Question

walking on the moon. today, over five hundred people from roughly forty countries have orbited earth. the international space station, the most elaborate global scientific project in history, is the result of the engineering prowess of five different nations. experts, from astronauts to physicists, are now working toward the next interstellar triumph: sending humans to mars. there are important motivations for this daunting yet essential task: scientific progress and the long - term survival of the human species.
2 today, there are more people than ever on earth, using its resources and degrading the water, soil, and air. medical advancements have allowed people to live longer. the time is approaching when earth may no longer be able to support our numbers.
how do the first and second paragraphs introduce the topic?
one paragraph supplies background information about space exploration, and the other paragraph outlines a problem.
the two paragraphs compare and contrast the methods of space travel during the early days of space exploration and in modern times.
one paragraph presents a problem with the mars mission, and the other paragraph qualifies the main claim to accommodate the problem.

Explanation:

The first paragraph gives background on space exploration achievements like moon - walking, Earth - orbiting, and the International Space Station, and mentions the goal of sending humans to Mars. The second paragraph outlines the problem of Earth's resource depletion and over - population, suggesting a need for space exploration for long - term human survival.

Answer:

One paragraph supplies background information about space exploration, and the other paragraph outlines a problem.