The Exploration of Mars
Read The Exploration of Mars and check the IELTS Reading answers. In 1877, Giovanni Schiaparelli, an Italian astronomer, made drawings and maps of the Martian surface that suggested strange features. The images from telescopes at that time were not as sharp as today’s. Schiaparelli said he could se…
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In 1877, Giovanni Schiaparelli, an Italian astronomer, made drawings and maps of the Martian surface that suggested strange features. The images from telescopes at that time were not as sharp as today’s. Schiaparelli said he could see a network of lines, or canali. In 1894, an American astronomer, Percival Lowell, made a series of observations of Mars from his own observatory at Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A. Lowell was convinced a great network of canals had been dug to irrigate crops for the Martian race. He suggested that each canal had fertile vegetation on either side, making them noticeable from Earth. Drawings and globes he made show a network of canals and oases all over the planet.
Vocabulary from this passage
31 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- aerobic capacity noun
The absolute maximum volume of oxygen the human body can consume and utilize during intense exertion.
Endurance athletes require exceptional aerobic capacity to maintain peak performance over extended distances.
- arbitrary adjective
Based entirely on random choice or personal whim, rather than dictated by any objective reason or system.
The committee's decision to ban the technology appeared entirely arbitrary to the competing athletes.
- barren adjective
Describing land that is excessively poor, bleak, and ultimately incapable of producing substantial vegetation or life.
The initial orbital photographs revealed a barren, cratered landscape entirely devoid of atmospheric moisture.
- buoyancy noun
The upward physical force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object.
The innovative fabric drastically improves buoyancy, allowing competitive swimmers to glide closer to the surface.
- compositional analysis noun
The methodical scientific process of determining the specific chemical and physical elements constituting a substance.
The laboratory conducted a rigorous compositional analysis of the meteorite to ascertain its planetary origins.
- consensus noun
A general, widespread agreement reached among a specific group of people, professionals, or academic experts.
The global scientific consensus indicates that anthropogenic activities significantly accelerate current climate change patterns.
- convey verb
To communicate or express a thought, feeling, or underlying idea so that it is understood by others.
Human facial expressions can convey a wide spectrum of subtle emotional nuances simultaneously.
- developmental adjective
Relating to the gradual growth, maturation, or evolution of something, especially during early stages of life.
The psychologist specialized in identifying developmental abnormalities in early childhood cognitive processing.
- diversity noun
The condition of having or being composed of differing elements, characteristics, or varied qualities.
The genetic diversity within the target population provides resilience against specific inherited diseases.
- entrenched adjective
Firmly established and incredibly difficult to change, often referring to habits, beliefs, or structural systems.
These archaic administrative procedures have become deeply entrenched in the institution's corporate culture.
- fossilise verb
To be preserved in earth or rock over geological timeframes, becoming a hardened permanent structural record.
Under specific optimal conditions, delicate organic materials can fossilise and survive for millions of years.
- hygroscopic adjective
Possessing the inherent physical tendency to readily attract and absorb moisture from the surrounding atmospheric environment.
The mineral compound is highly hygroscopic, meaning it must be systematically stored in airtight scientific containers.
- inherit verb
To receive a specific genetic characteristic or physiological predisposition from an ancestor or parent.
Researchers hypothesize that a tendency toward the condition might be genetically inherited across generations.
- irrigate verb
To supply land or crops with water by means of constructed artificial channels to promote agricultural growth.
Ancient civilizations engineered complex aqueduct networks to irrigate their expanding agricultural territories.
- lethal dose noun
The exact quantified amount of radiation, drug, or toxic substance required to cause cellular death.
Astrophysicists calculated the lethal dose of cosmic radiation that would eliminate any surface-dwelling organisms.
- myriad adjective
Constituting a countless or exceedingly great number; encompassing an incredibly diverse array of elements.
The rainforest canopy provides crucial shelter for a myriad of undiscovered insect and plant species.
- neuroscientist noun
An academic expert or medical researcher who studies the structure and function of the nervous system.
Cognitive neuroscientists are actively mapping how the human brain processes complex visual stimuli.
- persist verb
To continue to exist or endure over a prolonged period, often despite challenging or adverse conditions.
Liquid water cannot persist on the Martian surface due to exceptionally low atmospheric pressure.
- physiological adjective
Relating to the biological branch that deals with the normal internal functions of living organisms.
Intense altitude training induces profound physiological adaptations, particularly regarding red blood cell production.
