LIFE ON MARS?
Read LIFE ON MARS? and check the IELTS Reading answers. When scientists began observing Mars with their first primitive telescopes, they assumed from the start that the planet was peopled. The 18th-century astronomer William Herschel, noting the seasons and atmosphere of Mars, declared that 'its in…
Passage preview
When scientists began observing Mars with their first primitive telescopes, they assumed from the start that the planet was peopled. The 18th-century astronomer William Herschel, noting the seasons and atmosphere of Mars, declared that 'its inhabitants enjoy a situation similar to our own'. A century later, astronomers asserted that they could detect canals running across the Martian landscape. These canals, argued US scientist Percival Lowell, had been built by technologically advanced Martians to transport water from the poles to the equator of their drying world. 'Martian folk are possessed of inventions of which we have not dreamed,' he argued.
Vocabulary from this passage
7 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- arid adjective
Having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation
The Martian surface is a vast, arid desert with no liquid water.
- estuary noun
The tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream
Probes found evidence of ancient estuaries where rivers once met Martian seas.
- extremophile noun
A microorganism that lives in conditions of extreme temperature, acidity, or pressure
Studying extremophiles helps researchers understand how life might survive on Mars.
- grotesque adjective
Comically or repulsively ugly or distorted in a shocking way
The film depicted the aliens as grotesque creatures with multiple limbs.
- pitiless adjective
Showing no pity; cruel, harsh, or relentless
The novel describes a pitiless invasion that left the city in ruins.
- sodden adjective
Saturated with liquid, especially water; soaked through
Billions of years ago, rain likely swept across the sodden Martian terrain.
- unequivocal adjective
Leaving no doubt; unambiguous and clear in meaning or intent
The scientist provided unequivocal evidence that the temperature was rising.
Answers with explanations
- 27. D
Paragraph D identifies a specific rock, the **meteorite** ALH84001, which was found on Earth (Antarctic) but **originated** on Mars. The text explains that the rock was 'blasted into space' from Mars before landing on our planet, clearly linking the location of discovery with its extraterrestrial source.
- 28. G
The heading asks for **a plan to analyse material** on Mars. Look for future-oriented wording such as **current projects**. The paragraph says projects are aimed at **conducting experiments** to detect carbon 13 in **soil and rock samples** on Mars, which paraphrases analysing material. Other paragraphs describe past probes or discoveries, but only this paragraph describes work that is planned or under way to test samples on the planet's surface.
- 29. E
Paragraph E explicitly compares Earth and Mars, explaining the **reason** for their current divergence. It states that the loss of Mars's **magnetic field** caused its water and gases to escape, whereas Earth’s field provided **protection**, leading to the distinct environments we see today.
- 30. F
The statement is about **an observation suggesting there is currently water** on Mars. The signpost is the discovery of **signs of water**. The paragraph says some researchers believe water from **underground reservoirs** still gushes through valleys as flash floods, and that the Odyssey probe found large amounts of **ice** in the ground. This concerns water that may exist now. The earlier paragraph about riverbeds and seas describes water that existed in the distant past, so it does not fit.
- 31. A
Paragraph A introduces Percival Lowell, who **claimed** that 'canals' on Mars were artificial structures. He believed these were **built** (construction) by an advanced civilization to move water, providing a clear example of a claim regarding Martian infrastructure.
- 32. H
The question is about **a possibility that humans and Martians could share the same origins**. Scan for wording about common **source** or origin. The final discussion says that if **DNA** is located on Mars, life on both planets **may spring from the same source**. The word **may** matches the question's possibility. The alternative, no DNA, would mean life evolved independently, so only the DNA-found scenario matches this heading.
- 33. B
The correct option is that the **Martian environment** resembled Earth. Herschel noted 'seasons and atmosphere' and concluded the situation was **similar to our own**. Options regarding physical appearance or primitive nature are not supported by his quote. The dry climate mention is attributed to later views, not Herschel specifically.
- 34. C
The question asks what changed public ideas about Martians at the end of the 19th century. Use the clue **1898**, which leads to **H.G. Wells** and his novel **The War of the Worlds**. The text says Martians became synonymous with grotesque, threatening aliens for the public. A novel is a **work of literature**, so that is the cause. Scientific discussion is wrong because the writer says scientists were **more restrained**, and no media reports or magazine illustrations are mentioned.
- 35. D
In the 1960s, the Mariner probes provided data that **disproven** the **earlier beliefs** that Mars was covered in vegetation. Instead, the images showed 'arid deserts,' which shattered the previous scientific expectations of a lush, peopled world. This directly confirms the refutation of prior theories.
- 36. A
The question concerns what the study of **extremophiles** suggests. These are bacteria found in **hostile landscapes** on Earth, such as acid lakes and volcanoes. The text says this research supports the idea that living organisms **could survive Mars's harshness**. That matches the idea that organisms can survive on Mars. The option about similar organisms is too strong, because the text does not say Earth's organisms are like Martian ones, and the crystal and volcano options are not supported.
- 37. YES
The statement says **Lowell believed** Martian technology was **more developed** than human technology. Lowell is quoted as arguing that the Martians have **inventions of which we have not dreamed**. That means they have technology beyond humanity's own imagination, so the claim paraphrases his words accurately. The writer reports the belief directly, with no contradiction elsewhere, so the answer is YES, as the statement reflects the quoted view of Lowell.
- 38. NO
The claim is that information from the **Viking probes remains unchallenged**. The Viking probes landed in areas described as dead, and Mars was **declared officially dead - for a while**. The key phrase is **for a while**, and the next paragraph says that **since that time** evidence supporting life has been found. This contradicts the idea that the Viking findings stand without challenge, so the answer is NO. The debate over meteorite crystals is not the evidence for this answer.
- 39. YES
The claim is that there is evidence of **significant climate change** on Mars. The paragraph says astronomers are convinced that the surface, although **hostile and arid today**, was once **lush and welcoming**. Dried-up riverbeds and old estuaries are the evidence, and the loss of the magnetic field is given as the cause. A shift from lush to arid is a **major change**, so the writer clearly supports the statement, giving YES.
- 40. NOT GIVEN
The statement says **Spanish scientists plan to launch space probes** if DNA is found. The Madrid professor discusses what finding DNA would mean for biology and for life elsewhere. The final sentence says evidence of organisms would give **renewed purpose** to manned space flight projects, but this is the writer's general comment, not a plan by **Spanish scientists**. The text neither confirms nor contradicts any such plan, so the answer is NOT GIVEN.