Direction: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. Any ______ (1) ______ that revolves around a planet is a satellite. Mother Earth has a natural satellite in the moon. The earth is circled by a lot of man-made or artificial satellites. In 1957, the Soviet Sputnik was the first to be ______ (2) ______ into space. There are currently a number of artificial satellites launched into space by various nations. These satellites make it possible for us to talk on the phone, watch television, predict the weather, map the various surfaces of the earth and learn more about the world in which we live. How does a satellite get started? It is typically launched into space by means of a rocket. After ascending into the thinner air layers above the earth, the satellite is released from the rocket. For a successful satellite launch, a rocket's speed is carefully calculated and controlled. Every object in space is pushed toward the earth's centre by gravity. The inertia of motion will propel the object into space if it has its own velocity of motion. When the orbital velocity is exactly right, these two opposing forces are balanced, causing the satellite to ______ (3) ______ toward the earth while still hovering over its surface. A satellite is said to be in geo-stationary orbit when it completes one revolution around the earth in a 24-hour period; It doesn't change when compared to a point on the surface of the earth. These orbits are typically used by satellites for communication and weather. The camera on the weather satellites takes pictures and sends them back to Earth. These are helping aid in weather forecasting. Radio receivers and amplifiers on communication satellites can ______ (4) ______ waves back at a frequency that is different from the one the satellite received. The beaming frequencies of satellites that are 'parked' too close to one another must not interfere with one another. Television signals can be transmitted from one location to other using broadcast satellites, and scientists can ______ (5) ______ scientific data from numerous satellites.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank no. 1.
The question asks us to fill in the first blank in the provided passage about satellites. Let's look at the sentence containing blank (1):
"Any ______ (1) ______ that revolves around a planet is a satellite."
This sentence is giving us a definition of what a satellite is. We need to find a word that fits the description of something that revolves around a planet.
Analyzing Options for Blank 1 in the Satellite Passage
Let's consider the given options for blank (1):
- piece: This word is too general and doesn't typically describe something orbiting a planet in a scientific context.
- being: This word usually refers to a living creature. A satellite is not a living being.
- body: This word can refer to a physical entity, often used in astronomy (e.g., celestial body). It fits the idea of something in space.
- object: This is a very general term for a thing. In physics and astronomy, "object" is frequently used to refer to physical entities in space, including planets, stars, and satellites (both natural and artificial).
Considering the definition being provided – something that revolves around a planet – both "body" and "object" seem plausible. However, "object" is a broader and very commonly used term in this context to refer to anything physical, especially something being described generically as revolving around another celestial body. The passage later refers to objects in space pushed by gravity, reinforcing the use of "object" in this context.
Therefore, the most appropriate word to complete the definition "Any ______ (1) ______ that revolves around a planet is a satellite" is "object".
Step-by-step analysis of the sentence structure:
The sentence defines a satellite. It starts with "Any...", implying a general category of things. The blank needs to fill this category. The defining characteristic is "that revolves around a planet".
- "Any piece that revolves..." - Doesn't sound natural or scientifically accurate.
- "Any being that revolves..." - Incorrect, as satellites are not living beings.
- "Any body that revolves..." - Plausible, as a celestial body can be a satellite (like the Moon). Artificial satellites can also be considered bodies.
- "Any object that revolves..." - Also plausible and very commonly used in physics and astronomy for any physical thing, whether natural or man-made, in space. It serves as a general term encompassing both natural bodies and artificial structures.
Given the common usage in scientific descriptions and the context of both natural (moon) and man-made (artificial) satellites being discussed, "object" is the most fitting general term.
Filling the blank with "object" gives: "Any object that revolves around a planet is a satellite." This is a standard and correct definition.
| Option | Suitability | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| piece | Unsuitable | Too informal and not standard terminology for celestial or orbiting entities. |
| being | Unsuitable | Incorrect; satellites are not living organisms. |
| body | Suitable | Refers to a physical entity; celestial bodies include satellites. |
| object | Most Appropriate | General term widely used for physical entities in space, covering both natural bodies and artificial structures like satellites. |
Revision Table: Understanding Satellite Terminology
| Term | Definition/Context |
|---|---|
| Satellite | An object that revolves around a planet. Can be natural (like the Moon) or artificial (man-made spacecraft). |
| Natural Satellite | A celestial body that orbits a larger celestial body, usually a planet. Example: The Moon orbiting Earth. |
| Artificial Satellite | A man-made spacecraft that has been launched into orbit around the Earth or another celestial body. Used for communication, weather forecasting, navigation, etc. |
| Orbit | The curved path of a celestial object or spacecraft around a star, planet, or moon. |
| Gravity | The force of attraction between any two objects with mass. It is what keeps satellites in orbit around a planet. |
Additional Information on Satellites
Satellites are crucial for many aspects of modern life and scientific research. The passage highlights some of their uses:
- Communication: Enabling phone calls and television broadcasting across long distances. Communication satellites receive signals from Earth and relay them to other locations.
- Weather Forecasting: Weather satellites monitor atmospheric conditions and send back images and data that help meteorologists predict weather patterns.
- Navigation: Systems like GPS (Global Positioning System) rely on constellations of satellites orbiting Earth to provide precise location information.
- Scientific Research: Satellites equipped with various instruments can study Earth's surface, atmosphere, oceans, and even look out into deep space.
Maintaining a satellite in orbit requires a balance between the force of gravity pulling it towards the planet and the satellite's inertia (its tendency to keep moving in a straight line) from its velocity. The precise orbital velocity ensures the satellite follows a curved path around the planet instead of falling to the surface or flying off into space.
Important Questions from Cloze Test
What would come in blank space (1)?
What would come in blank space (2)?
What would come in blank space (3)?
What would come in blank space (4)?
What would come in blank space (5)?
