Can We Contact Aliens? If Yes, Then Should We Contact Aliens? GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

“Can we contact aliens? If yes, then should we contact aliens?” The first question is primarily for researchers and scientists whereas the second question is more a safety-related question. It isn’t that attempts haven’t been made to contact aliens. Radio signals containing certain messages have been transmitted to a distant star cluster – about 25,000 light-years away – in the 1970s. Most recently, in 2017, messages in the form of radio signals have been transmitted to a planet that is only 12 light-years away. However, certain questions still remain a mystery. For instance, if the radio waves do reach a planet with other life forms, will these species have the capability to decipher the message?

Radio wave communication seems like an intuitive mode of data transmission and reception in our world. However, a decent level of technological advancement is indeed required for someone to be able to detect such a message. And of course, after detection, the message needs to be decrypted and interpreted – a feat that requires advanced technological capabilities and an event that assumes higher-order intelligence among the receiver (alien species). Clearly, if the species does not possess the technological capability and the required level of intelligence, no matter how many signals we send, our efforts will be rendered a waste of time and resources.

On the other hand, if the message signals reach a species that is capable of not only detecting the message but also decrypting it, we will be evaluating a whole different scenario. Imagine receiving a response from such a life form – consider the level to which the species must have progressed in order to be able to achieve this feat. In fact, consider the scenario in which such an advanced life form turns out to be not-so-friendly: instead of responding, the species might arrive on earth with a hostile intent. That would be a scary scenario to put ourselves in. And such unwanted possibilities beg the second question – should we contact aliens? To paraphrase, should we let the outside world know of our location?

“Can we contact aliens? If yes, then should we contact aliens?”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates must have a solid grasp on English GMAT reading comprehension. There are four comprehension questions in this GMAT Reading Comprehension section. GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed to evaluate candidates' abilities to comprehend, analyze, and apply information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare by answering GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solutions and Explanation

1. What is the main point of the passage?

1. To raise certain scientific and safety-related points to consider while attempting to communicate with alien species
2. To point out that alien species need not have the exact same technological advancements and intelligence as humans do
3. To point out the possibility of resource wastage through extraterrestrial communication attempts
4. To point out the possibility of an alien attack
5. To highlight that humans and aliens cannot co-exist peacefully

2. Which of the following cannot be inferred from the passage?

1. The messages sent by us to aliens cannot be read directly and need to be decrypted first.
2. Detection of a radio message cannot be done by primitive civilizations
3. There is a planet that is less than 15 light-years away from us.
4. Higher-order intelligence is required to decrypt such a message that is transmitted in an attempt to contact aliens.
5. Attempts to contact aliens have rendered fruitful results in the past.

3. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

1. Radio messages sent to faraway places can get diluted and as a result the message may be lost.
2. Certain levels of technological advancement are required in order to be able to detect a radio message.
3. Attempting to contact aliens is an expensive endeavor.
4. X-rays are as effective as radio waves in transmitting messages.
5. There is a high possibility that alien species could harbor a hostile attitude towards us.

4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

1. “Can we contact aliens?” is a question directed towards scientists.
2. “Should we contact aliens?” is a question directed to politicians.
3. Alien species tend to respond to any communication from us as long as they are able to detect the message.
4. The more the number of message signals sent, the lower the probability that an alien species would receive one of the message signals.
5. Most of the alien life forms have the technological capability to decipher the radio signals sent by us.

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