- pre-eminence noun
The condition of surpassing all others in quality, rank, or achievement; absolute superiority in a field.
The university maintains its pre-eminence in scientific research through extensive funding and cutting-edge facilities.
- prosopagnosia noun
A severe neurological disorder characterized by the inability to recognize the faces of familiar people.
Individuals diagnosed with prosopagnosia must rely on voice and posture to identify their family members.
- recollect verb
To remember or bring to mind a memory or past event, often requiring deliberate conscious effort.
The witness struggled to accurately recollect the exact sequence of events that occurred that afternoon.
- risk factor noun
A specific condition, biological trait, or behavior that increases the likelihood of developing a disorder.
Early childhood exposure to certain environmental toxins represents a major risk factor for neurological complications.
- sanction verb
To give official permission, authorization, or formal approval for an action, policy, or specific equipment.
The international governing body officially sanctioned the use of the new aerodynamic racing bicycles.
- scenario noun
A postulated sequence or hypothetical development of future events; a projected academic or scientific model.
Climate scientists presented a worst-case scenario detailing the irreversible collapse of polar ice shelves.
- simulate verb
To artificially imitate the appearance, character, or conditions of a specific natural situation or process.
Engineers utilize sophisticated software to simulate fluid dynamics in highly complex aerodynamic environments.
- terrestrial adjective
Pertaining to the Earth or inhabiting its land surface, as opposed to aquatic or extraterrestrial environments.
Biologists frequently compare potential extraterrestrial organic signatures with known terrestrial bacteria to identify similarities.
- transition verb
To undergo a fundamental process or period of changing from one physiological or physical state to another.
The planet's climate gradually transitioned from a temperate, wet environment to an arid desert.
- treacherous adjective
Presenting hidden, unpredictable dangers or hazardous conditions while appearing superficially safe or stable.
Navigating the treacherous mountain roads required specialized equipment and extensive local geographic knowledge.
- violate verb
To purposefully fail to comply with or act in direct defiance of a rule, standard, or principle.
The anti-doping agency determined that the synthetic supplements did not violate fair competition standards.
- visual data noun
Information that is perceived through the eyes and interpreted by the brain's cognitive processing centers.
The occipital lobe functions as a processor, constantly interpreting visual data gathered from the environment.
Answers with explanations
- 27. D
Paragraph D specifically details a "**Martian meteorite found on Earth**" in Antarctica that provided new physical evidence and raised doubts about earlier findings.
- 28. H
Paragraph H suggests that if Martian samples use DNA, it "**would indicate a common origin for Martian and Earth life**", which directly matches the idea that both planets may share the same origin of life.
- 29. A
Paragraph A describes Percival Lowell's belief that a "**great network of canals had been dug to irrigate crops**", which matches the depiction of large-scale agricultural constructions.
- 30. G
Paragraph G explains that the SOLID life-detection instrument is being tested in the Atacama Desert to be used in "**environments similar to Martian sub-soil**". This describes a project simulating Martian conditions.
- 31. E
Paragraph E states that Mars's climate "**gradually transitioned from warm and wet to cold and dry**". This directly describes a drastic climatic transformation.
- 32. F
Paragraph F highlights that NASA's recent missions search for evidence of "**ancient liquid water**" like lakes or oceans, matching scientific attempts to locate liquid water.
- 33. C
Lowell believed there were canals to irrigate crops with vegetation, which links to option C (traces of water and agriculture).
- 34. B
Science fiction novels like *The War of the Worlds* "**gripped the public's imagination**". People absorbed these new ideas primarily through these literary works (Option B).
- 35. B
The finding of a barren, cratered landscape similar to the Moon (not dynamic like Earth) supports Option B.
- 36. A
The technology is being tested in the Atacama Desert to explore organisms under conditions analogous to Mars, supporting Option A.
- 37. NOT GIVEN
The passage mentions advanced technology but does not claim it surpassed humans in *every* field. Result: NOT GIVEN.
- 38. FALSE
Paragraph D states a meteorite found on Earth "**raised fresh doubts about the above analysis**" of the Viking probes, meaning the evidence was challenged. Result: FALSE.
- 39. TRUE
Analysis revealed magnetite linked to specific micro-organisms. Result: TRUE.
- 40. NOT GIVEN
The text does not state the project will be sent *only* once DNA life is identified on Earth. Result: NOT GIVEN.