CAT VARC Practice: Can You Solve These 15 Reading Comprehension Questions on Starlink?

Passage 1: The Architecture of Space-Based Internet

For much of the history of telecommunications, the provision of internet connectivity has depended on a relatively straightforward principle: information travels through physical infrastructure. Fibre-optic cables transmit data across continents, while cellular networks rely on terrestrial towers to connect users to the wider internet. Although these systems have transformed communication, their reach remains uneven. Laying cables across mountains, deserts and oceans is expensive, while building cellular towers in sparsely populated regions often yields insufficient commercial returns. Satellite internet attempts to overcome these geographical limitations by moving a part of the communication infrastructure into space.

Starlink, a satellite internet system developed by SpaceX, employs a constellation of satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO). Unlike traditional geostationary satellites, which orbit at approximately 35,786 kilometres above the equator, Starlink satellites operate much closer to Earth, generally at altitudes of several hundred kilometres. This difference in altitude has significant consequences for communication. A signal travelling to a satellite and back covers a shorter distance, reducing the time required for data transmission. Consequently, low Earth orbit systems can offer latency levels more comparable to those of terrestrial broadband than traditional satellite services can.

However, proximity to Earth introduces a different engineering challenge. A satellite in low Earth orbit moves rapidly relative to a point on the ground and cannot continuously serve the same geographical area. To maintain coverage, a network therefore requires numerous satellites whose coverage areas overlap and shift over time. The user terminal must also track or electronically connect to appropriate satellites as they move across the sky. The constellation functions not as a collection of independent broadcasting devices but as a coordinated network whose performance depends on the interaction between satellites, ground stations, user terminals and terrestrial internet infrastructure.

The system's apparent simplicity from the user's perspective conceals this complexity. A person may send a request from a remote village, but the request must still travel through several interconnected components before reaching the relevant server and returning with the requested information. Moreover, the satellite's presence overhead does not guarantee uninterrupted service. Network congestion, obstructions, weather conditions and the availability of suitable communication links can all influence performance.

The central innovation of Starlink, therefore, is not simply the placement of internet equipment in orbit. It lies in the attempt to combine a moving satellite constellation with sophisticated tracking, communication and network-management systems. Its success depends on making this complex arrangement function sufficiently reliably and economically to serve users who might otherwise remain poorly connected.

Questions

Q1. Which of the following best captures the central argument of the passage?

A. Satellite internet is fundamentally superior to terrestrial broadband because it eliminates geographical constraints.

B. Starlink's main innovation lies in integrating a low-orbit satellite constellation with coordinated communication systems to address connectivity limitations.

C. Traditional satellite internet has failed primarily because geostationary satellites cannot transmit data across continents.

D. The commercial success of satellite internet depends mainly on reducing the cost of launching individual satellites.

E. Satellite internet can replace fibre-optic cables and cellular towers once sufficient satellites are deployed.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The passage explains that Starlink's innovation goes beyond placing satellites in space. Its performance depends on coordinating satellites, ground stations, user terminals and network-management systems. Option B captures this central argument.

• A is incorrect because the passage does not claim that satellite internet is universally superior.

• C is incorrect because the passage does not say geostationary satellites cannot transmit across continents.

• D is too narrow; launch costs are only one part of the system.

• E overstates the argument by suggesting that satellites can replace all terrestrial infrastructure.

Q2. Why does operating at a lower altitude reduce latency?

A. Lower-altitude satellites can transmit data without relying on ground stations.

B. Their proximity to Earth allows them to avoid atmospheric interference entirely.

C. They can maintain a fixed position relative to users for longer periods.

D. Signals generally travel shorter distances between Earth and the satellite, reducing transmission time.

E. They can process information more quickly than satellites in higher orbits.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: Low Earth orbit satellites operate much closer to Earth than geostationary satellites. This shortens the distance that signals travel between the satellite and Earth, reducing the time required for communication.

• A is incorrect because ground stations may still be part of the communication network.

• B is incorrect because lower altitude does not eliminate atmospheric interference.

• C is incorrect because low Earth orbit satellites move rapidly relative to users.

• E is incorrect because the passage attributes the latency benefit to shorter transmission distances, not faster processing.

Q3. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about low Earth orbit satellites?

A. Their lower altitude reduces one communication problem but creates a need for coordinated coverage as satellites move.

