Science and Technology Texts Flashcards

A technical passage states: 'The new satellite telemetry system achieves latency reductions of approximately 40 milliseconds compared to legacy ground-based relay stations, enabling near-real-time data transmission for time-sensitive military operations.' What is the primary advantage described?

Answer: It reduces data transmission delays compared to older relay systems

The passage explicitly states the system achieves 'latency reductions' compared to 'legacy ground-based relay stations,' enabling near-real-time transmission. The advantage described is reduced delay, not cost savings, elimination of satellites, or encryption improvements.

A scientific text reads: 'Desalination throughput is constrained by membrane biofouling, which reduces permeability over time and necessitates periodic chemical cleaning cycles that interrupt continuous operations.' What problem does biofouling cause?

Answer: It decreases the membranes' ability to pass water through over time

'Biofouling reduces permeability' means it makes the membranes less able to allow water through. The passage says this requires cleaning cycles but does not say the damage is permanent, that contaminants enter the water, or that filtration speeds up.

A passage about aerospace technology states: 'Composite materials have supplanted traditional aluminum alloys in airframe construction due to their superior strength-to-weight ratio, though their susceptibility to delamination under repeated stress cycles remains an engineering challenge.' Which statement best summarizes this passage?

Answer: Composites offer a weight advantage over aluminum but have a structural vulnerability

The passage states composites replaced aluminum due to a better strength-to-weight ratio (an advantage), but delamination under stress is a remaining challenge (a vulnerability). Option C accurately captures both points without distorting either.

A technology article reports: 'The proliferation of commercial drone technology has outpaced regulatory frameworks in most jurisdictions, creating surveillance and airspace security vulnerabilities that defense analysts consider an emergent threat vector.' What concern is expressed?

Answer: The rapid spread of drone technology has created security gaps that laws have not kept up with

'Outpaced regulatory frameworks' means technology spread faster than regulations could follow. This gap creates security vulnerabilities. Options A, B, and D contradict or misrepresent what the passage actually states.

A scientific passage on epidemiology notes: 'Zoonotic transmission events — instances where pathogens cross from animal reservoirs to human populations — have increased in frequency as human encroachment on wildlife habitats intensifies.' What does the passage identify as a cause of increased zoonotic events?

Answer: Humans moving into areas previously occupied primarily by wildlife

The passage directly states that 'human encroachment on wildlife habitats' drives the increase in zoonotic transmission. Option B correctly describes this — humans expanding into wildlife areas. The other options are not mentioned as causes.

A technology passage states: 'Quantum computing's theoretical advantage over classical computing in cryptographic applications stems from its ability to evaluate superposition states simultaneously, potentially rendering current RSA encryption standards obsolete.' What implication does the passage raise?

Answer: RSA encryption could become ineffective if quantum computing advances sufficiently

The passage says quantum computing could 'render RSA encryption obsolete,' meaning it would no longer be effective as a security standard. The word 'potentially' indicates this is a future risk, not a current reality. The passage does not say classical computers are superior or that quantum computers are unreliable.