Question

read the passage.
from remarks at the national aeronautics and space administration
january 14, 2004
1
two centuries ago, meriwether lewis and william clark left st. louis to
explore the new lands acquired in the louisiana purchase. they made that
journey in the spirit of discovery, to learn the potential of vast new territory and
to chart a way for others to follow. america has ventured forth into space for the
same reasons. we have undertaken space travel because the desire to explore
and understand is part of our character.
2
and that quest has brought tangible benefits that improve our lives in
countless ways. the exploration of space has led to advances in weather
forecasting, in communications, in computing, search and rescue technology,
robotics, and electronics. our investment in space exploration helped to create
our satellite telecommunications network and the global positioning system.
medical technologies that help prolong life, such as the imaging processing used
in cat scanners and mri machines, trace their origins to technology engineered
for the use in space. . . .
3
yet for all these successes, much remains for us to explore and to learn. in
the past 30 years, no human being has set foot on another world or ventured
farther upward into space than 386 miles, roughly the distance from
washington, dc, to boston, massachusetts. america has not developed a new
vehicle to advance human exploration in space in nearly a quarter - century. it is
time for america to take the next steps.
(from
emarks at the national aeronautics and space administration, january 14, 2004\ by president george
w. bush)
select the two claims that most fully develop the
speaker’s argument in the passage.
□ 1. america “ventured forth into space for the same
reasons” as the explorers lewis and clark.
(paragraph 1)
□ 2. americans undertook exploring space “because
the desire to explore and understand is part of
our character.” (paragraph 1)
□ 3. exploring space “brought tangible benefits that
improve our lives in countless ways.”
(paragraph 2)
□ 4. despite the successes brought by exploring
space, “much remains for us to explore and to
learn.” (paragraph 3)
□ 5. after nearly a quarter - century, “it is time for
america to take the next steps” with space
travel. (paragraph 3)

Explanation:

To determine the claims that develop the speaker's argument, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Compares space exploration to Lewis and Clark's journey but is a premise, not a main development of the argument about why and the need for space exploration.
• Option 2: States the reason for space exploration (desire to explore is part of character) which is a key part of the argument (Paragraph 1's main point about motivation).
• Option 3: Explains the benefits of space exploration (tangible benefits improving lives), which is a major part of the argument (Paragraph 2's focus).
• Option 4: Mentions there's more to explore but is a transition, not a full development of the argument's core (why we explore and its benefits, and the need to continue).
• Option 5: States the need to take next steps but is a conclusion, while the argument is built on motivation (Option 2) and benefits (Option 3).

So the two claims that fully develop the argument are Option 2 (reason for exploration) and Option 3 (benefits of exploration).

Answer:

1. Americans undertook exploring space "because the desire to explore and understand is part of our character." (Paragraph 1)
2. Exploring space "brought tangible benefits that improve our lives in countless ways." (Paragraph 2)