CAMBRIDGE FIRST Reading & Use of English Part 5 Multiple Choice TEST 1
Cambridge B2 First (FCE) Practice Test 1
FCE Reading and Use of English Part 5: Multiple Choice
WITH ANSWER KEY: You'll find the answers at the end of this article
You are going to read an article about a new discovery on Mars. For Questions 1-6, choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.
Scientists from the International Mars Exploration Consortium (IMEC) have announced a groundbreaking discovery on the surface of Mars. The Curiosity rover, which has been diligently exploring the red planet since its arrival in 2012, has unearthed compelling evidence of ancient microbial life.
The rover's data analysis revealed the presence of organic compounds in Martian soil samples. These complex molecules, consisting of carbon-based compounds, are a vital building block for life as we know it. The discovery of organic compounds provides strong support for the possibility of past or even present life on Mars.
Dr. Rebecca Parker, a leading astrobiologist and member of the IMEC team, explained the significance of this finding: "Organic compounds are like breadcrumbs left by potential microbial organisms. While we cannot confirm the presence of actual life forms yet, the detection of these molecules raises intriguing possibilities. Mars may have once hosted a biosphere similar to Earth's early stages."
To further investigate this exciting revelation, the team employed advanced spectroscopic techniques to analyze the chemical composition of the soil samples. They discovered a diverse array of minerals, including clays and sulfates, which are known to preserve organic compounds and enhance the potential for habitability.
The team also detected isotopic ratios of certain elements, such as carbon and nitrogen, which differed from what is typically found in non-biological sources. This isotopic fingerprint suggests that the organic compounds may have a biological origin.
One of the most astonishing findings is the presence of liquid brine beneath the Martian surface. The existence of liquid water, even in the form of brine, raises the tantalizing possibility of habitable conditions. These briny pockets could potentially provide a sheltered environment where microbial life may have thrived.
As the news of this extraordinary discovery spread, excitement among scientists and space enthusiasts grew exponentially. The implications are far-reaching, opening up new avenues of research and fueling speculation about the existence of extraterrestrial life beyond our own planet.
To validate these findings, future Mars missions are being planned. IMEC intends to send a state-of-the-art lander equipped with next-generation tools designed specifically for the search for life. This mission will focus on collecting pristine samples from areas identified as having the highest potential for ancient microbial life.
Moreover, an international collaboration is underway to develop a sample return mission. The goal is to collect carefully sealed Martian samples and bring them back to Earth for in-depth laboratory analysis. This unprecedented endeavor will provide an opportunity to investigate the samples using cutting-edge technology that is simply too large and complex to be sent to Mars.
As we embark on this new era of Mars exploration, we must tread carefully and responsibly. Strict planetary protection protocols are in place to prevent contamination of the Martian environment and to ensure the integrity of the samples collected. The exploration of Mars holds tremendous promise, but we must always be mindful of the potential consequences of our actions.
The discovery of organic compounds and the tantalizing possibility of ancient microbial life on Mars are undoubtedly among the greatest scientific achievements of our time. They challenge our perceptions of our place in the universe and ignite our curiosity to unravel the mysteries of life beyond Earth. With each new discovery, we move one step closer to answering the age-old question: are we alone in the cosmos?
ANSWER KEY:
QUESTION 1: d) Organic compounds
QUESTION 2: c) They are essential building blocks for life
QUESTION 3: c) Using advanced spectroscopic techniques
QUESTION 4: a) It suggests the possibility of sheltered environments for life
QUESTION 5: c) A potential discovery that is exciting and tempting
QUESTION 6: a) The discovery of organic compounds on Mars and its implications for potential life
1. What did the Curiosity rover discover on the surface of Mars?
a) Fossilized remains of ancient organisms
b) Liquid water in the form of brine
c) Extraterrestrial life forms
d) Organic compounds
2. Why are organic compounds considered significant in the search for life on Mars?
a) They provide evidence of fossilized remains
b) They suggest the presence of liquid water
c) They are essential building blocks for life
d) They enhance the potential for habitability
3. How did the IMEC team determine the presence of organic compounds in the soil samples?
a) Through the detection of diverse minerals
b) By analyzing isotopic ratios of elements
c) Using advanced spectroscopic techniques
d) By studying the chemical composition of the samples
4. What is the significance of finding liquid brine beneath the Martian surface?
a) It suggests the possibility of sheltered environments for life
b) It indicates the presence of flowing water on Mars
c) It confirms the existence of extraterrestrial life
d) It provides evidence of ancient microbial organisms
5. What does the expression "the tantalizing possibility" in the text imply?
a) A highly probable outcome with concrete evidence
b) A frustrating and unattainable idea
c) A potential discovery that is exciting and tempting
d) An insignificant and unimportant finding
6. What is the main idea of the text?
a) The discovery of organic compounds on Mars and its implications for potential life.
b) The history and development of the Curiosity rover's exploration on Mars.
c) The efforts of the International Mars Exploration Consortium in space exploration.
d) The excitement and implications of the new era of Mars exploration.
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