CHAPTER 16 / PRACTICE TEST 3 743
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- Which of the following best describes the func-
tion of the third paragraph?
(A) It asks more questions similar to those
posed in the second paragraph.
(B) It provides more background informa-
tion on the debate discussed in the
passage.
(C) It explains a comment made in the
second paragraph.
(D) It defines an important term mentioned
in the second paragraph.
(E) It presents an opinion contrary to one
presented in the second paragraph. - In line 46, the word “abiotic” most nearly means
(A) resistant to bacteria
(B) devoid of life
(C) highly populated
(D) extremely advanced
(E) quick growing - Which of the following best summarizes the
main idea of Passage 1?
(A) The conditions that support complex life
may be much more difficult to maintain
than is widely assumed.
(B) The Drake equation is not a valid predic-
tor of life in the universe.
(C) Evolution on Earth has made it very un-
likely that there would be complex life on
other planets.
(D) The number of planets in the universe
with complex life is astronomical.
(E) Conditions allowing for the existence of
microbes are rare. - In line 57, “grade” most nearly means
(A) level
(B) slope
(C) evaluation
(D) life
(E) quantity- The author of Passage 1 makes all of the follow-
ing claims in support of his argument EXCEPT
(A) Complex life on Earth was due in part to
haphazard events.
(B) Higher life forms sometimes face the
likelihood of extinction due to cata-
strophic events.
(C) The Earth’s carbon-in-water example is
probably not the only way for life to
come into existence.
(D) Simple forms of life are far more com-
mon than highly evolved life forms.
(E) The evolution of life can be affected by
the positions of planets around a star. - The “sample size of one” (line 78) refers to
(A) the Milky Way galaxy
(B) Drake and Sagan’s data
(C) the planet Earth
(D) the Sun of our solar system
(E) mass extinction events - The quotations in lines 101–105 serve to
(A) show how the author would respond to
someone who disagrees with him
(B) illustrate an argument for why there is
no life on neighboring planets
(C) explain a theory the author has disagreed
with his entire career
(D) describe a conversation the author had
with a colleague
(E) illustrate the author’s confusion about
the origin of alternate life forms - The author includes the anecdote in lines
121–131 in order to
(A) compare his cat to the complex life
forms in nearby galaxies
(B) give supporting evidence to the claim
that life in the universe is unique to the
Earth
(C) caution scientists about drawing premature
conclusions from one specific occurrence
(D) mock scientists who believe that animals
such as cats can live on other planets
(E) show the result of an evolutionary process