▶ Your Answer : In this set of issues, both the reading passage and the speaker discuss the problems of human expedition to Mars. To be specific, according to the reading passage, sending human to Mars has several problems, and these could not be solved. However, the speaker contradicts this argument. To begin with, the professor argues that dust in Mars can be controlled. Specifically, sound waves can dislodge dust particles, and dust would be blown away at high pitch of the sound waves. This argument counters the explanation from the reading passage that dust particles which are harmful for human beings hinder astronauts to explore Mars. On top of that, the speaker claims that psychological problems caused by long trip to Mars would be also manageable. This is because, astronauts would be trained to cope with long isolation from friends and family in advance in the Earth, and moreover, counseling would be also possible in the mission. To explain, the astronauts can receive help from a computer program, and this includes the counseling session with the expert through recorded video. This claim casts doubt on the reading passage’s insistence that the mission on Mars would be not progressed well by the psychological problems of the astronauts. Finally, the lecturer asserts that financial problems from the expedition would be also overcame. This is because if many nations pooled resources, they could cover the expenses, and the International Space Station(ISS) is such a good example. In addition, the expedition on Mars would give the countries technical advances. This assertion refutes the reading passage’s opinion that financial burden from the expedition is insurmountable predicament to a country. In conclusion, the speaker challenges the explanation from the reading passage on account of the reasons stated above. |