Question

adapted from journey to mars overview by nasa
nasa is developing the capabilities needed to send humans to an asteroid by the mid - 2020s and to mars in the 2030s—goals outlined in the bipartisan 1 nasa authorization act of 2010 and in the u.s. national space policy, also issued in 2010.
mars is a rich destination for scientific discovery and robotic and human exploration as we expand our presence into the solar system. its formation and evolution are comparable to earth, helping us learn more about our own planet’s history and future. mars had conditions suitable for life in its past. future exploration could uncover evidence of life, answering one of the fundamental mysteries of the cosmos: does life exist beyond earth?
while robotic explorers have studied mars for more than 40 years, nasa’s path for the human exploration of mars begins in low - earth orbit aboard the international space station. astronauts on the orbiting laboratory are helping us prove many of the technologies and communications systems needed for human missions to deep space, including mars. the space station also advances our understanding of how the body changes in space and how to protect astronaut health.
our next step is deep space, where nasa will send a robotic mission to capture and redirect an asteroid to orbit the moon. astronauts aboard the orion spacecraft will explore the asteroid in the 2020s, returning to earth with samples. this experience in human spaceflight beyond low - earth orbit will help nasa test new systems and capabilities, such as solar electric propulsion, which we’ll need to send cargo as part of human missions to mars. in 2018, a powerful new rocket called the space launch
which idea can be drawn from the author’s discussion of the international space station in paragraph 3?
○a. the space station’s research provides important information needed to undertake missions to mars.
○b. the space station’s research does not show why the human body cannot adapt to life on mars.
○c. the space station serves as a place for astronauts to rest while they are in the midst of space missions.
○d. the space station does not play any role in the planning stages of nasa’s space missions.
session score: 75% (3/4)

Explanation:

In paragraph 3, it says the space station helps prove technologies and communications systems for human missions to deep space (including Mars) and advances understanding of how the body changes in space to protect astronaut health for Mars missions. So its research is important for Mars missions, matching option A. Option B is wrong as the research does help understand body adaptation. Option C: the text doesn't say it's a resting place. Option D is wrong as the space station does play a role in planning Mars missions.

Answer:

A. The space station’s research provides important information needed to undertake missions to Mars.