Question

read this excerpt from paragraph 2.

roosa carried possibly 2000 or more seeds in the cannister in his personal kit, a small canvas pouch that stayed with him as he orbited the moon in the command module \kitty hawk\ in february, 1971. unfortunately, the seed bags burst open during the decontamination procedures after their return to earth. . . .
how does the information in this excerpt help the reader understand the meaning of the word decontamination?

a. it explains the difficulties involved in re - entering the earths atmosphere.

b. it explains how delicate seeds and other materials are being used in outer space.

c. it explains the procedures that astronauts must go through when returning to earth.

d. it explains why the researchers were uncertain whether the seeds would grow after being in outer space.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The excerpt is about seed bags bursting during decontamination, not re - entry difficulties. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The excerpt focuses on what happened during decontamination, not how seeds are used in space. Eliminate B.
• Option C: The excerpt only mentions that seed bags burst during decontamination, not the overall procedures astronauts must go through. Eliminate C.
• Option D: Since the seed bags burst during decontamination, this could lead to damage or contamination of the seeds, which would make researchers uncertain if the seeds would grow. This option is consistent with the excerpt's information.

Answer:

D. It explains why the researchers were uncertain whether the seeds would grow after being in outer space.