Questions of the TOEFL iBT Reading Comprehension Practice Test 029

Question 1. According to the paragraph, what is a light-year?
A) A unit of time used to measure astronomical distances
B) The speed at which light travels in space
C) The distance that light travels in one year in the vacuum of space
D) The distance that light travels in one second in the vacuum of space

Question 2. According to the paragraph, which of the following is NOT true about light-years?
A) Light-years can only be used to describe distances within the Milky Way galaxy and nearby galaxies.
B) Light-years can describe the distance that light has traveled in a straight line.
C) Light-years can be used to accurately measure the distance between two celestial bodies.
D) Light-years allow us to determine the distance and position of distant stars and galaxies.

Question 3. The author mentions all of the following EXCEPT:
A) Light-years are useful in astronomy because they allow astronomers to describe the distances between celestial bodies in a more meaningful way.
B) Light-years can only be used to describe distances within the Milky Way galaxy and nearby galaxies.
C) Light-years help us to determine the size and structure of the universe.
D) Light-years are not relevant to space exploration.

Question 4. Which of the following can be inferred from the paragraph about light-years?
A) Light-years can only be used to describe distances within the Milky Way galaxy and nearby galaxies.
B) Light-years allow us to measure the time it takes for light to reach us from a distant star.
C) Light-years can accurately measure the distance between two celestial bodies even if light is deflected by gravity.
D) Light-years have significant implications for space exploration and our understanding of the universe.

Question 5. Why does the author mention that light can be deflected by gravity?
A) To emphasize the usefulness of light-years as a unit of measurement.
B) To highlight the limitations of using light-years to measure astronomical distances.
C) To explain how light-years are critical to space exploration.
D) To demonstrate the importance of understanding the implications of light-years on our understanding of the universe.

Question 6. The word "habitable" in the passage is closest in meaning to:
A) Accessible
B) Inhabitable
C) Suitable
D) Adapted

Question 7. In stating "looking at objects in space is essentially looking back in time," the author means that:
A) Light takes a long time to reach us from distant objects.
B) We can only see objects in space that are in the past.
C) The study of distant objects can reveal information about the history of the universe.
D) Objects in space are constantly changing over time.

Question 8. Look at the four letters – (A), (B), (C), and (D), – that indicate where the following sentence can be added to the passage. "Looking at objects in space is essentially looking back in time." Where would the sentence best fit?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)

Question 9. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage."Light-years are a unit of distance used to measure astronomical distances and have significant implications for our understanding of the universe."
Light-years are a unit of distance used in astronomy to describe the distances between celestial bodies, and they help us to understand the scale of the universe. They are also critical to space exploration for navigation and understanding the universe.
The distance that light travels in a year, known as a light-year, allows astronomers to determine the size and structure of the universe, and studying distant stars and galaxies provides insight into the history of the universe.
Light-years can only be used to describe distances within the Milky Way galaxy and nearby galaxies, and they only describe the distance that light has traveled in a straight line, which can make it difficult to accurately measure the distance between celestial bodies.
The distance that light travels in a year is insufficient to describe the distances between galaxies, and light-years can only be used to describe distances within the Milky Way galaxy.