Coronal Mass Ejections - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 2 Academic Reading Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 27–40
Reading Passage
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27-40, which are based on Reading Passage 3 below.
Coronal Mass Ejections
Quebec, 13th March 1989: At 2.45 a.m. the province's entire power grid crashed. The blackout affected six million people in north-eastern Canada for up to nine hours, shutting schools and businesses, and closing down the Montreal Metro and Dorval Airport. Meanwhile, a red glow appeared in the night sky over most of the world, and as far south as Texas and Cuba people were able to see multi-coloured shifting lights in the sky. At the same time, in space, some satellites spun out of control for several hours. The blackout in Quebec was caused when the safety systems in the electricity network sensed a power surge caused by electric energy flowing through the ground. In fact, most of North America was experiencing increased electrical activity and around 200 power grid problems were reported within minutes of each other.
All the events had one source: days earlier a massive wave of energy had erupted from the sun and crashed into earth's magnetic field. These events are called coronal mass ejections (CMEs). CMEs are similar to solar flares in so far as they both produce high-energy particles that are dangerous to living organisms. They are both explosions on the surface of the sun that continue for minutes and even hours, and they can release enough energy to power the USA for a million years. They happen when areas of intense solar activity called sunspots appear and magnetic fields associated with sunspots connect, sending huge amounts of energy away from the sun. The most dangerous emissions from these ejections are protons (subatomic particles with a positive electrical charge) and X-rays.
The sun has an eleven-year cycle of activity in which the intensity of activity on its surface changes, the most intense period (called a solar maximum) being characterised by the appearance of sun spots and solar flares. Like solar flares, CMEs are more likely to be produced during the period of maximum solar activity. However, unlike solar flares, which produce high-energy particles near the surface of the sun, CMEs carry a large volume of material much further into interplanetary space. Fortunately, the iron core spinning at the centre of the Earth generates a magnetic force field around the planet called the magnetosphere. This magnetic field reaches out thousands of miles into space and protects us from all but the most violent CMEs. When the solar material collides with the earth's magnetosphere, it triggers geomagnetic storms of the kind that affected Quebec so dramatically.
CMEs and flares are classified as B, C, M or X according to how strong they are. Each letter of the scale is ten times more powerful than the previous one; so an X flare is ten times more powerful than an M and a hundred times more powerful than a C flare. Within each letter scale there is a finer gradation from 1 to 9. In reality, C class flares are too weak to affect the Earth; M class flares can cause radio blackouts in areas near the poles and cause weak radiation storms that can be dangerous for astronauts. However, the X class flares can cause considerable damage at ground level. Although the flare that affected Quebec was strong, the most powerful flare ever recorded was in 2003 – a flare so powerful that it overloaded satellite sensors.
It will typically take a CME three to five days to affect the Earth after leaving the sun. Observing the ejection of CMEs from the sun provides early warning of geomagnetic storms. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, a European-built spacecraft that orbits the Earth, continuously observes the CMEs to determine if they are travelling in the direction of the Earth as damage to satellites and communications can be very serious. Communications satellites are generally the most exposed to damage from CMEs – these satellites are often in high orbits. When the solar material hits a satellite, it becomes charged with electricity and a component can become damaged by the current or by high-energy particles penetrating the satellite. As we have become more and more dependent upon high technology and other systems that can be affected by electrical currents and energy particles, the danger from flares and CMEs has intensified. But could a solar flare or CME be large enough to cause a global disaster? It is impossible to give an answer.
Questions
Questions 27–30 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 31–35 Matching Features
Which characterises the following?
Write the correct letter, A, B or C, next to Questions 31-35.
A. solar flare
B. CME
C. both
Questions 36–40 Matching Features
Which flares are mentioned in the text as having the effects below?
Write the correct letter, A, B, or C, next to Questions 36-40.
