Based on the reading passage about the TRAPPIST exoplanet system and preconditions for life, this comprehension question asks you to identify the country in which the telescope named TRAPPIST, used for the initial discovery of three planets, is located.

Introduction / Context:
This question is a reading comprehension item based on a passage describing the discovery of seven Earth size exoplanets in the TRAPPIST system. The passage explains how astronomers identified these planets, why they are important for the search for life, and which instruments were used to detect them. Among the details mentioned is the name of the telescope and its location. The exam tests your ability to pick out a specific factual detail from the passage, namely the country where the telescope called TRAPPIST is based. Such questions reward careful reading and accurate recall rather than complicated reasoning.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The passage refers to an exoplanet system called TRAPPIST 1.
• It states that the initial discovery of three planets was made using a telescope called Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope.
• The passage further mentions that this telescope is based in a specific country in South America.
• Four country options are given, and one extra option has been added here for completeness.
• We assume the reader has read the passage carefully before attempting the question.

Concept / Approach:
The strategy for this type of question is straightforward location of information. Identify the sentence in the passage that talks about the telescope TRAPPIST and note the phrase that tells you where it is based. Once you have located that sentence, you simply match the mentioned country with the options provided. There is no need to infer or interpret beyond what is clearly stated. However, you must resist confusing this detail with other astronomical facilities or with countries that are often mentioned in astronomy news, such as the United States or European nations. Attention to the exact wording of the passage is crucial.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, consider whether any of the other listed countries are mentioned in the passage. Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, and Peru are not associated with the TRAPPIST telescope in the text. The passage specifically connects the term Chile based with Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope. Because reading comprehension questions are based on the exact content of the passage, answers that are not explicitly supported by the text must be rejected. Even if you know from external knowledge that Chile hosts many important observatories, the deciding factor in this exam question is the explicit mention in the passage, which aligns with option C, Chile.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Venezuela is incorrect because the passage does not state that TRAPPIST is located there, and this country is not associated with the telescope in the description. Argentina is also wrong for the same reason; it appears only as a distractor and has no connection to the instrument mentioned. Mexico, despite having its own observatories, is not linked to the TRAPPIST telescope in the text. Peru is frequently involved in astronomical observations but is not named in the passage. Since none of these countries are explicitly stated as the base of the telescope, they cannot be correct choices.

Common Pitfalls:
One common error is answering based on general knowledge instead of the passage. A candidate might know that several observatories are situated in different South American countries and guess randomly instead of rereading the relevant line. Another pitfall is confusing TRAPPIST with other instruments or projects that may be based in different nations, leading to misremembered details. To avoid such mistakes, always return to the exact wording in the passage for factual questions and underline the key phrase that answers the question directly. Good exam practice includes marking important proper nouns, such as names of telescopes and countries, while reading.

Final Answer:
The TRAPPIST telescope described in the passage is based in Chile.