only wore ao dai before the launch, but also brought 169 lotus
seeds provided by scientists at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, which were later
returned to Earth for study on how space travel affects plant growth.
The rapid growth of private space companies has led to lower launch costs, more frequent missions,
and the development of smaller, more flexible spacecraft that can carry non-professional passengers.
Technological advancements such as automated flight systems and reusable rockets have removed the
need for months of training, allowing participants to prepare in just a few days or weeks. In addition,
simplified safety protocols and virtual reality simulations have made it easier for people without scientific
or military backgrounds to get ready for flight. Growing interest from the public, along with strong media
coverage and social media engagement, has also pushed companies to select passengers with compelling
personal stories or cultural significance.
In the future, we are likely to see more short-term missions that include people from
different professions, cultures, and communities. Space could become a platform where students can
directly engage with astronauts and learn science in real time. Artists might create music or visual projects
that capture the experience of weightlessness or the view of Earth from space. There may also be more
research into how space affects mental health, muscle loss, or reproductive health, with private astronauts
contributing to data collection. Some missions may even include journalists, influencers, or representatives
from small nations who act as communicators to bridge space science with public understanding.
(Adapted from conversation.com; theguardian.com)
The word "varied" in the context of paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to .......
A. Typical. B. Stable
C. Limited. D. Unexciting