PART C. READING (25 POINTS)

Read the following passage and fill in each blank with ONE suitable word.

PLANETS BEYOND OUR SOLAR SYSTEM

Throughout history we have wondered about the possibility (51)………….life

beyond the Earth. It is only in recent years, however, that advances in technology (52)…………. revealed the existence of extrasolar planets (or “exoplanets”); (53)………….is to say, planets which orbit not our own Sun, but other stars in the universe. So (54)…………., astronomers have identified a few thousand exoplanets, but believe that billions more exist.

Although many astronomers believe that a large (55)………….of planets in the universe are capable of supporting (56)…………. kinds of living organism, whether or not life has developed on any of them (57)………….not yet known. An essential requirement for life is liquid water. (58)………….a planet is to have liquid water on its surface, its temperature must be (59)………….too hot nor too cold. However, (60)………….a planet, other than the Earth, has yet to be discovered.

(CAE Grammar and Vocabulary for Advanced)

Throughout history we have wondered about the possibility (51)………….life beyond the Earth.