1. Read the following passage and make notes in an appropriate format: (15)
Outer space, or simply space, is the expanse that exists beyond the Earth and between celestial bodies.
Outer space is not completely empty—it is a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles,
predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields,
neutrinos, dust, and cosmic rays. The baseline temperature of outer space, as set by the background
radiation from the Big Bang, is 2.7 kelvins (−270.45 °C; −454.81 °F). The plasma between galaxies accounts
for about half of the baryonic (ordinary) matter in the universe; it has a number density of less than one
hydrogen atom per cubic meter and a temperature of millions of kelvins. Local concentrations of matter
have condensed into stars and galaxies. Studies indicate that 90% of the mass in most galaxies is in an
unknown form, called dark matter, which interacts with other matter through gravitational but not
electromagnetic forces. Observations suggest that the majority of the mass-energy in the observable
universe is dark energy, a type of vacuum energy that is poorly understood. Intergalactic space takes up
most of the volume of the universe, but even galaxies and star systems consist almost entirely of empty
space.
Outer space does not begin at a definite altitude above the Earth's surface. However, the Kármán line, an
altitude of 100 km (62 mi) above sea level, is conventionally used as the start of outer space in space
treaties and for aerospace records keeping. The framework for international space law was established by
the Outer Space Treaty, which entered into force on 10 October 1967. This treaty precludes any claims of
national sovereignty and permits all states to freely explore outer space. Despite the drafting of UN
resolutions for the peaceful uses of outer space, anti-satellite weapons have been tested in Earth orbit.
Humans began the physical exploration of space during the 20th century with the advent of high-altitude
balloon flights. This was followed by manned rocket flights and, then, manned Earth orbit, first achieved by
Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union in 1961. Due to the high cost of getting into space, manned spaceflight
4
has been limited to low Earth orbit and the Moon. On the other hand, unmanned spacecraft have reached
all of the known planets in the Solar System.
Outer space represents a challenging environment for human exploration because of the hazards of
vacuum and radiation. Microgravity also has a negative effect on human physiology that causes both
muscle atrophy and bone loss. In addition to these health and environmental issues, the economic cost of
putting objects, including humans, into space is very high.
2. Write a summary of the passage and give it an appropriate title.
Answers
Answer:
1. Read the following passage and make notes in an appropriate format: (15)
Outer space, or simply space, is the expanse that exists beyond the Earth and between celestial bodies.
Outer space is not completely empty—it is a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles,
predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields,
neutrinos, dust, and cosmic rays. The baseline temperature of outer space, as set by the background
radiation from the Big Bang, is 2.7 kelvins (−270.45 °C; −454.81 °F). The plasma between galaxies accounts
for about half of the baryonic (ordinary) matter in the universe; it has a number density of less than one
hydrogen atom per cubic meter and a temperature of millions of kelvins. Local concentrations of matter
have condensed into stars and galaxies. Studies indicate that 90% of the mass in most galaxies is in an
unknown form, called dark matter, which interacts with other matter through gravitational but not
electromagnetic forces. Observations suggest that the majority of the mass-energy in the observable
universe is dark energy, a type of vacuum energy that is poorly understood. Intergalactic space takes up
most of the volume of the universe, but even galaxies and star systems consist almost entirely of empty
space.
Outer space does not begin at a definite altitude above the Earth's surface. However, the Kármán line, an
altitude of 100 km (62 mi) above sea level, is conventionally used as the start of outer space in space
treaties and for aerospace records keeping. The framework for international space law was established by
the Outer Space Treaty, which entered into force on 10 October 1967. This treaty precludes any claims of
national sovereignty and permits all states to freely explore outer space. Despite the drafting of UN
resolutions for the peaceful uses of outer space, anti-satellite weapons have been tested in Earth orbit.
Humans began the physical exploration of space during the 20th century with the advent of high-altitude
balloon flights. This was followed by manned rocket flights and, then, manned Earth orbit, first achieved by
Yuri Gagarin of the Soviet Union in 1961. Due to the high cost of getting into space, manned spaceflight
4
has been limited to low Earth orbit and the Moon. On the other hand, unmanned spacecraft have reached
all of the known planets in the Solar System.
Outer space represents a challenging environment for human exploration because of the hazards of
vacuum and radiation. Microgravity also has a negative effect on human physiology that causes both
muscle atrophy and bone loss. In addition to these health and environmental issues, the economic cost of
putting objects, including humans, into space is very high.
2. Write a summary of the passage and give it an appropriate title.
Answer:
In this chapter, the writer raises an issue towards the deteriorating health of the earth. As human beings have been exploiting natural resources from decades, presently the condition has made the environment critical. In 1972, the Green Movement helped environmentalists to raise awareness about the harmful condition of the earth and since then there has been no looking back as the movement has been successfully educating people about the conservation of the environment.
Earth is like a patient whose health is declining and it is our duty to improve it. In 1987, the term Sustainable Development was used by the World Commission on Environment and Development. A zoo in Lukasa, Zambia has a cage in which a sign reads ‘The World’s most dangerous animal’ and inside there is a mirror. It gives a message that human beings are the most dangerous animals. Brandt Commission raised a question “Are we to leave our successors a scorched planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and ailing environment?”
There are four principal biological systems that form the foundation of the global economic system - fisheries, grasslands, forests, and croplands. These four systems also provide food and raw materials for industries except for minerals and synthetics. With these systems becoming unsustainable, fisheries will collapse, the forest will slowly disappear, grasslands will turn into a barren wasteland and croplands will become worse.
In poor countries, forests are being cut down for fuelwood which is used for cooking purposes. There are some areas where the cost of fuelwood is more than the cost of food. It is leading to deforestation at an alarming rate.
One of the reasons for the exploitation of the environment is the increasing population. It is observed that about one million population is increasing in every four days. This is not a good sign. There is an urgent need to control overpopulation in the world. Development is the best contraceptive for this problem as it will help in reduction in fertility, increase in education and income and improvement in health.
We must see the world as a whole and not as dissociated parts. It is a holistic and ecological view. According to Lester brown, we have not inherited the earth from our forefathers but we have borrowed it from our future generations.
Explanation: