Correct Answer: whether a science centre should fund a show or telescope nights
Passage Reference: The choice is between a new planetarium show about black holes and a season of free community telescope nights in parks across the city.
Why this is correct: The blogger explains that the science centre must choose between a new black-hole show and free telescope nights. The rest of the post reports views on that choice.
Tips: For a “mainly about” question, find the choice described at the end of the first paragraph. Every speaker takes a side on it.
Why the other options are wrong:
- how black holes were first discovered by scientists: The blog post describes what the show would teach about black holes, but it never tells the history of their discovery.
- whether the city should build a second science centre: No second science centre is proposed. The debate is about how the existing centre spends $180,000.
- how to choose a good telescope for a backyard: The writer owns an old telescope already, and buying one is never discussed.
Correct Answer: Ernesto Gaudet
Passage Reference: says the black-hole show would bring in school groups and paying visitors all year
Why this is correct: Gaudet, the director, says the black-hole show would bring in school groups and paying visitors all year.
Tips: Two speakers want the show, so read both reasons closely. Ask whose reason is about who would come and pay, not about what students learn.
Why the other options are wrong:
- Kiran Joly: Joly supports the show because of what her students study, not because of paying visitors.
- Sigrid Hollingsworth: Hollingsworth wants free telescope nights and criticizes the $16 ticket price.
- Anatole Kavanagh: Kavanagh suggests a shorter show and monthly telescope nights. He says nothing about paying visitors.
Correct Answer: a survey showing that ticket prices keep families away
Passage Reference: the planetarium charges $16 a ticket, while the telescope nights would be free
Why this is correct: Hollingsworth argues for free telescope nights by pointing out that the planetarium charges $16 a ticket. A survey showing that ticket prices keep families away would support her.
Tips: Find Hollingsworth’s main point in the third paragraph. The right choice is evidence that makes that point matter.
Why the other options are wrong:
- a rise in school bookings for dome shows: More school bookings for the dome would support Gaudet and Joly, who want the show.
- a report that the dome needs expensive repairs: Repairs to the dome are never mentioned and would not show why free telescope nights matter.
- new photos of black holes taken from space: Space photos have nothing to do with Hollingsworth’s point about free events in the neighbourhoods.
Correct Answer: the city would pay the club’s insurance at each park
Passage Reference: if the city pays for the club’s insurance at each park
Why this is correct: Kavanagh says the centre could make a shorter show and hold monthly telescope nights. His condition is that the city pays for the club’s insurance at each park.
Tips: Kavanagh’s middle path ends with a condition marked by “if”. Read that part and match it in other words.
Why the other options are wrong:
- the centre would drop the black-hole show for good: Kavanagh keeps a shorter show this year, so he does not drop it.
- the centre would sell the dome to a school: Kavanagh keeps a shorter show in the dome, so he never suggests selling it.
- the club would pay rent for every park it uses: Kavanagh wants the city to pay a cost for the club, not the club to pay rent.
Correct Answer: argue that free telescope nights should come first
Passage Reference: I think the centre should put most of the money into free telescope nights
Why this is correct: The blogger ends by saying the centre should put most of the money into free telescope nights. The big show can wait for next year. So the post argues for the telescope nights.
Tips: For a purpose question, read the “I think” sentence in the last paragraph. Then compare each choice with that sentence.
Why the other options are wrong:
- explain how a black hole forms step by step: The blog post mentions a collapsing star only to describe the show. Teaching the science is not the blogger’s aim.
- praise the director’s plan for the dome show: The writer wants the director’s show postponed to next year, so the post does not praise it.
- complain that good telescopes cost too much: Telescope prices are never mentioned. The only price is the $16 dome ticket.
Correct Answer: burns through its fuel and collapses
Passage Reference: the show would follow a giant star as it burns through its fuel and collapses under its own gravity
Why this is correct: Gaudet explains that the show would follow a giant star as it burns through its fuel and collapses under its own gravity.
Tips: The comment calls him “the director”. Find his description of the show and what happens to the giant star.
Why the other options are wrong:
- moves closer to our own Sun: The Sun is never mentioned. The star in the show collapses under its own gravity.
- cools down and turns into a planet: The star becomes an object so dense that even light cannot climb back out, not a planet.
- is pulled apart by a passing comet: No comet appears in the blog post. The star collapses because it runs out of fuel.
Correct Answer: teaches physics at a high school
Passage Reference: Kiran Joly, a high-school physics teacher
Why this is correct: The blog post introduces Joly as a high-school physics teacher.
Tips: The blank asks who Joly is. Read the words right after her name in the second paragraph.
Why the other options are wrong:
- runs the centre’s school programs: Joly works in a high school, not for the science centre.
- writes children’s books about space: Joly is never described as a writer. She is a physics teacher.
- works as a planetarium guide: Joly does not work in the dome. She teaches physics at a high school.
Correct Answer: leads the local astronomy club
Passage Reference: Sigrid Hollingsworth, who leads the local astronomy club
Why this is correct: The blog post introduces Hollingsworth as the person who leads the local astronomy club.
Tips: The blank asks who Hollingsworth is. Look at the words right after her name at the start of the third paragraph.
Why the other options are wrong:
- sits on the science centre’s board: The board is mentioned only as the group that will decide. Hollingsworth is not described as a member.
- sells telescopes in a downtown shop: Hollingsworth does not sell telescopes. She leads the astronomy club.
- manages the centre’s gift shop: No gift shop is mentioned in the blog post.
Correct Answer: a shorter show this year
Passage Reference: the centre could create a shorter show this year
Why this is correct: Kavanagh says the centre could create a shorter show this year and still run telescope nights once a month.
Tips: The comment calls him “the councillor”. Find his lines and see what he would make in addition to the telescope nights.
Why the other options are wrong:
- a second dome downtown: Kavanagh never suggests building another dome.
- a longer show next spring: Kavanagh wants a shorter show, and he wants it this year.
- a free show for every school: Kavanagh does not mention free shows for schools. The free events are the telescope nights.
Correct Answer: the rings of Saturn
Passage Reference: strangers line up to see the rings of Saturn
Why this is correct: Look at the first sentence. On Friday nights, strangers line up behind the science centre to see the rings of Saturn.
Tips: The comment says “Like you”, so it is about the writer’s own story. The opening sentence tells you what strangers line up to see.
Why the other options are wrong:
- the craters on Mars: The writer remembers a child looking at craters on the Moon, not Mars. And that is not what strangers line up for.
- a passing comet: No comet is mentioned in the blog post.
- the northern lights: The northern lights are never mentioned.
