Question
READING
This passage is about the physiological effects
of low gravity in space.
A primary goal of NASA's Life and
Biomedical Sciences and Applications Program
is to understand the mechanisms underlying the
physiological changes that occur in space and to
find ways of preventing them in astronauts. The
National Institute on Aging's high-priority research
also focuses on changes to the human body.
encompassing nervous system function. frailty.
osteoporosis, and the effects of physical exercise
on bone and muscle in the elderly.
Studies of age-related health problems have
shown that the process of physiological adaptation
to the low gravity of space induces symptoms also
seen in aging. Hence, gerontologists and space
life scientists are collaborating. Space biomedical
research could improve understanding of the basic
mechanisms of aging, and research on aging could
contribute to a better understanding of physical
deconditioning in space.
Gravity plays a role in all life processes, and
exposure to the microgravity environment of
space significantly affects living things, Certain
physiological changes that occur in space also
occur with aging. These include cardiovascular
deconditioning. balance disorders, weakening
bones and muscles, disturbed sleep, and depressed
immune response. However, these changes
are reversible in astronauts, Research has also
shown that insufficient exercise (from aging.
paralysis, or injury) can cause a downward spiral
in an individual's health over time, increasing
susceptibility to bone fractures and impairing
recovery from injuries and other ailments. What
researchers learn about the physical effects of the
inactivity that accompanies space flight may yield
ways of limiting the deconditioning symptoms of
inactivity that come with aging.
115. What is a goal of the Life and Biomedical
Sciences and Applications Program?
A. to prevent oldase in astronauts
B. to cause physiological changes in astronauts
C. to understand physiological changes
in astronauts
D. to encourage physical activity in astronauts
116. According to the author, why are space life
scientists and gerontologists cooperating?
A. to research similarities between aging
and living without gravity
B. to develop countermeasures to being
in space
C. to understand why people age in space
D. to explore the effects of lack of exercise
117. What can be inferred from the passage
regarding old age and space travel?
A. Space research receises more funding.
B. The physical characteristics of both
situations are identical.
C. It is inadvisable to send elderly people to
space.
D. Studies of both are mutually beneficial.
118. What is said about the symptoms resulting
from the low gravity of space?
A. They can be cured in astronauts.
B. They disappear when the astronauts return
to earth.
C. They can now be prevented by taking
countermeasures.
D. There are ways of eliminating the
deconditioning symptoms.
119. What are the repercussions of the downward
spiral in paragraph 3?
A. paralysis and injury
B. bone fractures
C. depressed immune response
D. a lack of physical activity
120. What can researchers learn about physical
inactivity during space flight?
A. that astronauts don't suffer physical
deconditioning
B. that astronauts are exposed to
a microgravity environment
C. methods of reducing the negative impact
of inactivity in old people
D. how people recover slowly from
physical ailments
Practice Test 3
Answer
C. to understand physiological changes in astronauts, A. to research similarities between aging and living without gravity, D. Studies of both are mutually beneficial, A. They can be cured in astronauts, B. bone fractures, C. methods of reducing the negative impact of inactivity in old people.