RCs: 31 to 40 Questions for CAT with Answers PDF

Direction: The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled the cosmos in unprecedented detail, revealing stellar nurseries, galactic dances, and the most distant galaxies ever seen. Among its findings, a graph depicting the atmospheric composition of an exoplanet 1,120 light years away stands out. This discovery rekindles the centuries-old quest for extraterrestrial life, a pursuit that has evolved from Galileo’s telescopic observations to the sophisticated searches of today.
Despite the technological advancements, the search for alien life remains fraught with challenges. The vastness of space and the limitations of our instruments mean that any detection of extraterrestrial life will likely be partial and inconclusive. Science seldom delivers eureka moments; discoveries are gradual, communal, and often ambiguous.
The quest for alien life is not just about finding facts but about creating knowledge. Tools like the 'Ladder of Life Detection' help scientists determine what combinations of evidence could indicate life, but the threshold for such a determination is consensus, not certainty. The search for extraterrestrial life, therefore, is a journey towards greater understanding rather than a destination of definitive proof.
Astrobiologists grapple with the ambiguity inherent in their field. They must discern life from afar, often relying on indirect evidence such as atmospheric biosignatures. The JWST, while powerful, has its limitations and was not designed to detect biosignatures. Future telescopes, like the proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory, promise greater capabilities, but even then, certainty may remain elusive.
The search for alien life is a spectrum of understanding, a process of accumulating knowledge and confidence. It is a quest driven by hope and desire, a testament to humanity's insatiable curiosity about the cosmos and our place within it.
Q1:What is the significance of the graph depicting the atmospheric composition of an exoplanet in the JWST's findings?
(a) It represents the technological prowess of the JWST.
(b) It signifies the first definitive proof of extraterrestrial life.
(c) It rekindles the quest for extraterrestrial life.
(d) It showcases the beauty of the cosmos.
Ans: (c)
Sol: Option C is correct because the passage states that the graph depicting the atmospheric composition of an exoplanet "rekindles the centuries-old quest for extraterrestrial life." Options A and D are incorrect as they are not mentioned in the context of the graph. Option B is incorrect because the passage emphasizes that the discovery is not definitive proof but rather a step towards greater understanding.

Q2: According to the passage, why is the search for alien life filled with challenges?
(a) Because of the limitations of human imagination.
(b) Due to the vastness of space and limitations of our instruments.
(c) Because science always delivers eureka moments.
(d) Due to the lack of interest in the scientific community.
Ans: (b)
Sol: Option B is correct as the passage mentions that the search for alien life is challenging due to "the vastness of space and the limitations of our instruments." Options A and C are incorrect as they contradict the passage's message. Option D is incorrect because the passage does not mention a lack of interest in the scientific community.

Q3: What does the 'Ladder of Life Detection' tool help scientists achieve?
(a) It helps in creating visually stunning images of the cosmos.
(b) It assists in determining combinations of evidence that could indicate life.
(c) It is used for direct sampling of extraterrestrial life.
(d) It provides definitive proof of life on other planets.
Ans: (b)
Sol: Option B is correct because the passage describes the 'Ladder of Life Detection' as a tool that helps scientists determine what combinations of evidence could indicate life. Options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the tool's purpose as described in the passage.

Q4: Which of the following best captures the essence of the challenges faced in the search for extraterrestrial life?
(a) The primary challenge is the lack of sophisticated technology like the James Webb Space Telescope.
(b) The quest for extraterrestrial life is hindered by the vastness of space and the limitations of current instruments, making any detection partial and inconclusive.
(c) The biggest obstacle is the lack of a unified scientific community and consensus on what constitutes evidence of life.
(d) The main challenge is the absence of direct evidence, such as visual confirmation of extraterrestrial beings.
Ans: (b)
Sol: Option B is the correct answer. The passage emphasizes the difficulties in searching for alien life due to the vastness of space and the limitations of our current technological instruments. It highlights that any detection of extraterrestrial life will likely be partial and inconclusive, which aligns with the essence of Option B. The other options, while related to the topic, do not capture the central challenge as accurately as Option B does. Options A and D are not supported by the passage, and Option C, while relevant, is not the primary focus of the text.