Questions 1-11 are based on the following passage and supplementary material.
Adapted from ”NASA's NuSTAR Helps Solve Riddle of Black Hole Spin.”©2013 by NASA.
1.The main purpose of the passage is to
A) contradict a long standing scientific hypothesis.
B) discuss the findings and implications of a recent study.
C) show how modern techno1ogy can improve scientific observations.
D) inform readers about the history of a phenomenon.
2.In designing their study, the scientists most probably thought of Ei1ostein's theory of gravity as
A) an outdated model which needed to be updated to incorporate new technologies.
B) a scientific breakthrough that had yet to be tested and proven correct.
C) a baseline hypothesis that they hoped to validate though the study's experiments.
D) a major scientific discovery that they wanted to update and revise in their study.
3.As used in line 42, “tremendous” most near1y means
A) colossal.
B) amazing.
C) dreadful
D) appalling.
4.What effect does the word “monsters” (1ine 48) have on the tone of the passage?
A) It creates a heightened tone that reinforces the massive size of black holes.
B) It creates a frightening tone that suggests that black holes are something to fear.
C) It creates an alarming tone that implies that measuring black holes is impossible.
D) It creates a menacing tone that hints at the destructive power of black holes.
5.According to the passage, gas c1ouds are relevant to the field of black hole science due to the
A) effect that they have had in preventing the accurate collection of black hole data.
B) extent to which they are linked in a symbiotic relationship with black holes.
C) ability they have to warp the view of the study's telescopes in space.
D) degree to which they are connected to Einstein's theory regarding accretion disks.
6.Which best describes the roles played in the study by NuSTAR and XMM-Newton?
A) NuSTAR provided more precise information about a finding made by XMM-Newton.
B) XMM-Newton was able to see more deeply into space than NuSTAR.
C) XMM-Newton validated a finding first made by NuSTAR.
D) NuSTAR's X-ray data contradicted XMMNewton's findings.
7.Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
A) lines 1-5 (“Two... Sun”)
B) lines 27-30 (“NuSTAR...detail”)
C) lines 66-68 (“In...1365”)
D) lines 68-71 (“While...vicinity”)
8.The best restatement of the author's view of the study's findings is that the author
A) believes the findings eliminate previous ambiguities.
B) is concerned that there is not enough evidence to prove the scientists' theory.
C) accepts that the study's findings require no further research.
D) concludes that more questions than answers have been raised.
9.Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?
A) lines 40-42 (“The...hole”)
B) lines 45-47 (“Measuring...galaxy”)
C) lines 75-77 (“With...rate”)
D) lines 78-80 (“The...rates”)
10.The passage makes the most extensive use of which type of evidence?
A) Scientific observations
B) Expert testimony
C) Historical documentation
D) Statistical evidence
11.The author includes a quote from Guido Risaliti (1ines 48-53) most likely to
A) help readers understand black holes as unknowable and dangerous.
B) support the claim that supermassive black holes have a warping effect.
C) back up the argument that black holes and galaxies remain a mystery.
D) add context to the discussion of the importance of spin rates.