Mars Exploration and the Quest for Extraterrestrial Life (Đề thi IELTS READING 6/7/2024)

READING PASSAGE 3
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-27, which are based on Reading passage 3 below.

Mars Exploration and the Quest for Extraterrestrial Life

Paragraph A:
The exploration of Mars has captivated the scientific community and the public alike, driven by the tantalizing prospect of discovering extraterrestrial life. Mars, with its relatively hospitable environment, has long been considered the most likely candidate for harboring life beyond Earth. Recent missions, spearheaded by agencies such as NASA and ESA, have yielded a wealth of data, shedding light on the planet's geology, climate, and potential for life.
Paragraph B:
The discovery of water on Mars, both in the form of ice and briny liquid, has significantly bolstered the hypothesis that the planet could support life. Water is a fundamental prerequisite for life as we know it, and its presence on Mars suggests that the planet may have once harbored living organisms. Current missions are focused on detecting signs of microbial life, past or present, in these watery environments.>> Form đăng kí giải đề thi thật IELTS 4 kĩ năng kèm bài giải bộ đề 100 đề PART 2 IELTS SPEAKING quý đang thi (update hàng tuần) từ IELTS TUTOR
Paragraph C:
Mars' geology reveals a history of volcanic activity, ancient river valleys, and lake beds, indicating that the planet once had a much warmer and wetter climate. These conditions would have been conducive to life, and scientists are particularly interested in exploring these ancient terrains for biosignatures - chemical or physical indicators of past life.
Paragraph D:
The search for life on Mars is not limited to water alone. Methane detections in the Martian atmosphere have sparked considerable interest, as methane can be produced by both geological processes and biological activity. Periodic spikes in methane levels suggest that there may be active sources, potentially linked to subsurface microbial life.
Paragraph E:
The technological advancements in Mars exploration, such as the development of sophisticated rovers and landers, have greatly enhanced our ability to study the planet in detail. Instruments capable of drilling into the Martian surface, analyzing rock and soil samples, and detecting organic compounds are crucial in the quest to find life.
Paragraph F:
The human fascination with Mars extends beyond scientific inquiry to the realm of human colonization. The prospect of establishing a human presence on Mars presents numerous challenges, including radiation exposure, life support systems, and sustainable food and water supplies. However, the potential rewards are equally significant, from advancing scientific knowledge to ensuring the survival of humanity in the event of a catastrophic event on Earth.
Paragraph G:
While the quest to find life on Mars continues, it is important to consider the ethical implications of such endeavors. The potential contamination of Mars with Earth microbes could jeopardize the search for indigenous life forms. International protocols and rigorous sterilization procedures are essential to prevent biological contamination and preserve the integrity of Mars as a site for scientific exploration.
Questions 28-32
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in boxes 28-32 on your answer sheet.
28. What has significantly bolstered the hypothesis that Mars could support life?
A. Discovery of ancient river valleys
B. Presence of volcanic activity
C. Detection of water in ice and liquid forms
D. Findings of organic compounds
29. What do scientists hope to find in ancient Martian terrains?
A. Active volcanoes
B. Evidence of microbial life
C. Fossilized plants
D. Meteorite impacts
30. What has sparked considerable interest due to its potential biological origin?
A. Ancient river valleys
B. Methane detections in the atmosphere
C. Volcanic rock formations
D. Dust storms
31. What presents a significant challenge in human colonization of Mars?
A. Discovering water
B. Finding suitable rock samples
C. Radiation exposure
D. Conducting atmospheric studies
32. What is a crucial step to prevent contamination of Mars?
A. Advanced drilling techniques
B. Use of sophisticated rovers>> IELTS TUTOR có hướng dẫn kĩ PHÂN TÍCH ĐỀ THI THẬT TASK 2 (dạng advantages & disadvantages) NGÀY 04/8/2020 IELTS WRITING GENERAL MÁY TÍNH (kèm bài được sửa hs đi thi)
C. Implementation of sterilization procedures
D. Development of life support systems

A: Belonging to life on Earth,
B: Belonging to life on Mars,
C: Belonging to both
38. Water as a prerequisite for life.
39. Presence of methane in the atmosphere.
40. Use of drilling instruments to search for life.

28. C 35. C 29. B 36. E 30. B 37. F 31. C 38. C 32. C 39. C 33. B 40. C 34. G