Distant Planet - TOEFL Reading Practice Test With Answer

The TOEFL iBT^®exam requires you to master proficiency in reading academic materials. This reading section evaluates skills such as identifying the main ideas, extracting details, and drawing conclusions. Additionally, it incorporates the challenges associated with reading in academic settings that use the English language. The secret to excel in this part is by practising consistently. 

We make sure that you feel confident and also prepare yourself for the test by practising with our sample exams that closely resemble the structure and writing style of the real exam. So come take the TOEFL Practice Test with us, based on the passage "Distant Planet," to get a feel for the format and identify your areas of weakness!

Reading Instructions

• You have 15 minutes to read the following passage and answer all 9 questions related to it.  
• Most questions are worth 1 point, but the last question is worth more. The directions indicate how many points you will receive for that specific question. 
• The specific section/paragraphs have been provided again with the question for ease of understanding and quick solution.
• Some questions include a word or phrase that is highlighted in the question as well as in the paragraph for quick reference. 

Distant Planet

Astronomers have obtained what they call the most detailed "fingerprint" of a rocky planet outside our solar system to date, and concluded that half of that world is almost completely molten. Scientists also say the planet is even hotter than radiation from its star alone would explain, so there must be an unknown heat source. 

The researchers, led by the University of Cambridge in the U.K., say scorching temperatures on the planet's hotter side may have made the atmosphere evaporate. Temperatures on the hot side can reach 2,500 degrees C (4,500 F), while temperatures on the cool side are around 1,100 degrees C (2,000 degrees F), according to the findings, reported in the journal "Nature".

Using data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, the researchers examined this planet known as 55 Cancri, which orbits a sun-like star located 40 light years away in the Cancer constellation. They have mapped how conditions on the planet change throughout a complete orbit, the first time this has been done for such a small planet. 55 Cancri e is classified as a "super Earth," a rocky world about twice the size and eight times the weight of Earth, and orbits its parent star so closely that a year lasts just 18 hours.

The planet is also tidally locked, meaning that it always shows the same face to its parent star, similar to the Moon, so there is a permanent "day' side and a "night" side. It is among the nearest known super Earths whose makeup can be studied. Uncovering the characteristics of super Earths is hard, since they're so small compared to the parent star and their contrast relative to the star is tiny compared to gas giant planets, so-called "hot Jupiters." 

"We haven't yet found any other planet that is this small and orbits so close to its parent star, and is relatively close to us, so 55 Cancri e offers lots of possibilities," said Brice-Olivier Demory of the university's Cavendish Laboratory, the paper's lead author. "We still don't know exactly what this planet is made of--it's still a riddie. These results are like adding another brick to the wall, but the exact nature of this planet is still not completely understood." 

55 Cancri has been extensively studied since its 2011 discovery. Based on readings taken at different times, it was thought to be a water world, or even made of diamond, but researchers now think it's almost completely Lava-covered. We have entered a new era of atmospheric remote sensing of rocky exoplanets," said study co-author Nikku Madhusudhan, from Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy. An exoplanet is a planet outside our solar system. "It is incredible that we are now able to measure the large-scale temperature distribution on the surface of a rocky exoplanet." One thing that's unclear is that there seems to be an unknown heat source that makes the planet hotter than expected solely from its star, the astronomers said. They added that they may have to wait until the next generation of space telescopes are launched to find out.

Directions: Once you have read the passage, answer the following questions.

Paragraph 1 

Astronomers have obtained what they call the most detailed "fingerprint" of a rocky planet outside our solar system to date, and concluded that half of that world is almost completely molten. Scientists also say the planet is even hotter than radiation from its star alone would explain, so there must be an unknown heat source. 

1. The word “fingerprint” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to:
   1. A unique pattern of light emitted by the planet.
   2. The specific orbit of the planet around its star.
   3. The detailed composition and characteristics of the planet.
   4. The temperature variations observed on the planet's surface.

Paragraph 2

The researchers, led by the University of Cambridge in the U.K., say “scorching” temperatures on the planet's hotter side may have made the atmosphere evaporate. Temperatures on the hot side can reach 2,500 degrees C (4,500 F), while temperatures on the cool side are around 1,100 degrees C (2,000 degrees F), according to the findings, reported in the journal "Nature".

1. The word “scorching” in Paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to : 
   1. ironing
   2. extremely hot
   3. catching on fire
   4. cooling

Paragraph 3

Using data from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, the researchers examined this planet known as 55 Cancri, which orbits a sun-like star located 40 light years away in the Cancer constellation. They have mapped how conditions on the planet change throughout a complete orbit, the first time this has been done for such a small planet. 55 Cancri e is classified as a "super Earth," a rocky world about twice the size and eight times the weight of Earth, and orbits its parent star so closely that a year lasts just 18 hours.

1. What can be inferred from paragraph 3 about uncovering the characteristics of super Earths?
   1. It is difficult to know the features of a super Earth because it is small compared to the parent star and other massive planets.
   2. The features of giant gas planets and “hot Jupiters” have been uncovered.
   3. Giant planets uncover the features of super Earths because of their small size.
   4. It is difficult to know the features of a super Earth because the parent star and other
      planets are so small.

