Close Read: Analyze the Text Identify the choice that best answers the question.
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A
What does the author of "Mars Can Wait. Oceans Can't" most likely think is the most important purpose for scientific study and exploration?
O A protecting national security
B. inspiring pride in our country
o C. helping people and the planet
OD. making money through inventions
O
Part B
Which detail from the selection most clearly supports the answer to Part A?
O A. Not enough attention has been paid to ocean exploration in the past.
B. Experts say that there is no reason or purpose for sending people into space.
C. Ocean research could cool the climate, heal illnesses, and provide drinking water.
O
O
OD. Finding life on other planets would mean finding organic material, not a civilization.

Ineed . read the passage, and choose the three (3) inferences that are most firmly based on the given information. your sister has a new boyfriend. the first time you meet him, he corners you and talks to you for an hour about football, a subject in which you have no interest at all. you come away with the impression that he is an inconsiderate bore. the next two times you see him, however, he says not a word about football. he participates in the general conversation and makes some witty and intelligent remarks. what is your impression of him now? do you find him likable and interesting on the basis of the last two encounters? do you average out the early minus and the later plus and come out with a neutral zero? neither is likely. what is likely is that you still think of him as an inconsiderate bore. psychological research suggests that first impressions, as our mothers and fathers told us, are quite lasting. 1. the words “neutral zero” refer to an impression that is positive. 2. the words “neutral zero” refer to an impression that is neither positivenor negative. 3. the selection suggests that it’s a good idea to make good firstimpressions. 4. the selection suggests that it can be difficult to remain objective aboutothers. 5. first impressions tend to be fair and balance