A New Planet is Discovered Reading Answers

Aug 14, 2024

The topic discussed is an academic reading answers topic. A new planet is discovered Reading Answers have a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the questions, you have to choose the correct option among the given choices. In the next section, you have to choose the right answer for each planet in the image. In the last section, you have to tell whether the statement is true or false. In the next section, you have to answer with one or two words.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers, which feature topics such as A New Planet is Discovered Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Section 1

A NEW PLANET IS DISCOVERED

[Humans have long been fascinated by the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Novels, films and folk tales have encouraged curiosity and speculation about what might be 'out there' in space. More recently, scientists have joined in on the collective wonderment after the first discovery by astronomers of a new planet-Gliese 581g-that could almost certainly support such organisms. Steven Vogt-one of the two astronomers credited with discovering the planet declared that the chances of life on this planet are 100%' and that he has 'almost no doubt about it'. ]

A. Although we currently know very little about Gliese 581g, a couple of its features strongly indicate that this planet might harbour the existence of organisms. Firstly, Gliese 581g is located at almost exactly the right distance from its red dwarf parent star (Gliese 581) to sustain liquid water, which is the only known criterion for organic formation. Planets that orbit too close to or too far away from their stars do not have a suitable climate; this can only be found in a slender strip of solar space around each star known to astronomers as a 'habitable zone'. Around our star Sun-Earth is the only planet that occupies this zone, although it nearly stretches to Venus and Mars. Gliese 581g is also the right size for organic life. It is about 3.1 to 4.3 times the size of Earth, and this relatively low mass means it should be made mostly of rock. Planets that grow beyond 10 times the size of Earth tend to become gaseous and uninhabitable, without the solid or liquid infrastructure necessary for organisms.

B. Gliese 581g is part of a string of planets in the Gliese 581 solar system. Two of Gliese 581g's siblings- Gliese 581e and Gliese 581b-orbit too close to their parent star to support any kind of life on them. Gliese 581c skims the near side of the habitable zone but scientists suggest that it does not have enough of a toehold in this zone to provide a stable infrastructure for organic formations roughly the same goes for Gliese 581d, which has a stronger presence in the habitable zone on its far side, but may not be hot enough for liquid water-opinion is not 'completely settled' on this matter, says James Kasting of Pennsylvania State University. Kasting, who has studied the two Gliese 581 planets on the outer edges of the habitable zone, suggests that Gliese 581g is 'smack dab in the middle' of the zone which, along with its size and composition, makes it the most exciting and realistic prospect for extraterrestrial life yet.

C. The comparisons between the Earth and Gliese 581g should not be overstated, however. Even if Gliese 581g can sustain organisms it would be a very different place to live. The main difference is that Gliese 581g orbits much closer to its star than the Earth does to the Sun. Because Gliese 581 is only 1% as bright as the Sun, it exudes little warmth, and its habitable zone lies much closer than the Sun's. At this closer distance, planets in the zone get locked into strong gravitational pulls that tend to slow their circular movements over time. Eventually, they become stuck with one side constantly facing the star-just as the Moon always shows the Earth the same face. Because of this, Gliese 581g experiences permanent daytime on the side likely facing the star and permanent shadow on the other side. It is estimated therefore that average temperatures on the star side would be about 71 degrees C and average temperatures on the other much chillier: -34°C. Nevertheless, Steven Vogt suggests that Gliese 581g probably has a comfortable area along the midpoint, known as the terminator. Any life here would always see the star sitting on the horizon and consequently experience eternal sunrise or sunset.

D. Even if there is no life on Gliese 581g, its discovery reveals that habitable planets are quite common, with around 10 to 20% of red dwarves and sun-like stars boasting them. Gliese 581 is one of just nine stars at that particular distance which astronomers have searched with high enough precision to uncover a planet in the habitable zone. While the odds may prove to be slightly lower than 10 per cent, the evidence of life or at least, the high possibility of life is still overwhelming. There are at least a few hundred billion stars in our galaxy, which means that around 20 to 40 billion planets have the potential for the development of organisms.

E. And so, the search for life continues. Unfortunately, Gliese 581g is not particularly amenable to observation. The next step in finding out the chances of life on the planet would be to measure its light spectrum, a process that would reveal molecular oxygen if indeed it exists. The elara from the parent star makes this impossible to do with current instruments, however. Another way to gather information would be to transport a vessel to and trom the planet. The technology currently exists to do this, but at 20 light years from earth, it would take 200 years for astronomers to receive the result. Luckily, new information may just be a few years away. Astronomers suggest that many rocky planets are likely to be found in habitable zones during the coming years, and some of these will provide a better platform for research with current instruments.

Questions 14-18

Write the correct letter, A-E.

Reading Passage 2 has five paragraphs, A.

14. A reason why we cannot learn much more about Gliese 581g shortly

Answer: E

Supporting statement: “......The next step in finding out the chances of life on the planet would be to measure its light spectrum......”

Keywords: impossible, current

Keyword Location: para E, lines 2-4

Explanation: Paragraph E explains that the glare from the parent star makes it impossible to measure Gliese 581g's light spectrum with current instruments, thus preventing further learning about the planet shortly.

15. An estimate of the number of planets in habitable zones

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “......There are at least a few hundred billion stars in our galaxy, which means that around 20 to 40 billion planets have the potential for the development of organisms......”