B. Their movement makes them unsuitable for providing internet to stationary users.

C. Their ability to communicate with ground stations removes the need for overlapping coverage.

D. Their performance depends almost entirely on the processing power of user terminals.

E. Their lower latency guarantees uninterrupted connectivity in remote regions.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: The passage identifies two consequences of low Earth orbit. Satellites are closer to Earth, which reduces latency, but they move rapidly and cannot continuously serve the same geographical area. A large constellation and coordinated tracking help maintain coverage.

• B is incorrect because moving satellites can serve stationary users through coordinated network operations.

• C is incorrect because the passage explicitly discusses overlapping coverage.

• D is incorrect because performance depends on multiple interconnected components.

• E is incorrect because lower latency does not guarantee uninterrupted service.

Q4. The author mentions the request sent by a person in a remote village primarily to:

A. demonstrate that remote users generate less network traffic than urban users.

B. argue that satellite internet is more expensive than terrestrial broadband.

C. illustrate the multiple interconnected stages underlying what appears to be a simple internet interaction.

D. establish that ground stations are unnecessary when satellites are close to Earth.

E. show that geographical remoteness is the only factor affecting internet performance.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The remote-village example demonstrates that an apparently simple request involves multiple components and communication links. It supports the author's argument that Starlink's operation is more complex than merely having a satellite overhead.

• A introduces an unsupported comparison between rural and urban traffic.

• B introduces a cost comparison that the example does not establish.

• D contradicts the passage's discussion of ground stations and terrestrial infrastructure.

• E incorrectly treats geographical remoteness as the only factor affecting performance.

Q5. Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the passage's argument about the benefits of low Earth orbit?

A. Some users in remote regions have limited access to reliable electricity.

B. Satellite terminals require specialised equipment to communicate with satellites.

C. Terrestrial broadband providers continue to expand their fibre-optic networks.

D. The number of satellites in low Earth orbit has increased considerably.

E. Measurements show that, under comparable conditions, low Earth orbit systems do not achieve lower communication latency than traditional geostationary systems.

Correct Answer: E

Explanation: The passage argues that lower altitude reduces latency and identifies this as a significant advantage of low Earth orbit. If reliable measurements showed that this advantage did not exist under comparable conditions, the argument supporting that benefit would be substantially weakened.

• A identifies a separate obstacle to internet access.

• B is consistent with the passage's description of specialised equipment.

• C does not undermine the latency advantage of low Earth orbit.

• D is consistent with the expansion of satellite constellations.

Passage 2: The Hidden Economics of Connectivity

The promise of satellite internet is often framed as a technological solution to a geographical problem. If a satellite can deliver connectivity to a location where cables and towers are impractical, the reasoning goes, the digital divide can be narrowed without requiring the construction of extensive terrestrial infrastructure. Yet this argument risks confusing the technical possibility of providing internet access with the economic feasibility of providing it at scale. A network may reach almost any location within its coverage area without being affordable to the people living there.

The economics of Starlink involve substantial fixed costs. Satellites must be designed, manufactured, launched and replaced, while ground infrastructure, spectrum access, software development and network maintenance require continuing investment. Reusable launch vehicles can reduce some launch costs, but they do not eliminate the expense of operating a constellation. Satellites have finite lifespans, and a network that relies on a large number of spacecraft must periodically replenish its orbital population. As a result, the financial burden is not confined to the initial construction of the system; it is an ongoing obligation.

The network's commercial logic nevertheless differs from that of a conventional telecommunications provider. A terrestrial operator may find it uneconomical to extend fibre to a settlement containing only a few hundred households because the cost of construction must be recovered from a small customer base. A satellite operator can distribute certain infrastructure costs across users in many geographically separated markets. This creates the possibility of serving dispersed populations without building a dedicated physical connection to every settlement. However, the advantage is not unlimited. Satellite capacity is finite, and serving additional users in a particular region can reduce the bandwidth available to each user unless the network adds capacity or manages demand.

Pricing introduces another complication. Even if satellite service costs less than the construction of a new terrestrial network, the subscription and equipment charges may remain prohibitive for low-income households. The comparison is especially difficult because terrestrial infrastructure, once established, may serve a large number of users over many years at relatively low marginal cost. Satellite systems, by contrast, must continually bear the costs of replacement and launch, although their cost per user may fall as utilisation increases. The relevant comparison is therefore not simply between the price of a satellite terminal and the cost of laying a cable, but between the long-term costs and benefits of alternative systems under specific geographical and demographic conditions.

