Reread paragraphs 12-17 of the text. Then answer the multiple-choice questions that follow. From “Machines, not people, should be exploring the stars for now” by Don Lincoln
12 In addition, there are methods for exploring the cosmos that don't require actually going to the place under study. The Hubble telescope, has perhaps revealed more about the universe than any other scientific instrument, cost about $14 billion, including imaging the first galaxies formed and played a key role in the discovery that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. And the wildly successful planet-hunting Kepler satellite weighs in at under $1 billion.

13 Manned programs can cost tens or hundreds of times more than the robotic missions.

14 But it's not just about the money. There are three important goals we need to achieve from our space program. The first is monitoring our own world, resulting in storm warnings and help in understanding our complex planet, which can best be done by tireless satellites orbiting the Earth. The second is to learn more about our solar system and the more distant universe. On this, the case is also clear: robotic exploration, through either space probes or telescopes, provides a much better yield for much lower money.

15 The final goal is that of making humanity a multiplanetary species. By definition, this includes manned spaceflight, but the question is really how we should achieve that objective.

16 Developing human space-faring technology is crucial, but first we need to decide where to go. The moon is a dead planet and Mars is not nearly as welcoming as the New World was to the Spanish explorers. In fact, there is no place in our solar system where pioneers can simply drop seeds in the soil and wait for food to pop out of the ground. For that, we need to look at distant stars.

17 And interstellar exploration is also something in which robots will lead the way. Following the identification of a possibly habitable planet by the Kepler satellite or perhaps PLATO, a European Space Agency planet-hunting telescope scheduled to be launched in 2024, the next step would be a survey of the planetary system by an unmanned probe.
The author provides the example of the Hubble telescope to show that —
Answer choices for the above question

A. human exploration is the best way to learn about space.

B. we can learn much without sending humans into space.

C. robotic exploration is too expensive to be useful.

D. we don’t get good information from robotic exploration.
Which sentence best introduces the author’s consideration of an alternate or opposing opinion?
Answer choices for the above question

A. “Manned programs can cost tens or hundreds of times more than the robotic missions.”

B. “There are three important goals we need to achieve from our space program.”

C. “The final goal is that of making humanity a multiplanetary species.”

D. “Developing human space-faring technology is crucial, but first we need to decide where to go.”
The author refutes the opposing opinion introduced in this excerpt by —
Answer choices for the above question

A. showing how inexpensive human exploration is.

B. giving examples of how food can be grown on the moon or Mars.

C. pointing out that humans haven’t found a safe location in space yet.

D. detailing the advantages of using satellites to track weather systems from space.