Digitized Signals Are the Future of the Black Box by ReadWorks

How does the black box on an airplane record information about the flight?
It videotapes the passengers.
It uses microphones in the cockpit and sensors all over the plane.
It uses close circuit television transmissions.
Flight attendants enter information manually into a computer in the box.
2The passage explains that the solid state technology is an improvement over the magnetic tape technology. What was one problem with black boxes using magnetic tape technology?
The color of the boxes made them difficult to find after an accident.
The tapes could get damaged if passengers had magnets on the plane.
The tapes could break as they were stretched across a machine to be read.
The tapes did not provide clear video images.
3Solid state memory boards are more reliable than magnetic tapes for recording and transmitting flight information. Which evidence from the text supports this conclusion?
Solid state technology records more data than magnetic tape technology.
Solid state memory boards use memory chips to record and store information.
The black box draws energy from two generators that are powered by the plane’s engines.
Information recorded on solid state technology can be downloaded in minutes.
4Which of the following conclusions about flight recordings is supported by the text?
The most reliable methods for recording flight data are the oldest ones.
Experts began to record flight information only recently.
It is critical to get the most reliable data from flight recordings when investigating airplane accidents.
Digitized black boxes record flight information more effectively because they use more generators than the older ones.
5What is the main idea of this passage?
Airplanes should record information when they are in flight.
The Wright Brothers created flight recorders when they invented the airplane.
Digitized signals are a vast improvement over magnetic tapes in black box recorders.
Colorful flight recording devices are easier to find than black ones.
6Read the following sentences: “The modern device is used around the world and is highly regulated. International standards mandate that it be able to withstand high acceleration and deceleration, high and low temperature fires, deep sea pressure, submersion in seawater or other liquids, and high impact and being crushed.”
As used in this passage, what does the word “mandate” most nearly mean?
to require
to reject
to avoid
to create
7Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.
Solid state technology has no moving parts; , it is more reliable as an encoder of information and less likely to break.
however
therefore
but
otherwise
8Why are digital signals more reliable than magnetic tapes in recording and transmitting information during a flight?
Answer
9It is important to get information about a flight from many parts of the airplane. What evidence from the text supports this conclusion?
Answer
10How have improvements in black box technology impacted the investigation process of aircraft? Use information from the passage to support your answer.
Answer