This distinction has implications for public policy. Governments seeking universal connectivity must decide whether to subsidise satellite subscriptions, extend terrestrial networks or combine the two. In some locations, satellites may provide the most practical solution; in others, fibre or fixed wireless may offer better capacity and affordability. A technologically neutral policy would evaluate each option according to local needs rather than assuming that one infrastructure model is universally optimal.

Starlink may expand the range of places where internet access is technically available. Whether that expansion translates into meaningful digital inclusion, however, depends on a wider set of economic and institutional choices. Connectivity becomes inclusive not when a signal can reach a household, but when the household can afford to use it reliably and productively.

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Questions

Q1. Which of the following best expresses the main thesis of the passage?

A. Satellite internet will inevitably replace terrestrial infrastructure because its geographical reach is greater.

B. The principal obstacle to universal connectivity is the physical lifespan of satellites rather than their operating costs.

C. The ability to deliver a signal to a location does not, by itself, establish that satellite internet will be affordable or economically sustainable there.

D. Governments should prioritise satellite internet because terrestrial infrastructure is inherently inefficient in every region.

E. Satellite internet becomes economically viable only when its users are concentrated in densely populated areas.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The passage distinguishes between the ability to provide internet access and the ability of people to afford and use that access. Satellite internet may reach remote households, but equipment costs, subscription charges and ongoing network expenses can limit its practical value.

• A incorrectly assumes that greater geographical reach guarantees replacement of terrestrial networks.

• B focuses on satellite lifespan, while the passage discusses broader economic considerations.

• D makes an absolute claim that the author explicitly rejects.

• E is incorrect because satellite internet may be particularly useful in sparsely populated regions.

Q2. The author suggests that the economics of satellite internet differ from those of terrestrial networks because satellite operators can:

A. eliminate fixed costs by distributing services across multiple countries.

B. serve geographically dispersed customers without constructing a dedicated terrestrial connection to every settlement.

C. provide unlimited bandwidth without making additional investments in infrastructure.

D. avoid recurring expenses once their initial constellation has been launched.

E. charge lower prices in every market because their marginal costs are always negligible.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: A satellite network can cover geographically separated locations using shared orbital infrastructure. This can make it more practical to serve scattered populations than constructing a separate terrestrial connection for every settlement.

• A is incorrect because sharing infrastructure does not eliminate fixed costs.

• C is incorrect because satellite capacity is finite.

• D is incorrect because satellites require ongoing maintenance and replacement.

• E is incorrect because the passage does not claim that satellite marginal costs are always negligible.

Q3. Which of the following assumptions underlies the argument that satellite internet can be particularly useful in sparsely populated regions?

A. Households in sparsely populated regions have greater purchasing power than urban households.

B. Terrestrial networks cannot provide reliable internet in areas with low population density.

C. Satellite capacity automatically increases in proportion to the geographical area covered.

D. Satellite operators can distribute some infrastructure costs across users without building a separate physical network for every location.

E. Government subsidies are always more effective when directed towards satellite operators.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: The economic advantage arises because the same satellite infrastructure can serve users across multiple geographical areas. This reduces the need for location-specific terrestrial construction. The passage does not suggest that satellite infrastructure is cost-free or that it guarantees affordability.

• A is unsupported because the passage says nothing about the relative purchasing power of rural and urban households.

• B is too absolute; terrestrial networks can work in sparsely populated regions.

• C is incorrect because satellite capacity is limited.

• E introduces a claim about government subsidies that is not required by the argument.

Q4. Which of the following is most consistent with the author's approach to public policy?

A. Different connectivity technologies should be evaluated according to local conditions, affordability and capacity requirements.

B. Governments should subsidise satellite terminals in all regions before considering terrestrial alternatives.

C. Private satellite operators should determine universal connectivity policy without government intervention.

D. Fibre-optic networks should be abandoned wherever satellite coverage becomes available.

E. The lowest initial installation cost should be the sole criterion for selecting a connectivity technology.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: The author recommends a technologically neutral approach. Satellite internet, fibre and fixed wireless each have different advantages depending on geography, affordability and capacity requirements. No single option is presented as universally optimal.

• B incorrectly prioritises satellite technology in every region.

• C contradicts the author's argument that public policy has a role.

