Daily Quiz

Question 1:

The goal of this passage is primarily to:

A. explain the effects of Copernicus’ research on contemporary science.
B. describe the effects of cosmic humility on scientific research.
C. question the validity of a prevailing theory.
D. compare the advantages of two competing theories.

Question 2:

The passage indicates that, in regard to density, physicists formerly believed that dark matter:

A. did not contain calculable density.
B. had approximately the same density as that of a supernova.
C. was far less dense than it was later shown to be.
D. was far denser than it was later shown to be.

Question 3:

It can be reasonably inferred that the discovery of dark matter occurred:

A. in the 16th century.
B. in the 19th century.
C. in the 1970s.
D. in the 1990s.

Question 4:

The primary function of the last paragraph is to:

A. describe the essential properties of dark energy.
B. propose an alternate theory to explain the acceleration of the universe.
C. discuss the importance of a particular kind of data.
D. explain why a seemingly well-functioning model should be challenged.

Question 5:

The notion of “cosmic humility,” as it is defined in the passage, is based on the belief that:

A. the earth’s location contains few features that distinguish it from other places in the universe.
B. Copernicus’ theory contained many significant weaknesses.
C. it would be unthinkable to compare the earth to other planets.
D. although there are many galaxies in the universe, there are few that are worth exploring.

Question 6:

Which of the following statements correctly states why scientists believe that dark energy must exist?

A. Supernova data suggest that the universe’s rate of expansion is fundamentally unpredictable.
B. Supernova data have forced scientists to reject the cosmological principle.
C. Matter that should theoretically increase the rate of the universe’s expansion is decreasing it instead.
D. Matter that should theoretically slow down the rate of the universe’s expansion is being overridden by a stronger force.

Question 7:

What is the primary purpose of the fifth paragraph (lines 77-103)?

A. question a commonly accepted theory.
B. explain the reasoning behind a prominent assumption.
C. introduce a personal anecdote to emphasize the main idea.
D. provide support for a new, developing theory.

Question 8:

The passage suggests that scientists have been hesitant to abandon the idea that the earth is “insignificant” because:

A. they are afraid that a more positive view of the earth’s place in the universe will destroy scientific objectivity.
B. they believe that their research will be perceived as a threat to the Copernican principle.
C. it has allowed them to conceptualize many places and events that they could not otherwise study.
D. they would risk professional ruin.

Question 9:

According to the first paragraph, Copernicus’ discovery was based on:

A. his discovery that the universe was expanding.
B. his overwhelming belief in heliocentric theory.
C. a tiny deviation in the brightness of exploding stars.
D. seemingly insignificant details that were dismissed by his colleagues.

Question 10:

Given the explanation of redshift provided in the passage, it can be reasonably inferred that the phenomenon described in the sixth paragraph (lines 104-122) is based on the principle that:

A. longer lightwaves indicate the presence of dark energy in the universe.
B. longer lightwaves result in more concentrated shades of red.
C. shorter lightwaves result in more concentrated shades of red.
D. shorter lightwaves indicate the presence of dark energy in the universe.

Reading 41

Quiz Summary

Information

Results

Results

Categories

1. Question

2. Question

3. Question

4. Question

5. Question

6. Question

7. Question

8. Question

9. Question

10. Question