Graduate students Delia Marcus and Pedro Salazar explain that astronomy is the study of space and the physical universe, and it may be challenging to understand its appeal to young scientists. Marcus remarks, "What other branch of science gives you the chance to visualize the origins of the universe?" Salazar concurs, "We astronomers are at the forefront of understanding the very mechanisms that make the cosmos possible." To confirm their points, Marcus and Salazar interviewed several experts in the field, including author J.D. Matthews and astrophysicist Michael Davies, who agree with their assessment. Matthews comments, "Understanding how our own solar system works is just one piece of the puzzle. There are countless other solar systems like ours across the universe." Davies further elaborates, "This begs the question, when—not will—we find a similarly habitable planet like our own?"
1. optimistic
2. assertive
3. worried
4. formal
1 answer
The tone of the last sentence of the passage, spoken by astrophysicist Michael Davies, can be described as optimistic. He expresses a positive and hopeful outlook regarding the possibility of finding a habitable planet similar to Earth, indicated by the phrase "when—not will—we find a similarly habitable planet like our own?" This implies confidence in future discoveries. Therefore, the correct answer is:
