Digital SATReading and Writing: Craft and StructureMedium
The following passage discusses the challenges of interstellar travel: "Despite decades of theoretical advancements, the practicalities of interstellar travel remain daunting. The sheer distances involved necessitate speeds approaching a significant fraction of the speed of light, leading to relativistic effects that complicate navigation and communication. Furthermore, the energy requirements for such velocities are astronomical, far exceeding current technological capabilities. Even if these hurdles were overcome, the biological effects of prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation and microgravity present a formidable, perhaps insurmountable, obstacle to human crews." Which of the following best describes the main purpose of this passage?
- ATo explain the scientific principles behind relativistic physics.
- BTo argue that interstellar travel is an impossible endeavor.
- CTo advocate for increased funding for interstellar research.
- DTo highlight the current limitations of human space exploration.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. To highlight the current limitations of human space exploration.
The passage details multiple significant challenges ('daunting,' 'astronomical,' 'formidable, perhaps insurmountable') involved in interstellar travel, all of which point to the current limitations of human space exploration, rather than advocating, declaring impossibility, or explaining physics.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Relativistic effects are mentioned as a challenge, but the passage does not explain the principles of relativistic physics in detail.
- B. While the challenges are severe, the passage uses phrases like 'perhaps insurmountable,' which stops short of declaring it definitively impossible.
- C. The passage describes problems but does not make a case for funding.
Author's Purpose
The reason an author writes a text, often categorized as to inform, persuade, or entertain.
- Determines the text's tone, structure, and content.
- Requires careful analysis of the main idea and supporting details.
- Can be explicit or implicit.
Memory trick: PIE: Persuade, Inform, Entertain.