Comprehension

Astrologers are habitually prone to goof-ups; now have an excuse for why their predictions have been going haywire: the emergence of newer and newer planets that have caused their calculations to go awry. For the international team of astronomers who recently discovered eight new planets, the arrivals are, however, a cause for excitement. Indeed, even as the rest of the world continues to be consumed by a morbid passion for shiny new war machines, deadly chemicals and sinister war tactics, astronomers have been doggedly searching the heavens for more heavenly bodies in the belief that the search will take us closer to a more exalted goal " that of knowing the truth about us and the universe. Reality is much bigger than it seems the part we call the universe is the merest tip of the iceberg, one scientist remarked. How true. In the beginning, skeptics wouldn't accept that the earth actually moves, let alone that it revolves around the sun because of an unshaken belief that the earth was the centre of the universe. We've come a long way. Today, scientists have spotted nearly 80 extra-solar planets using sophisticated instruments. What's more, our universe may not be the only universe in the cosmos; there could well be several parallel universes teeming with many galaxies, solar systems and planets, although none of this may be perceptible to the naked eye. Perhaps sages who say that truth is not easily perceptible, mean just this " what is evidently before us is not the whole truth.
Scientists say that everything in the tangible universe has its shadowy counterpart in other, parallel universes. In fact, it is by observing the play of cosmic light and shadow through powerful devices that scientists have been able to feel shapes or see shadows that indicate the existence of other heavenly bodies without actually seeing them. The international team of scientists involved in the present discovery conducted their search through telescopes in Australia, Belgium, UK and the US. Two of the newly discovered eight planets are believed to have circular orbits very like the Earth's, while the others have well-defined elliptical orbits much like Pluto's. This is significant because a planet with a circular orbit would more likely be hospitable to life forms than would one with an elliptical orbit. In the latter, the planet experiences extreme temperatures depending on whether it is proximate to or distant from the energy-giving star it's circumambulating. As in the case of other recent discoveries " such as finding traces of microbes in a meteorite " this too strengthens the belief that we are not alone in the universe. So would we be exchanging inter galactic e-mails soon? Perhaps not as yet, given that our closest neighbouring galaxy is millions of light years away. What is within our immediate grasp, though, is exploring the viability of establishing human settlements in space " an endeavour that has assumed urgency what with biological terrorism and the like threatening humankind on earth. As Stephen Hawking recently said, I don't think the human race will survive the next thousand years unless we spread into space. There are too many accidents that can befall life on a single planet.

Question: 1

According to the passage, it can be inferred that

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Look for keywords that directly address the main point of the passage when selecting the correct inference.
Updated On: Mar 7, 2025
  • finding traces of microbes in a meteorite proves the existence of life on other planets.
  • finding traces of microbes in a meteorite contributed the belief into truth that we are not alone in the universe.
  • finding traces of microbes in a meteorite made it possible to exchange galactic e-mails in future.
  • finding traces of microbes in a meteorite made us think about exploring the viability of establishing human settlements in space.
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The passage talks about finding traces of microbes in a meteorite, which is proof that we are not alone in the universe.
Thus, the correct answer is (A).
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Question: 2

According to the author's belief, it can be inferred that all of the following are not true except

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Look for keywords like "likely" or "possible" in the passage to identify the most plausible inference.
Updated On: Mar 7, 2025
  • It is unlikely that the human race can survive the next thousand years.
  • It seems quite likely that the human race can survive the next thousand years.
  • Accidents will wipe out the human race from this planet by accident within the next one thousand years.
  • The age of human race is one thousand years.
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The author infers that humanity may not survive the next thousand years unless we spread into space. This aligns with option (A).
Thus, the correct answer is (A).
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Question: 3

According to the passage, we can infer that

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When dealing with questions about inferences, make sure to consider the larger context of the passage before selecting the most suitable answer.
Updated On: Mar 7, 2025
  • Parallel universes are half truth and half truth is not perceptible.
  • Parallel universes are not easily perceptible because they are not the whole truth.
  • Parallel universes are not easily perceptible and what we perceive is not the whole truth.
  • Truth is always easily perceptible.
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The passage discusses how parallel universes may exist but are not easily perceptible.
Step 2: It suggests that the truth we perceive may not be the whole truth.
Step 3: Therefore, the correct inference is (C), as it aligns with the passage's statement.
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Question: 4

After the discovery of new planets, according to the passage, scientists are

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Pay attention to the emotional context described in the passage, which helps in determining the most accurate mood or reaction of the scientists.
Updated On: Mar 7, 2025
  • Somber
  • Wistful
  • Serene
  • Elated
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The passage highlights the excitement and anticipation following the discovery of new planets.
Step 2: Scientists are described as being involved in the search for new planets and their significance.
Step 3: The tone suggests that scientists are feeling elated about the discovery, as it adds to the excitement about the possibility of life in the universe.
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Question: 5

According to the passage, it can be inferred that

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When making inferences, carefully read the passage to understand how concepts like habitability are linked with specific conditions.
Updated On: Mar 7, 2025
  • A planet with a circular orbit is more likely to be hospitable to life than one with an elliptical orbit because the latter experiences very low temperatures.
  • A planet with a circular orbit is more likely to be hospitable to life forms than would one with an elliptical orbit since the latter is proximate to the energy-giving star it is circumambulating.
  • A planet with a circular orbit is more likely to be hospitable to life forms than would one with an elliptical orbit because the latter experiences extreme temperatures.
  • Both A and C
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The passage states that a planet with a circular orbit is more likely to support life because it experiences a more stable environment, unlike one with an elliptical orbit that faces extreme temperature variations. Step 2: The inference made is that the circular orbit provides a more favorable environment for life. Both A and C align with this reasoning.
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