• D assumes satellite coverage makes fibre unnecessary.

• E reduces a complex decision to a single factor, initial installation cost.

Q5. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument that satellite operators can gain an economic advantage by serving dispersed populations?

A. Some governments provide subsidies for internet access in rural areas.

B. Reusable rockets have reduced the cost of launching satellites.

C. Fibre-optic cables have high initial construction costs in mountainous regions.

D. Satellite terminals can be installed in locations far from existing telecommunications infrastructure.

E. The costs of maintaining and replenishing satellite capacity rise so sharply with each additional remote market that sharing infrastructure across those markets produces little or no cost advantage over local terrestrial networks.

Correct Answer: E

Explanation: The passage argues that satellite operators may gain an advantage by spreading certain infrastructure costs across geographically dispersed users. If the costs of maintaining and replenishing capacity rise so sharply that this advantage disappears, the economic argument is weakened directly.

• A may support affordability but does not undermine shared infrastructure.

• B supports the possibility of lower launch costs.

• C reinforces the difficulties of terrestrial construction.

• D describes a benefit of satellite internet rather than a weakness.

Passage 3: The Limits of a Connected Planet

The expansion of satellite internet raises a question that is as much political and environmental as it is technological: what happens when the infrastructure of global communication increasingly occupies Earth's orbital environment? The attraction of low Earth orbit is clear. Satellites positioned relatively close to the planet can provide lower-latency connections than traditional geostationary systems, while large constellations can extend coverage across areas where terrestrial networks are limited. Yet the very design choices that make these networks useful also introduce problems that cannot be resolved solely by improving transmission speeds.

One concern is orbital congestion. Unlike a terrestrial network, whose physical infrastructure occupies land and can often be expanded through additional construction, a satellite constellation operates within an environment shared by numerous public and private actors. As more satellites are launched, the number of objects requiring tracking and coordination increases. Satellites must avoid collisions with other spacecraft and debris, and operators need reliable information about their trajectories. Even if each individual satellite presents a small probability of collision, the aggregate risk may increase as the number of objects rises. The challenge is therefore not merely to make each spacecraft safe in isolation, but to manage interactions across the orbital environment.

The problem becomes more complicated because congestion is not necessarily distributed evenly. Satellites may cluster within particular orbital bands, while other regions remain less heavily used. Consequently, the total number of satellites is an incomplete measure of the pressure on orbital resources. Their altitude, inclination, operational lifetime and manoeuvrability also matter. Two constellations containing the same number of spacecraft may impose very different demands on collision-avoidance systems and future orbital access.

Astronomical observations present another concern. Satellites can reflect sunlight, leaving bright trails across telescope images. For astronomers studying faint objects, these trails may interfere with observations or require additional processing to remove. Operators can attempt to reduce reflectivity and modify satellite orientation, but such measures involve trade-offs and may not eliminate every form of interference. Radio astronomy can also be affected when satellite transmissions overlap with frequencies used for scientific observations. These problems illustrate a broader difficulty: infrastructure designed to improve one form of communication can complicate another form of information gathering.

It would nevertheless be misleading to treat these challenges as evidence that satellite internet should not expand. The relevant question is whether the benefits can be achieved while managing the resulting costs. Better satellite design, accurate tracking, coordinated manoeuvres, responsible disposal and international standards can reduce some risks. However, technical improvements alone may be insufficient if operators face inconsistent rules or weak incentives to account for the consequences of their activities.

The future of satellite connectivity will therefore depend partly on governance. Orbital space is a shared environment, but the commercial benefits of deploying a constellation accrue primarily to its operator and customers. When private decisions impose costs on astronomers, other satellite operators or future generations, the market price of connectivity may fail to reflect its full social cost. Effective policy must address this imbalance without assuming that every potential risk outweighs the benefits of broader internet access. The task is not to choose between connectivity and responsibility, but to determine the conditions under which they can coexist.

Questions

Q1. Which of the following best captures the author's position on the expansion of satellite internet?

A. Satellite internet should be prohibited because its environmental consequences cannot be mitigated.

B. The benefits of satellite connectivity justify unrestricted deployment, provided individual satellites are safe.

C. Orbital congestion is primarily a technical problem and therefore does not require international regulation.

D. Satellite internet can provide significant benefits, but its expansion requires technological safeguards and governance that account for wider social costs.

