Question

danger! this mission to mars could bore you to death!
maggie koerth
date:
comprehension check
directions: complete the following items after you finish your first read.

1. why are six people living in a geodesic dome on the slopes of a volcano in hawaii?
2. with our current technology, how long will a journey to mars take?
3. according to scientists, what is one of the biggest threats to a manned mars mission?
4. what are some ways astronauts have combated boredom?

Explanation:

To answer these comprehension questions, we analyze the text (assuming it's the article "Danger! This Mission to Mars Could Bore You to Death!"):

Question 1

The six people live in the geodesic dome as part of the HI - SEAS experiment, a NASA - funded project. This experiment simulates Mars - like conditions to study how people would cope during a long - term Mars mission.

Question 2

With current technology, a journey to Mars typically takes around 6 to 8 months. This time can vary based on factors like the spacecraft's speed and the alignment of Earth and Mars in their orbits.

Question 3

According to scientists, one of the biggest threats to a manned Mars mission is boredom. The long duration of the mission, combined with the monotonous and confined environment, can have negative psychological and even physical impacts on the crew.

Question 4

Astronauts have combated boredom in several ways. For example, they engage in scientific experiments (which keep them mentally occupied), exercise (to stay healthy and pass time), communicate with Earth (to stay connected), and pursue hobbies like reading, listening to music, or creative activities.

Answer:

s:

1. They are part of the HI - SEAS experiment, a NASA - funded project (to simulate Mars - like conditions for a Mars mission study).
2. It typically takes around 6 to 8 months (based on spacecraft speed and orbital alignment).
3. One of the biggest threats is boredom (due to the long, monotonous mission environment).
4. Examples include doing scientific experiments, exercising, communicating with Earth, and pursuing hobbies (like reading, music, or creative tasks).