A. C flares
B. M flares
C. X flares
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q27 | C | The blackout affected six million people in north-eastern Canada for up to nine hours, shutting schools and businesses, and closing down the Montreal Metro and Dorval Airport | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says the power outage hit one part of Canada and caused only one specific airport, called Dorval Airport, to close. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the solar event did not stop every single airplane from flying in the whole country of Canada. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the passage only mentions that Dorval Airport (one specific airport) was closed, not every airport in Canada. In contrast, the text confirms that it disrupted the lives of Canadians by shutting down schools and businesses (Option A), created unusual lights seen in Texas (Option B), and caused electricity to flow through the ground across most of North America (Option D). Since the question asks for the thing that did NOT happen, Choice C is the right pick. |
| Q28 | C | Fortunately, the iron core spinning at the centre of the Earth generates a magnetic force field around the planet called the magnetosphere | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that there is a spinning center made of iron inside the Earth, and this part creates the magnetic field known as the magnetosphere. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the magnetosphere is created by the metal found in the middle of our planet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Choice C because the text says the "iron core" at the center of the Earth is what creates a magnetic force field called the magnetosphere. In this context, "iron" is a type of metal and the "core" refers to the centre of the Earth. |
| Q29 | A | The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, a European-built spacecraft that orbits the Earth, continuously observes the CMEs to determine if they are travelling in the direction of the Earth as damage to satellites and communications can be very serious | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that this spacecraft stays in space and constantly looks at energy waves. Its job is to find out if those waves are moving toward Earth, because they could cause a lot of trouble for our technology. Answer Explanation: The answer means that this specific machine in space watches for energy waves from the sun and warns people if they are coming toward our planet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text explains that the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory is used to watch (observe) CMEs. Specifically, it checks to see if these energy waves are moving toward Earth. This matches the idea of telling scientists when a CME is approaching. Key words in the text like 'observes' and 'travelling in the direction of the Earth' show that its job is to track these waves as they move toward us. |
| Q30 | B | When the solar material hits a satellite, it becomes charged with electricity and a component can become damaged by the current or by high-energy particles penetrating the satellite | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that when energy from the sun reaches a satellite, small parts of that energy can get inside the satellite's parts and cause damage. Answer Explanation: The answer means that CMEs can hurt satellites because tiny pieces of energy (particles) strike them and go inside. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the passage explains how satellites are damaged when solar material hits them. Specifically, it mentions that satellites can be damaged by electric currents or by high-energy particles that enter or 'penetrate' the satellite. The word 'bombarding' in the answer choice describes this action of many particles hitting and entering the satellite. |
| Q31 | C | the most intense period (called a solar maximum) being characterised by the appearance of sun spots and solar flares. Like solar flares, CMEs are more likely to be produced during the period of maximum solar activity | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that the solar maximum is a time when solar flares show up. It then says that CMEs are also more likely to be made during this same period. Answer Explanation: The answer means that both solar flares and CMEs happen when the sun is very active during its 11-year cycle. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text describes the "solar maximum" as a very active time for the sun. It says that solar flares appear during this time. It also says that, just like solar flares, CMEs are more likely to happen during this period of high sun activity. |
| Q32 | B | However, unlike solar flares, which produce high-energy particles near the surface of the sun, CMEs carry a large volume of material much further into interplanetary space | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that, unlike solar flares, CMEs move a lot of material deep into space. Answer Explanation: The answer is CME (Coronal Mass Ejection). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because CMEs are specifically described as being different from solar flares in how far they send materials. While solar flares stay close to the sun's surface, CMEs move a huge amount of material very far away into the space between planets. |
| Q33 | C | CMEs are similar to solar flares in so far as they both produce high-energy particles that are dangerous to living organisms | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that CMEs and solar flares have something in common: they both create particles that have high energy. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that both solar flares and CMEs create high-energy particles. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text says that CMEs and solar flares are alike in a specific way: they both create particles that have high energy. These particles can be harmful to life. Words like 'similar' and 'both' show that this quality applies to the two items (solar flares and CMEs). |
