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Reading Comprehension

The document discusses the growing concern among scientists about the potential threat of asteroids colliding with Earth and explores various strategies for deflecting them. It highlights the shift in public perception regarding disaster preparedness, moving from viewing natural disasters as unavoidable 'acts of God' to seeing them as controllable events. The text raises questions about the practicality and necessity of investing resources in preparing for unlikely asteroid impacts.

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2 views

Reading Comprehension

The document discusses the growing concern among scientists about the potential threat of asteroids colliding with Earth and explores various strategies for deflecting them. It highlights the shift in public perception regarding disaster preparedness, moving from viewing natural disasters as unavoidable 'acts of God' to seeing them as controllable events. The text raises questions about the practicality and necessity of investing resources in preparing for unlikely asteroid impacts.

Uploaded by

kainguyen.cka
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reading comprehension

Read the passage and choose correct answer for each question.

People often prepare for catastrophes such as earthquakes, tornadoes, and tsunamis. But what
about an asteroid entering the atmosphere and colliding with Earth? This is a scenario few people
plan for, but scientists are beginning to give the subject serious thought. There are some ideas
developing about how to deflect any large asteroids that are headed toward us.

Ed Lu is one of the few working on a plan to deflect an asteroid flying too close to Earth. Some
possibilities are immediately ruled out. One idea was to land on the asteroid and push it away, but
asteroids are always rotating so the pushing cancels out, Lu explains. Another, more viable, option
might be to have a spacecraft drag or tow the asteroid off course. There is a drawback to this option,
however, because Lu's plan only works on small asteroids that can be engaged far away from Earth.
Another planner is Russian Vadim Simonenko, who believes that the only workable solution for large
asteroids and comets is exploding them with nuclear bombs.

The attention given to disaster scenarios is relatively new. Not too long ago, people seldom planned
for or worried about natural disasters. They were referred to as "acts of God" and believed to be
unavoidable. Today, however, some have started to view disasters as the result of poor planning,
failed science, and bad leadership. In other words, the idea is that we should be able to control
Nature and prevent a disaster or minimize it.

How real are the threats? There have been some spectacular near misses: an object the size of a car
soaring through the atmosphere above the U.S. and Canada in 1972 then flying back out into space,
the 300 meter rock that came much too close in 1989. So is this planning wise? So far the threats
have not materialzed, and thus the planning creates a dilemma: how much time, effort, and money
should be spent on preparing for the asteroid that may never hit Earth or emergencies that may never
happen?
Questions
1. What is the purpose of this reading?
to convince readers to prepare for an asteroid collision
to explain how to prepare for a natural disaster
to consider the issue of trying to control natural disasters
2. In paragraph three, what is the author's purpose in mentioning acts of God?
to add interest and creativity to the passage
to explain a previous attitude toward natural disasters
to explain the religious interpretation of nature
3. Which of the following are some governments possibly doing?
passing laws to prevent people from selling asteroids for profit
developing towing capabilities for new spacecraft
making maps to help people travel through space
4. Which of the following is a fact?
Money should be spent on ways to destroy asteroids.
Scientists can accurately predict earthquakes.
A 300 meter asteroid came close to Earth in 1989.
5. In paragraph three, the clue to the meaning of the phrase control Nature is __________.
poor leadership
ability to prevent, minimize disaster
There is no clue.

6. Which of the following would be an unlikely event?


the moon colliding with Earth
a snow storm in the mountains
a warm day in the winter
7. In paragraph three, another way to say relatively new is __________.
somewhat new
recent
brand new

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