Page 125 - READING COMPANION TO ENGLISH EXAMS

7.3 SPACE EXPLORATION AND ASTRONOMY

A Giant Leap for Mankind

The space race, a pivotal chapter in the history of space exploration, was a fierce competition between the
(1)
United States and the Soviet Union that unfolded against the backdrop of the Cold War. It kicked off with the
(2)
launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviets on October 4, 1957. It was a basketball-sized satellite that ignited a race
to demonstrate technological and ideological supremacy. Subsequently, Yuri Gagarin’s historic orbital flight
(3)
in Vostok 1 in 1961 firmly established Soviet dominance in space, positioning them as pioneers in human
(4)
spaceflight. In response, the US initiated the Apollo programme, a bold endeavour to land astronauts on the
(5)
Moon and bring them back home safely. The programme reached its culmination with the Apollo 11 mission,
(6)
marked by Neil Armstrong’s iconic words as he set foot on the lunar surface in 1969: “That’s one small step for
man; one giant leap for mankind.” However, the space race was not solely about planting flags and footprints
(7)
on the Moon. It also brought about significant advancements in science and technology, thereby fostering
(8)
innovations in rocketry and satellite technology, which are closely associated with economic and industrial
growth. The rapid pace of space exploration also stimulated investments in education to cultivate a generation
(9)
of scientists and engineers, leading to many remarkable scientific achievements. The space race unintentionally
ended up (10) being an era defined by daring astronauts and visionary scientists who pushed the boundaries of
what was once considered ‘impossible’.
a Choose the synonyms of the highlighted and numbered words and phrases in the passage.
1. A intense B moderate C cautious D pleasant

2. A conclude B feature C evolve D start
3. A inferiority B weakness C dominance D mercy

4. A indefinitely B solidly C flexibly D indecisively

5. A timid B brave C ridiculous D restless
6. A climax B base C intention D tuition

7. A partially B incompletely C merely D diversely
8. A hinder B neglect C prevail D promote

9. A fascinate B trigger C negotiate D protect
10. A terminate B originate C evaluate D reveal

b Complete the following table with the correct forms of the words.

verb noun adjective adverb

X fierce

X supremacy
firmly

X bold

culmination X X
X solely

foster X

stimulate X
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