Question

suited for spacewalks
adapted from nasa
following gemini, the apollo program added a new dimension in
spacesuit design because actual spacewalks, on the surface of the moon,
were now to occur for the first time. as with mercury and gemini space
garments, apollo suits had to serve as a backup system to the
space capsule. besides allowing flexibility in the shoulder and arm areas,
they also had to permit movements of the legs and waist. astronauts needed
to be able to bend and stoop to pick up samples on the moon. suits had to
function both in microgravity and in the one - sixth gravity of the moons
surface. furthermore, when walking on the moon, apollo astronauts needed
the flexibility to roam freely without dragging a cumbersome combination
oxygen line and tether. a self - contained portable life - support system was
needed.
the apollo spacesuit began with a garment that used water as a coolant.
the garment, similar to long johns but laced with a network of thin walled
plastic tubing, circulated cooling water around the astronaut to prevent
overheating. a multi - layered pressure garment was worn on top of the
cooling suit. the innermost layer of this garment was a comfort layer of
lightweight nylon with fabric ventilation ducts. on top of this was a layer of
neoprene - coated nylon surrounded by a nylon restraint layer. this layer
contained the pressure inside the suit. improved mobility was achieved by
bellow - like joints of formed rubber with built - in restraint cables at the waist,
elbows, shoulders, wrist, knees, and ankles. on top of the pressure layer
were five layers of aluminized mylar for heat protection, mixed with four
spacing layers of non - woven dacron.
above these were two layers of material for additional thermal protection
and a non - flammable layer of teflon coated in a fibrous cloth. the outermost
layer of the suit was white teflon cloth. the last two layers were flame
resistant. in total, the suit layers provided the pressure, served as a protection
against heat and cold, and protected the wearer against micrometeoroid
impacts and the wear and tear of walking on the moon.
5
select the correct answer.
why does the author most likely include the details in the first paragraph?
a. to show that the apollo program was very innovative
b. to explain why there was a need for a new spacesuit design
c. to show the first time astronauts walked on the moon
d. to explain how the new spacesuit was adapted

Explanation:

The first paragraph of the passage talks about the new requirements for spacesuits due to the Apollo program's moonwalks (like flexibility for leg/waist movements, functioning in micro - gravity, and the need for a self - contained life - support system). These details are provided to explain the necessity of a new spacesuit design. Option A is incorrect as the paragraph is not mainly about showing the innovation of the Apollo program. Option C is wrong because the paragraph is not focused on showing the first moonwalk. Option D is incorrect as the first paragraph does not explain how the new spacesuit was adapted.

Answer:

B. to explain why there was a need for a new spacesuit design