18 p.

192 Actual Test II

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1. Reading
For decades, scientists have denied that Mars is capable of supporting life, as it has an
extreme temperature range and a very harsh surface environment. However, recent evidence
suggests that some types of organisms could probably survive on the Red Planet.
Issue: Mars

Thesis: Organisms could live

A recent clue came from a NASA-led study, which showed that a large quantity of methane
gas is present in Marss atmosphere. Scientists estimate the gas emissions to be as great as
those on Earth.
1: Methane gas

1:

Roughly 90 percent of the methane in Earths atmosphere is of biological origin, and many
scientists feel that the methane on Mars could be the product of microorganisms.
1: Methane gas

1: biological origin microorganisms

Other support comes from an ancient Martian meteorite that contains carbon molecules and
fossil-like objects. This is significant because carbon is an essential ingredient in all known life
forms.
2: meteorite

2: carbon essential ingredient for life

And the objects found in the meteorite have been identified by some scientists as fossils of
primitive bacteria. These fossil-like objects could thus be the first proof of life outside Earth,
and finding them in the same rock with carbon presents a convincing argument.





18 p. 192 Actual Test II


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2: meteorite

2: carbon essential ingredient for life
fossil-like objects

The most significant evidence, however, is the discovery of water on the surface of Mars.
NASAs robotic Phoenix spacecraft dug into the Martian soil and then heated the soil in an
oven. When heated, the soil released water molecules.
3: water

3: soil released water molecules

This was a momentous discovery because water is considered to be a prerequisite for life. The
fact that water exists on Mars is strong evidence that the planet could support life.
3: water

3: soil released water molecules
water prerequisite for life

2. Listening
Recently, theres been a lot of speculation about the possibility of life on Mars. Well, its
understandable that everyone is excited about this possibility, but we have to be careful
not to jump to conclusions.
Issue: life on Mars

Thesis: just speculations

First up: methane gas. OK, finding methane in Mars atmosphere was indeed an incredible
discovery. Apparently theres an abundance of it. But lets be clear on one thing: methane
can be a product of either organic or inorganic processes.





18 p. 192 Actual Test II


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1: methane gas

1: product of organic or inorganic

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can also produce methane, so its presence does not
necessarily signal organic life.
1: methane gas

1: product of organic or inorganic
earthquakes, volcanoes methane

Next, we have the famous meteorite, which is believed to have come from Mars. Look,
that meteorite had been on Earth for a long time before it was discovered. So it could
have been contaminated with material from our own planet.
2: meteorite

2: on earth long time, contaminated

And another thingthe mineral composition of the meteorite is unlike that of any other
meteorite from Mars. Scientists arent even 100 percent sure that it came from Mars. So,
um, if we cant be certain of its origin, well using it as proof of life on Mars seems a bit
unreasonable.
2: meteorite

2: on earth long time, contaminated
mineral composition diff. not from Mars

Finally, the water issue has been given far too much attention. Nobodys disputing that ice
or water vapor exists on Mars. But its liquid water thats necessary for life. Now, whether
liquid water has ever existed on Mars is an interesting question.





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3: water

3: liquid necessary

Unfortunately, well, Id say its pretty obvious that its current environment is too extreme
for liquid water to exist there now. The temperature of Mars is too low and its atmosphere
is too thin. So any water would either freeze or evaporate.
3: water

3: liquid necessary
envior. too extreme: temp low, atmosph. thin
freeze or evaporate

3.
~
prior to

presence

contaminate
~ originate from

support life

suitable
4. Summary
The reading passage argues that
________________________________________
________________________________________
In contrast, the lecturer mentions several points that counter this argument

1 First, the speaker asserts that the ______ __ ________ in the
atmosphere does not prove the presence of microorganisms.
The lecturer points out that methane can be produced not only by
organic processes but also by ________________ processes, such as _________________
and ___________ _______________.
1 These points contradict the reading passages claim that methane on





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Mars is strong evidence of the presence of life on Mars.

2 The second point of the lecture is that the meteorite does not prove
that there were organisms living on Mars.
The meteorite has been on Earth for many years prior to its discovery,
and so it could have been ____________ with materials from Earth. Moreover, the lecturer
points out that the mineral composition of the meteor is ___________ from that of other
known Martian meteorites. This suggests that the meteor may not have _________
_______ Mars.

2 This counters the reading passages assertion that meteor serve as a
proof that there is life on Mars.

3 Finally, the lecturer stipulates that water exists on Mars, but she
disputes that it is proof that life could exist on Mars.
This is because water must exist in ________ _____ to support life,
but there is no evidence of liquid water on Mars. In fact, because of the low temperate
and thin atmosphere of Mars, water would either _____________ or ________________.
3 This refutes the reading passages argument that the presence of water
makes Mars __ _______ ______ ___ ________.