| Q34 | C | As we have become more and more dependent upon high technology and other systems that can be affected by electrical currents and energy particles, the danger from flares and CMEs has intensified | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that since we use many technology systems that can be changed or damaged by energy from space, the risk of problems from both flares and CMEs is higher today. Answer Explanation: The answer choice C means that both solar flares and CMEs (coronal mass ejections) have the ability to impact or cause problems on Earth. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text explains that both types of solar activity send energy toward Earth that can cause trouble. For example, the passage states that strong solar flares can cause damage on the ground and that CMEs were the cause of a major power outage in Quebec. The passage also highlights that because we use a lot of technology, both flares and CMEs are a growing danger to our systems. |
| Q35 | A | However, unlike solar flares, which produce high-energy particles near the surface of the sun, CMEs carry a large volume of material much further into interplanetary space | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that solar flares make energy particles close to the sun's face, but CMEs send materials much further out into space. Answer Explanation: The answer means that solar flares are the events that create energy very close to the outer part of the sun. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text points out a specific difference between the two events. While both involve energy from the sun, the passage explains that solar flares create energy particles 'near the surface'. In contrast, CMEs (Coronal Mass Ejections) move material much further away into deep space. |
| Q36 | C | However, the X class flares can cause considerable damage at ground level | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that X class flares are powerful enough to cause a lot of harm to things on the ground where people live. Answer Explanation: The answer is C, which stands for X class flares. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because X class flares are the most powerful type mentioned. The text explains that while C flares are too weak to do anything and M flares only affect the poles or space, X class flares are strong enough to cause damage at ground level. In this context, ground level means the Earth's surface. |
| Q37 | B | M class flares can cause radio blackouts in areas near the poles | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that flares in the M category can stop radio signals from working in specific parts of the world near the North and South Poles. Answer Explanation: The answer is B, which refers to M class flares. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the passage specifically mentions that M class flares cause 'radio blackouts.' A blackout means something stops working, so a radio blackout means you cannot listen to the radio. The text also says this happens 'in areas near the poles,' which are the 'certain places' described in the question. |
| Q38 | A | In reality, C class flares are too weak to affect the Earth | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage tells us that C class flares do not have much power and do not cause any changes on Earth, so people would not notice them. Answer Explanation: The answer is A because C flares are the weakest type of solar event mentioned, and they are too small to have any impact on our planet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text explicitly states that C class flares are 'too weak to affect the Earth.' This means that they do not have enough power to cause any changes that a person would notice. In contrast, M flares and X flares are described as having noticeable effects like radio blackouts or physical damage. |
| Q39 | B | M class flares can cause radio blackouts in areas near the poles and cause weak radiation storms that can be dangerous for astronauts | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that M class flares create storms that are bad or unsafe for astronauts, who are the people working in space. Answer Explanation: The answer is B (M flares) because this type of solar activity can be harmful to people working in space. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the passage specifically mentions that M class flares result in radiation storms. These storms are described as being "dangerous for astronauts," and since astronauts are the individuals who live and work in space, this type of flare matches the description of causing harm to those in space. |
| Q40 | C | Although the flare that affected Quebec was strong, the most powerful flare ever recorded was in 2003 – a flare so powerful that it overloaded satellite sensors | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that the strongest solar flare ever found happened in 2003, and it was so strong that it caused the electronic parts (sensors) on satellites to break or stop working correctly. Answer Explanation: The answer is X flares because they are the most powerful class of solar flares and are capable of causing serious damage to satellite tools. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text explains a ranking system for solar flares where X is the strongest (10 times more powerful than M flares). It mentions that the most powerful flare ever recorded occurred in 2003 and was so intense that it 'overloaded satellite sensors.' This shows that very strong flares (X class) have the power to damage the sensitive electronic equipment used on satellites. |