E. The interference caused by satellites makes terrestrial internet the only acceptable form of global connectivity.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: The author recognises the advantages of satellite internet while discussing orbital congestion, astronomical interference and the need for international standards. The conclusion advocates balancing connectivity with responsible management rather than rejecting satellite technology altogether.

• A is incorrect because the author does not recommend prohibiting satellite internet.

• B is incorrect because the author rejects unrestricted deployment.

• C is incorrect because the passage explicitly discusses governance.

• E is incorrect because the author does not consider terrestrial internet the only acceptable solution.

Q2. Why does the author argue that the total number of satellites is an incomplete measure of orbital congestion?

A. Satellites in different orbital bands cannot collide with one another under any circumstances.

B. Orbital pressure also depends on how satellites are distributed and on characteristics such as altitude, inclination and manoeuvrability.

C. Only satellites that have completed their operational lives contribute to congestion.

D. The number of satellites matters only when they belong to the same operator.

E. The effects of satellite congestion are determined exclusively by the quality of ground-based tracking systems.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The passage states that satellites may cluster in certain orbital bands while other regions remain less crowded. Altitude, inclination, operational lifetime and manoeuvrability also influence orbital pressure. Therefore, the total number of satellites alone cannot describe the full problem.

• A is incorrect because satellites in different orbital bands are not necessarily incapable of collision.

• C is incorrect because operational satellites can also contribute to congestion.

• D is incorrect because interactions can occur between different operators' spacecraft.

• E is incorrect because tracking systems are only one part of the problem.

Q3. Which of the following best describes the role of the astronomical examples in the passage?

A. They demonstrate that satellite internet has no meaningful benefits for scientific research.

B. They establish that optical interference is more dangerous than orbital collisions.

C. They illustrate how infrastructure that advances one activity can impose unintended costs on another activity.

D. They prove that changes in satellite orientation cannot reduce interference.

E. They suggest that astronomers are primarily responsible for regulating satellite operators.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Satellite internet improves connectivity, but reflected sunlight and radio transmissions can interfere with astronomical observations. These examples demonstrate that technological progress in one field can create unintended consequences for another.

• A is incorrect because the examples do not negate the benefits of satellite internet.

• B is incorrect because the passage does not rank astronomical interference above collisions.

• D is incorrect because the author acknowledges that satellite design changes can reduce some interference.

• E is incorrect because the passage does not assign primary responsibility to astronomers.

Q4. The author's argument about the market price of connectivity implies that:

A. private operators will always choose the most socially beneficial level of satellite deployment.

B. the commercial value of satellite internet is unrelated to its environmental consequences.

C. governments should prohibit commercial activities whenever they create costs for third parties.

D. technological improvements automatically ensure that all external costs are included in subscription prices.

E. the private costs considered by operators may not fully capture the costs imposed on other users of orbital space and society.

Correct Answer: E

Explanation: The author argues that satellite operators and their customers receive the primary commercial benefits, while other parties may bear costs such as astronomical interference or increased collision risks. These costs may not be fully reflected in the price users pay for connectivity.

This is an example of a negative externality: an activity imposes costs on third parties that are not fully accounted for in the market transaction.

• A is incorrect because private incentives do not automatically produce socially optimal outcomes.

• B is incorrect because the author explicitly considers environmental and orbital consequences.

• C is too absolute; the author does not argue that every activity creating third-party costs must be prohibited.

• D is incorrect because technological improvements do not automatically account for every external cost.

Q5. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the author's argument for international governance?

A. Satellite operators in different countries can adopt incompatible collision-avoidance practices, allowing the risks created by one operator to affect others.

B. Satellite internet provides connectivity to households without access to fibre-optic cables.

C. Some satellites are designed to reduce the amount of sunlight they reflect.

D. Certain orbital bands are less crowded than others.

E. Many users value low-latency internet connections more than traditional satellite services.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: The author argues that orbital space is shared and that private decisions can impose costs on other users. If operators adopt incompatible collision-avoidance practices, the actions of one operator can affect the safety of other spacecraft. This supports the need for international coordination and common standards.

• B supports the benefits of satellite connectivity but does not establish the need for international governance.

• C shows that technical improvements can reduce some risks, but does not establish that coordination is necessary.

• D is consistent with the passage's discussion of uneven orbital congestion but does not directly demonstrate the need for shared rules.

• E describes user preferences, not the need for international regulation.

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