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22 June Mock - Paper1

A Day in the Life of a Space Station Astronaut

What if your morning commute didn’t take you through traffic, but instead soared 400 kilometres above Earth at speeds faster than a speeding bullet? Welcome to life aboard the International Space Station (ISS)—a place where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and gravity is just a memory.

The ISS isn’t just a spaceship—it’s a symbol of collaboration and courage, built by astronauts and scientists from across the globe. Orbiting the planet every 90 minutes, the station races through space at over 28,000 kilometres per hour. Astronauts aboard this floating lab witness 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets each day, reminding them how quickly time passes in the vacuum of space. Though it may seem like a life of wonder, every day on the ISS is carefully scheduled. Structure and self-discipline are essential for survival in an environment where even water floats away if you’re not paying attention.

Astronauts begin their day not with an alarm clock, but with a gentle wake-up call from mission control. They sleep inside cosy cocoons, secured to the walls so they don’t drift away mid-dream. Hygiene routines are a balancing act—no showers, no taps, and certainly no toothbrush left floating mid-air. Everything must be controlled and precise. Even brushing teeth becomes an exercise in patience: a tiny pouch of water is used, and toothpaste must be swallowed—spitting would cause a floating mess of minty chaos!

Meals on the ISS are packaged, portioned, and prepared with care. There’s no fridge, and no fresh fruit unless a resupply ship arrives from Earth. Instead, food is freeze-dried, thermostabilised, and taste-tested for long missions. Still, astronauts enjoy eating together, swapping stories, and laughing while their forks float beside them. The view from the Cupola, a glass observatory module, offers a front-row seat to Earth’s wonders—swirling storms, shimmering cities, and vast blue oceans. It’s a breakfast view that even the grandest hotel can’t match.

The ISS is a floating laboratory, and astronauts are its researchers. They conduct experiments that study plant growth, human health, and fluid behaviour in microgravity—insights that help improve life on Earth and prepare us for missions to Mars. Occasionally, astronauts go on a spacewalk, which is neither a walk nor simple. Suited in gear that weighs more than 100 kilograms on Earth, they step outside into the endless abyss, tethered only by a safety cord. Out there, with Earth spinning beneath their feet, astronauts describe it as a feeling like no other—”like dangling on the edge of forever.”

In space, your muscles can shrink and bones can weaken, so astronauts train daily with dedication. They use resistance bands, cycle while floating, and run on a treadmill where they are strapped down. Exercise is not just for health—it helps astronauts feel grounded, even in a place without gravity. Mental fitness is just as important. Living in confined spaces with a small crew can be isolating, so astronauts play games, watch films, and video call loved ones. They celebrate birthdays and holidays together, turning a sterile space station into a home with heart.

Before bed, astronauts review the day’s work, log notes for ground control, and check the status of systems. Then it’s time to return to their floating cocoons, zip up, and drift off as the stars outside twinkle like frozen fireworks. Inside the ISS, the hum of equipment lulls them to sleep. Outside, the silent sea of space stretches endlessly—a reminder of how small we are, and how far we’ve come.

A day in the life of an astronaut is filled with challenges, choices, and curiosity. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s always meaningful. Every moment on the ISS adds to our understanding of space and brings us closer to discovering whether we are alone in the universe. So, could you live a life without gravity, fresh air, or your favourite snacks? Could you float, fix, and function under pressure millions of miles from home? If so, perhaps your journey among the stars has only just begun.

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English Comprehension - comprehension - LangleyMock2

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1 / 25

Which statement best describes the ISS’s speed compared to other speeds mentioned in the passage?

A. It is slower than a commercial jet.

B. It is nearly as fast as the speed of light.

C. It is much faster than a jet but far slower than light.

D. It is slightly faster than a commercial jet.

E. It is faster than the speed of light.

The passage states the ISS moves much faster than a commercial jet (28,000 kph vs 900 kph) but far slower than the speed of light.

2 / 25

How many sunrises and sunsets do astronauts on the ISS see each day?

A. 2

B. 16

C. 8

D. 12

E. 1

The ISS orbits Earth every 90 minutes, meaning astronauts experience 16 sunrises and sunsets daily.

3 / 25

In the sentence “gravity is just a memory,” what is the author suggesting?

A. Gravity does not affect astronauts on the ISS

B. Gravity becomes less noticeable over time

C. Suits are so heavy that gravity is forgotten

D. Some parts of ISS lab have no gravity

E. Gravity has been replaced by magnetic force

The phrase means gravity doesn't affect astronauts onboard the ISS.

4 / 25

How do astronauts sleep on the ISS?

A. In cocoons tied to the walls

B. In beds bolted to the floor

C. In suspended hammocks

D. On reclined chairs

E. In pods attached to the ceiling

Astronauts sleep in cocoons tied to the walls to avoid floating away.

5 / 25

Why must toothpaste be swallowed on the ISS?

A. To keep equipment clean

B. To recycle water in the station

C. To save water

D. To avoid floating messes

E. As part of a health routine

Spitting would result in floating globs of toothpaste that could damage equipment or create messes.

6 / 25

Which sentence best shows that astronauts live in a unique and challenging environment?

A. “They conduct experiments on fluid behaviour.”

B. “Meals are packaged and portioned with care.”

C. “Everything must be controlled and precise.”

D. “They sleep in cosy cocoons.”

E. “Astronauts exercise to prevent muscle loss.”

“Everything must be controlled and precise” highlights the discipline needed in space.

