Reading Comprehension Home Exercise- 14, PASSAGE C

According to the controversial sunspot theory, great storms on the surface of the sun hurl streams of solar particles into the atmosphere, causing a shift in the weather on earth.

A typical sunspot consists of a dark central umbra surrounded by lighter penumbra of light and dark threads extending out form the center like the spokes of a wheel. Actually, the sunspots are cooler than the rest of the photosphere, which may account for their color. Typically, the temperature in a sunspot umbra is about 4000 K, whereas the temperature in a penumbra registers 5500 k, and the granules outside the spot are 6000K.

Sunspots have been observed in arrangements of one to more than one hundred spots, but they tend to occur in pairs. There is also a marked tendency for the two spots of a pair to have opposite magnetic polarities. Consequently, the strength of the magnetic field associated with any given sunspot is closely related to the spot’s size.

Although there is no theory that completely explains the nature and function of sunspots, several models attempt to relate the phenomenon to magnetic fields along the lines of longitude from the north and south poles of the sun.

1.       What is the author’s main purpose in the passage?

a.       To propose a theory to explain sunspots

b.      To describe the nature of sunspots

c.       To compare the umbra and the penumbra in sunspots

d.      To argue for the existence of magnetic fields in sunspots

2.       The word “controversial” in line 1 is closest in meaning to

a.       Widely accepted

b.      Pen to debate

c.       Just introduced

d.      Very complicated

3.       Solar particles are hurled into the atmosphere by

a.       Solar storms

b.      Disturbances of wind

c.       Small rivers on the surface of the sun

d.      Changes in the earth’s atmosphere

4.       The word “ particles “ in line 2 refers to

a.       Gas explosions in the atmosphere

b.      Light rays from the sun

c.       Liquid streams on the sun

d.      Small pieces of matter from the sun

5.       How can we describe matter from the sun that enters the earth’s atmosphere?

a.       Very small

b.      Very hot

c.       Very bright

d.      Very hard

6.       The sunspot theory is

a.       Not considered very important

b.      Widely accepted

c.       Just introduced

d.      Debatable

7.       The word “they” in line 7 refers to

a.       Structures

b.      Sunspots

c.       Miles

d.      Granules

8.       The word “consequently” in line 9 could best be replaced by

a.       As a result

b.      Nevertheless

c.       Doubtful

d.      In this way

9.       In which configurative do sunspots usually occur?

a.       In one spot of varying size

b.      In a configuration of two spots

c.       In arrangements of the hundred or more spots

d.      In groups of several thousand spots.

10.   How are sunspots explained?

a.       Sunspots appear to be related to magnetic fields on the earth

b.      Sunspots maybe related to magnetic fields that follow longitudinal lines on the sun.

c.       Sunspots are explained by storms that occur on the earth.

d.      Sunspots have no theory or model to explain them.

Answer:

1.       B

2.       B

3.       A

4.       D

5.       A

6.       D

7.       B

8.       A

9.       B

10.   B