Keywords: billion, stars

Keyword Location: para D, lines 5-6

Explanation: Paragraph D estimates that around 20 to 40 billion planets in our galaxy have the potential for the development of organisms, indicating the number of planets in habitable zones.

16. An explanation for why Gliese 581g may not rotate

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “......At this closer distance, planets in the zone get locked into strong gravitational pulls that tend to slow their circular movements over time. Eventually, they become stuck......”

Keywords: pulls, slow

Keyword Location: para C, lines 6-8

Explanation: Paragraph C explains that due to strong gravitational pulls, Gliese 581g may become locked with one side always facing its star, similar to the Moon's relationship with Earth, indicating it may not rotate.

17. Gliese 581g's location about other planets

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “......Gliese 581g is part of a string of planets in the Gliese 581 solar system. Two of Gliese 581g's siblings-Gliese 581e and Gliese 581b-orbit too close to their parent star to support any kind of life on them.......”

Keywords: planets, Gliese

Keyword Location: para B, lines 1-3

Explanation: Paragraph B describes Gliese 581g's location within its solar system and its relation to other planets like Gliese 581e and Gliese 581b, indicating its position.

18. A pre-requisite for the beginning of life

Answer: A

Supporting statement: “......Firstly, Gliese 581g is located at almost exactly the right distance from its red dwarf parent star (Gliese 581) to sustain liquid water, which is the only known criterion for organic formation.......”

Keywords: water, organic

Keyword Location: para A, lines 1-3

Explanation: Paragraph A states that being at the right distance to sustain liquid water is a pre-requisite for the beginning of life, as seen with Gliese 581g.

Questions 19-23

Choose the correct letter from A - E from the box below.

A. Gliese 581c

B. Gliese 581d

C. Gliese 581e

D. Gliese 581g

E. Earth

Q.19

Answer: E

Supporting statement: “.....Around our star-the Sun-Earth is the only planet that occupies this zone, although it nearly stretches to Venus and Mars.......”

Keywords: Sun, Earth

Keyword Location: para A, lines 6-7

Explanation: Paragraph A indicates that Earth is the only planet in our solar system's habitable zone, making E the correct answer.

Q.20

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “....Two of Gliese 581g's siblings-Gliese 581e and Gliese 581b-orbit too close to their parent star to support any kind of life on them........”

Keywords: close, no life

Keyword Location: para B, lines 2-3

Explanation: Paragraph B states that Gliese 581e orbits too close to its star to support life.Hence C is the correct answer.

Q.21

Answer: A

Supporting statement: “......Gliese 581c skims the near side of the habitable zone but scientists suggest that it does not have enough of a toehold in this zone to provide a stable infrastructure for organic formations.......”

Keywords: side, habitable

Keyword Location: para B, lines 4-5

Explanation: Paragraph B mentions that Gliese 581c is near the habitable zone but is not stable enough for life. Hence A is the correct answer.

Q.22

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “......Kasting, who has studied the two Gliese 581 planets on the outer edges of the habitable zone, suggests that Gliese 581g is 'smack dab in the middle' of the zone which, along with its size......”

Keywords: zone, extra

Keyword Location: para B, lines 8-9

Explanation: Paragraph B indicates that Gliese 581g is in the middle of the habitable zone and is a realistic prospect for life, making D the correct answer.

Q.23

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “......Gliese 581d, which has a stronger presence in the habitable zone on its far side, but may not be hot enough for liquid water......”

Keywords: side, habitable

Keyword Location: para B, lines 5-6

Explanation: Paragraph B mentions that Gliese 581d is on the far side of the habitable zone but may not be hot enough for liquid water, making B the correct answer.

Questions 24-26

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

24. To what can Gliese 581g be compared because of its lack of circular motion?

Answer: THE MOON

Supporting statement: “......Eventually, they become stuck with one side constantly facing the star-just as the Moon always shows the Earth the same face.......”

Keywords: side, Moon

Keyword Location: para C, lines 8-9

Explanation: In paragraph C, the text explains that Gliese 581g might become tidally locked, meaning it always shows the same side to its parent star, similar to how the Moon always shows the same face to Earth.

25. What is the name for the central meridian on Gliese 581g where there is no darkness?

Answer: THE TERMINATOR

Supporting statement: “.....Nevertheless, Steven Vogt suggests that Gliese 581g probably has a comfortable area along the midpoint, known as the terminator.......”

Keywords: midpoint, terminator

Keyword Location: para C, lines 12-13

Explanation: Paragraph C introduces the concept of the terminator, which is the line or area on Gliese 581g where the day side meets the night side. This region would experience a constant twilight, or eternal sunrise/sunset, making it potentially habitable due to the moderate and stable conditions.

26. What do astronomers now realise are not rare occurrences?

Answer: HABITABLE PLANETS

Supporting statement: “......Even if there is no life on Gliese 581g, its discovery reveals that habitable planets are quite common, with around 10% to 20% of red dwarves and sun-like stars boasting them.......”

Keywords: planets, quite

Keyword Location: para D, lines 1-2

Explanation: Paragraph D discusses the broader implications of discovering Gliese 581g. It mentions that this discovery indicates that habitable planets are relatively common.

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