English C2 CPE

(0) THE word 'satellite' is a (1) ............ name today. It sounds very familiar to all of us irrespective (2) ............ our educational and professional background. It is no longer the prerogative of a few select nations and is not a topic of research and discussion that is (3) ............ to the premises of big academic institutes and research organizations. Today, it is not only one of the main subjects taught at undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate level; it is the (4) ............ and butter for a large percentage of electronics, communications and IT professionals. Although mankind is yet to travel (5) ............ the moon, satellites have crossed the solar system to investigate all planets. These satellites for astrophysical applications have giant telescopes on board and have sent data that has (6) ............ to many new discoveries, (7) ............ new light on the universe. It is for this reason that almost all developed nations including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Germany, Russia and major developing countries like India have full (8) ............ and heavily funded space programmes, managed by organizations with massive scientific and technical manpower and infrastructure.