Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 17 to 21.

        Humanity’s fascination with the cosmos has driven remarkable technological achievements over the past century. The launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviet Union in 1957 marked the beginning of the space age, triggering an intense rivalry between superpowers. (17) _______. This unprecedented competition accelerated innovation at a pace never seen before in human history. Scientists and engineers worked tirelessly to develop more sophisticated spacecraft capable of carrying humans beyond Earth’s atmosphere. By 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person to orbit our planet, demonstrating that human space travel was indeed possible. (18) _______.The subsequent moon landing in 1969 represented perhaps the most iconic moment in space exploration, watched by millions worldwide. (19) _______. Today, international cooperation has replaced Cold War competition, with multiple nations contributing to shared research stations and missions. Private companies have also entered the arena, developing reusable rockets that dramatically reduce launch costs. (20) _______. Meanwhile, robotic probes continue venturing deeper into our solar system, sending back invaluable data about distant worlds. (21) _______. These ongoing efforts promise to unlock mysteries about planetary formation, the potential for extraterrestrial life, and humanity’s future among the stars.

(Adapted from https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/history-space-exploration/)

Question 17. A. Various academics maintain that, if there had not been this political tension, extraterrestrial research would have evolved significantly more gradually

B. Numerous scholars argue that, had this international rivalry been absent, spaceflight development would have progressed substantially less rapidly

C. Many historians contend that, without this intense geopolitical competition, space exploration would have advanced considerably more slowly

D. Several experts assert that, if this strategic contest had not existed, cosmic exploration would have proceeded markedly more deliberately

Question 18. A. After this accomplishment, priorities moved toward maintaining continuous human activity beyond Earth through orbital facility projects

B. Subsequently to this achievement, focus redirected to creating a permanent human occupation of space via orbital platform programs

C. Following this milestone, attention shifted toward establishing a sustained human presence in orbit through space station initiatives

D. Beyond this breakthrough, emphasis transitioned to developing enduring human habitation in space through station construction efforts

Question 19. A. These partnership programs feature the multinational space platform, where cosmonauts from diverse nations execute research collectively

B. Such cooperative initiatives encompass the orbital research facility, where space travelers from multiple countries perform investigations jointly

C. These collaborative ventures include the International Space Station, where astronauts from various nations conduct experiments cooperatively

D. Such joint undertakings comprise the global orbital laboratory, where personnel from different countries carry out studies collaboratively

Question 20. A. Legislators have been presented the value of these breakthroughs, thereby justifying persistent allocation toward space research activities

B. Decision-makers have been communicated the importance of these findings, thus supporting continued funding for extraterrestrial research initiatives

C. Authorities have been conveyed the relevance of these achievements, consequently validating ongoing expenditure on cosmic investigation projects

D. Policymakers have been explained the significance of these discoveries, helping justify sustained investment in space exploration programs

Question 21. A. Forthcoming ventures should address multiple technological difficulties, involving particle protection and survival system integrity

B. Future missions will confront various engineering obstacles, encompassing cosmic ray shielding and environmental control dependability

C. Upcoming expeditions must navigate numerous technical challenges, including radiation protection and life support system reliability

D. Impending projects need to overcome several practical barriers, containing radiation defense and habitat maintenance consistency