7 / 25

What is the Cupola used for?

A. A storage unit

B. An observatory to view Earth

C. A sleep chamber

D. A module for conducting experiments

E. A space to prepare meals

The Cupola is described as a glass observatory module to view Earth.

8 / 25

Which of these best describes the tone of the passage?

A. Sad and gloomy

B. Informative and imaginative

C. Detached and technical

D. Doubtful and unclear

E. Critical and cautionary

The passage is both informative and imaginative, combining facts with engaging descriptions.

9 / 25

What kind of exercise equipment is used on the ISS?

A. Free weights and yoga mats

B. Weight machines and rowing machines

C. Treadmills and rowing benches

D. Treadmills and jump ropes

E. Treadmills and resistance bands

Astronauts use treadmills and resistance bands in space.

10 / 25

What is the main reason astronauts must exercise daily on the ISS?

A. To improve mental focus

B. To prepare for Mars missions

C. To practise for spacewalks

D. To prevent bone and muscle weakening

E. To burn off calories

Microgravity causes muscles and bones to weaken; daily exercise helps prevent that.

11 / 25

What literary device is used in the phrase “drift off as the stars outside twinkle like frozen fireworks”?

A. Hyperbole

B. Alliteration

C. Simile

D. Metaphor

E. Personification

The phrase uses “like” to compare twinkling stars to fireworks, which is a simile.

12 / 25

What does the phrase “dangling on the edge of forever” suggest about the experience of spacewalking?

A. It feels like falling forever

B. It is boring and repetitive

C. It feels endless and awe-inspiring

D. It is routine and calm

E. It is thrilling but dangerous

The metaphor conveys the vastness and awe of spacewalking.

13 / 25

What does the word "microgravity" most likely mean in the passage?

A. Very weak gravity

B. Earth-like gravity

C. A magnetic force

D. Artificial gravity

E. Zero gravity

Microgravity refers to a state of very weak gravity.

14 / 25

How do astronauts maintain mental wellbeing on the ISS?

A. They contact family, watch films, and play games

B. They journal daily about their experiences

C. They sleep longer hours

D. They meditate every day

E. They exercise daily

They play games, watch films, and stay in contact with family.

15 / 25

What does the metaphor “a floating lab” refer to?

A. A temporary building

B. The ISS being a laboratory in space

C. A space shuttle that moves around

D. A research balloon

E. A lab orbiting the moon

The ISS is a laboratory that floats in orbit, used for experiments.

16 / 25

How often does the ISS orbit Earth?

A. Every 12 hours

B. Every 6 hours

C. Every 90 minutes

D. Every 24 hours

E. Once a week

The ISS completes one orbit every 90 minutes.

17 / 25

Why are astronauts tethered during spacewalks?

A. To help steer their suits

B. To prevent them from floating away

C. To maintain communication with the ISS

D. To stay near electrical controls

E. To keep them warm

The tether keeps them from drifting away into space.

18 / 25

What is the main purpose of this passage?

A. To compare space and Earth life

B. To describe a typical day for astronauts on the ISS

C. To describe how the ISS works

D. To explain how rockets work

E. To describe why space missions are important

It describes a day in the life of an astronaut aboard the ISS.

19 / 25

What is the effect of the phrase “the silent sea of space”?

A. It compares space to a desert

B. It suggests space has water

C. It makes space sound calm and endless

D. It shows that space is loud and stormy

E. It suggests oceans in outer space

It creates a peaceful and vast image of outer space.

20 / 25

Why is the ISS called a “symbol of collaboration”?

A. The astronauts work together at the ISS

B. It includes many science labs

C. It is shown in space documentaries

D. It was built by many countries

E. It hosts competitions between space agencies

It was built and is maintained by many countries.

21 / 25

Which sentence from the passage uses alliteration?

A. “they step outside into the endless abyss.”

B. “Earth spinning beneath their feet.”

C. “Meals are packaged, portioned, and prepared with care.”

D. “They function under pressure.”

E. “The stars outside twinkle like fireworks.”

“Meals are packaged, portioned, and prepared with care” uses repeated 'p' sounds.

22 / 25

What does the author suggest about life on the ISS?

A. It is boring but necessary

B. It is relaxing and luxurious

C. It is controlled, purposeful, and rewarding

D. It is challenging but monotonous

E. It is unpredictable and wild

Life is structured and challenging but rewarding and meaningful.

23 / 25

Which sentence uses the passive voice?

A. They observe Earth from the Cupola.

B. Astronauts sleep in floating cocoons.

C. Mission control wakes them up each morning.

D. Experiments are conducted by astronauts in microgravity.

E. They exercise daily to stay fit.

“Experiments are conducted by astronauts in microgravity.” is passive.

24 / 25

Which sentence contains a prepositional phrase?

A. Astronauts log notes and check the status.

B. The station orbits Earth.

C. Astronauts celebrate holidays.

D. They watch films together.

E. Astronauts float beside their meal trays.

“Astronauts float beside their meal trays.” includes “beside their meal trays.”

25 / 25

Based on the passage, what skill would be most essential for an astronaut to thrive on the ISS?

A. Leadership to manage the crew

B. A very high IQ

C. Physical strength for spacewalks

D. Adaptability to handle unique challenges like floating hygiene tasks

E. Mathematical expertise for experiments

Adaptability is crucial due to constant adjustments in microgravity.

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LangleyMock2 - Paper1 - English Punctuation, Grammar, Spelling

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