Japan Sends Spacecraft Toward Phobos to Collect the First Samples From a Martian Moon

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

B2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the passage for its main idea, then return to the relevant sentence or paragraph for each question. Base answers on the passage.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is the main purpose of the article?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. To describe a mission studying and sampling Phobos
   2. To compare the space programs of five countries
   3. To explain how Mars’ atmosphere affects spacecraft
   4. To report the discovery of a new moon
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To describe a mission studying and sampling Phobos

   The article explains MMX’s goals, methods, challenges, and scientific importance.

   The project, called Martian Moons Exploration, or MMX, is designed to collect material from Phobos and return it to Earth.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What can be inferred about the international team?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It shares responsibility for a demanding mission
   2. It has already completed the mission successfully
   3. It is focused only on building Mars satellites
   4. It includes agencies from exactly two countries
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It shares responsibility for a demanding mission

   The mission combines agencies from several countries for one complex project.

   The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is leading the effort, which brings together five of the world’s space agencies.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   In the third paragraph, what does “it” refer to?

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   1. The rover
   2. The spacecraft
   3. The surface
   4. The mission
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   Answer

   The rover

   The pronoun refers to the French-German rover introduced immediately before it.

   Because Phobos has extremely low gravity, it is designed to bounce across the surface for several minutes before stopping.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why does the article mention NASA and China?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. To emphasize the novelty of landing on Phobos
   2. To identify MMX’s main financial supporters
   3. To explain why China leads the mission
   4. To show that Phobos is larger than Mars
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To emphasize the novelty of landing on Phobos

   Their previous Mars landings contrast with the absence of landings on Phobos or Deimos.

   NASA has landed nine spacecraft on Mars, and China completed a landing there in 2021, but no spacecraft has yet landed on Phobos or Mars’ other moon, Deimos.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What relationship does the final paragraph establish?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Experience may help, but the mission remains challenging
   2. Experience guarantees that the mission will succeed
   3. The mission will avoid landing and collecting samples
   4. The mission is easier than earlier asteroid missions
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Experience may help, but the mission remains challenging

   It connects prior experience with potential benefits while acknowledging serious difficulties.

   Japan has previous experience with asteroid sample-return missions, giving its space agency useful knowledge for this difficult journey.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which event is presented as happening before the spacecraft reaches Mars?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The launch from Tanegashima Island
   2. The return of samples to Earth
   3. The rover’s final stop on Phobos
   4. The study of moons in other systems
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The launch from Tanegashima Island

   The spacecraft launches first and is expected to reach Mars later.

   The spacecraft lifted off before dawn from Tanegashima Island, Japan’s main spaceport.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “eventually” suggest about delivering the collected material?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Delivery will happen after a significant delay
   2. Delivery has already taken place
   3. Delivery is impossible under current plans
   4. Delivery will occur before collection
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Delivery will happen after a significant delay

   The word indicates that delivery will occur later, after several mission stages.

   The spacecraft will also collect dust, soil, and rocks that could eventually be delivered to Earth in 2031.

What to review next

Find the words that support each answer. For a mistake, compare the question with the evidence and identify the detail or inference you missed.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.

Before you practise: a worked example

Look for evidence in the text. Separate what the writer says from what you already know about the topic.

The library normally closes at six, but on Fridays it stays open until eight. When does it close on Friday?

The answer is eight. But introduces an exception to the normal closing time, so the first time mentioned is not the answer.

This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.