1. Based on the Paragraph 3, all of the following are mentioned about the planet 55 Cancri e EXCEPT:
   1. It is located in the Cancer constellation.
   2. It orbits a star similar to our Sun.
   3. It is classified as a gas giant.
   4. It has a very short orbital period.

Paragraph 4

The planet is also tidally locked, meaning that it always shows the same face to its parent star, similar to the Moon, so there is a permanent "day' side and a "night" side. It is among the nearest known super Earths whose makeup can be studied. Uncovering the characteristics of super Earths is hard, since they're so small compared to the parent star and their contrast relative to the star is tiny compared to gas giant planets, so-called "hot jupiter".

1. In paragraph 4, which of the following is mentioned as a consequence of the planet being tidally locked?
   1. The planet experiences extreme seasonal changes.
   2. The planet's surface is equally illuminated on all sides.
   3. The planet has a permanent day side and a permanent night side.
   4. The planet rotates rapidly, causing strong winds.

1. The phrase "hot jupiter" in the paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to:
   1. They are easier to study than super Earths.
   2. They are closer to their parent stars than super Earths.
   3. They are made of solid materials.
   4. They have tidally locked orbits like super Earths.

Paragraphs 5

"We haven't yet found any other planet that is this small and orbits so close to its parent star, and is relatively close to us, so 55 Cancri e offers lots of possibilities," said Brice-Olivier Demory of the university's Cavendish Laboratory, the paper's lead author. "We still don't know exactly what this planet is made of--it's still a riddie. These results are like adding another brick to the wall, but the exact nature of this planet is still not completely understood." 

1. According to paragraph 5, what can be inferred by "adding another brick to the wall"?
   1. Discovering a new planet in the solar system.
   2. Contributing more information to our understanding of 55 Cancri e.
   3. Building a physical structure on the planet.
   4. Completing a research project on distant stars.

1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a characteristic of 55 Cancri e in paragraph 5?
   1. It orbits very close to its parent star.
   2. It is the smallest planet discovered.
   3. It is relatively close to Earth.
   4. Its exact composition is still uncertain.

Paragraph 6

55 Cancri has been extensively studied since its 2011 discovery. (A) Based on readings taken at different times, it was thought to be a water world, or even made of diamond, but researchers now think it's almost completely Lava-covered. (B) We have entered a new era of atmospheric remote sensing of rocky exoplanets," said study co-author Nikku Madhusudhan, from Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy. An exoplanet is a planet outside our solar system. (C) "It is incredible that we are now able to measure the large-scale temperature distribution on the surface of a rocky exoplanet."  (D) One thing that's unclear is that there seems to be an unknown heat source that makes the planet hotter than expected solely from its star, the astronomers said. They added that they may have to wait until the next generation of space telescopes are launched to find out.

1. Directions: Review the excerpt from the passage provided above. The letters (A), (B), (C), and (D) denote where the subsequent sentence could be incorporated.
   
   "These advancements in technology have provided more accurate insights into the planet's composition and surface conditions."
   
   Where would the sentence most appropriately belong?
   1. Choice A
   2. Choice B
   3. Choice C
   4. Choice D

Hold on!  Before checking your answers and matching them, explore the TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus!

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Reading Passage - Distant Planet

1.  Answer: C

Explanation:  The correct answer is option C. In Paragraph 1, the term “fingerprint” suggests metaphorically about a detailed set of characteristics, implying the comprehensive properties of the planet. The word cannot be associated with the physical patterns of light or variations in temperature, making the option C as the possible solution.

2. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. There is a clear indication of the meaning of the word “scorching” which describes the extremely high temperature and doesn’t mean anything related to ironing, catching fire, or cooling.

3. Answer: A

Explanation: The correct answer is option A. In Paragraph 3, it is mentioned that it could be difficult or rather challenging to study Super Earth because of their small size as compared to that of their parent stars. Therefore, option A is the correct answer as it mentions that the size makes it difficult to uncover their features.

4. Answer: C

Explanation: The correct answer is option C. As per the paragraph 3, it specifies that 55 Cancri e is a "super Earth," which is a rocky world, not a gas giant. The options are not relevant as there is no mention of a gas giant.

5. Answer: C

Explanation: The correct answer is option C. According to Paragraph 4, being tidally locked indicates that the planet faces its parent star in the same pattern, creating a permanent day side and night rotation. It does not mention anything about seasonal changes, equal illumination on all sides, or rapid rotation.

6. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. The word “hot jupiter” discusses gas giant planets that orbit very close to their parent stars. According to the paragraph, it makes them easier to observe compared to super Earths. They are not necessarily easier to study, made of solid materials, or tidally locked like super Earths.

7. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. The phrase "adding another brick to the wall" contributes towards additional information to build a more comprehensive understanding of 55 Cancri e, rather than discovering a new planet, building a physical structure, or completing a research project. Therefore, the only possible answer is option B.

8. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. In Paragraph 5, 55 Cancri e orbits very close to its parent star, making it relatively close to Earth. It also mentions that the exact composition is still uncertain. However, it does not state that it is the smallest planet discovered.

9. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. This is an Insert Text Question where the sentence given in the question provides information about advancements in technology. Placing the sentence in Option B links the advancement of technology to the improved understanding of the planet's characteristics effectively.

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