Loading question...
You are in free guest mode. Timed Practice Revision List Attempt History Progress Tracking Create a free account to unlock these tools
Prev Next
CELPIP Practice Reading: Reading for Information ID: #63085 Medium Canadarm: robotics on the Shuttle and ISS

Read the following passage.

A. Canadarm began with a need that NASA announced in the early 1970s, when it was developing the space shuttle. The shuttle required an arm able to unload the contents of its payload bay. Canadian firms including Spar, CAE Electronic and RCA took part. Because the arm was meant for weightlessness, it could not be operated in Earth's gravity, so a computer simulation facility was built to evaluate it and to train astronauts. The Government of Canada gave NASA the first arm as its contribution to the shuttle, and thanks to that gift Canada was able to send its first astronaut, Marc Garneau, to space.

B. The arm first went into action in space on November 13, 1981, from the cargo bay of Space Shuttle Columbia, and it worked as expected. It had rotating joints at the shoulder, the elbow and the wrist, and cameras at its elbow and wrist let crews inspect the shuttle and its cargo. After this first success, NASA bought four more arms. Over 30 years they launched satellites, captured others for repair, helped build the International Space Station and supported astronauts on spacewalks. The series retired after its 90th flight, when the shuttle program ended in July 2011.

C. A larger successor, Canadarm2, was launched to the International Space Station in 2001 as part of Canada's contribution. The 17-metre arm took a large part in assembling the orbiting laboratory. It can walk end-over-end along the station's exterior, anchoring one end to a fixture while the other end works. It also grapples visiting cargo ships and berths them to the station. Astronauts on board can command it, and so can ground teams at the Canadian Space Agency or NASA. In 2008 it was joined by Dextre, a two-armed robot that can ride on its end and replace small equipment such as cameras and batteries.

D. Canadarm2 will never return to Earth, so it is built from parts that can be swapped out individually in orbit. In June 2002, a spacewalking astronaut replaced one of its wrist roll joints, and astronauts fitted it with new hands in 2017 and 2018. The planned Canadarm3, meant for a lunar outpost called Gateway, was to perform some tasks around the Moon autonomously and to include a small arm able to repair the larger one. The Canadian Space Agency has since announced that it intends to redirect its Canadarm3 investments to the next phase of lunar exploration.

E. Not given in any of the above paragraphs.

Decide which paragraph, A to D, has the information given in each statement below. Select E if the information is not given in any of the paragraphs.

- 1.
After the first one proved itself, NASA paid for another four robotic arms.

- 2.
The station's arm travels by holding on with one end as its opposite end does the work.

- 3.
One whole joint of the station arm was replaced by a person working outside in space.

- 4.
The station's arm was designed by the same engineers who made the first one.

- 5.
The newest arm was expected to carry out certain jobs near the Moon without being controlled by people.

- 6.
People preparing to fly learned to handle the first arm with a computer model on the ground.

- 7.
Since the station's arm is staying in space for good, worn pieces can be exchanged up there.

- 8.
The station's arm can lift heavier loads than the original shuttle arm.

- 9.
Supplying the arm helped the country send its first person into space.

With a free account: Retry and compare every attempt.
Be the first! No community answers here yet — submit yours and help others learn.
Saving...