[2026] PTE Academic Reading - Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

The Fermi Paradox is the apparent contradiction between the high probability of extraterrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence for, or contact with, such civilizations.Named after physicist Enrico Fermi, the paradox arises from the estimation that there are billions of stars in our galaxy similar to the Sun, many of which likely harbor Earth-like planets. Given the age of the Milky Way, some of these civilizations should have developed advanced technology and the capability for interstellar travel millions of years ago.However, despite decades of searching through projects like SETI, we have yet to find any confirmed signals or physical artifacts from an alien source. Several hypotheses have been proposed to resolve this mystery, one being the 'Great Filter' theory.This theory suggests that there is a significant evolutionary hurdle that prevents civilizations from becoming space-faring or surviving long-term. Another possibility is the 'Zoo Hypothesis,' which posits that advanced aliens are intentionally avoiding contact to observe humanity without interference.Additionally, some scientists argue that the sheer scale of the universe and the limitations of the speed of light make communication across vast distances highly impractical. Others suggest that we are simply looking for the wrong types of signals, as advanced civilizations might use communication technologies far beyond our current understanding.While the paradox remains unsolved, it continues to drive research into astrobiology and the search for habitable exoplanets.