Question

the moon’s continuous and rapid forward motion is perpendicular to earth’s gravitational pull. this forward motion prevents the moon from crashing into earth, while earth’s gravitational pull prevents the moon from flying off into space. so as long as its forward motion is continuously balanced by earth’s gravitational pull, the moon will stay in a stable, curved orbit around earth.
what would most likely happen if the moon was suddenly unaffected by earth’s gravity?
the moon would stay in a stable, curved orbit around earth.
the moon would travel in the opposite direction around earth.
the moon would travel in a straight line in the direction of its forward motion.
the moon would crash into earth.

Explanation:

The passage states Earth's gravity keeps the Moon in a curved orbit by balancing its forward motion. Without this gravitational pull, the Moon would follow its inherent forward motion in a straight line, as there would be no force to curve its path.

Answer:

The Moon would travel in a straight line in the direction of its forward motion.