Space exploration — online lesson (Intermediate+)

Warming-up

How many feature films about space do you know? What usually happens in those films? What’s your favorite? What is it about?

Activity 1

A. Describe the pictures using the words from the box:

the force of gravity — the solar system — space/orbital station — galaxy — satellite — altitude — go into orbit — constellation — to be 40 light-years away — the Big Bang — eclipse — spacesuit — rocket

B. Do the quiz:

How much do you know about space?

1. What are the planets in the solar system?

2. What is the name of the 2nd biggest planet in our solar system?

3. Who was the first person to walk on the moon?

4. What is the name of the force holding us to the Earth?

5. Have human beings ever set foot on Mars?

6. What is the name of a place that uses telescopes and other scientific equipment to research space and astronomy?

7. Earth is located in which galaxy?

8. What is the name of the first satellite sent into space?

9. Does the sun orbit the Earth?

10. How far is 1 light year?

[spoiler title=’KEY’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]1. Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto; 2.  Saturn; 3.  Neil Armstrong; 4. gravity; 5.  no; 6. an observatory; 7. the Milky Way Galaxy; 8. Sputnik; 9. no; 10. 9.5 billion km.  [/spoiler]

C. Discuss:

  • Do you know any recent space exploration discoveries? What are they? How important are they for mankind?
  • Is travelling in space safe or dangerous? Why?
  • Do you think there is life on other planets?
  • Do you like to watch movies about space? Why?/Why not?
  • What are good things about space exploration? What about bad ones?
  • The names of the planets and other space objects are commonly used as trademarks and brand names of the goods. Can you think of any examples?

 

 

Activity 2

A. How do you think, can a human survive on Mars with/without special equipment? For how long? What are the possible dangers? Read the article and check your ideas:

The average annual temperature on Mars is -64°F. At its hottest, Mars could hit 80°F near the equator in the middle of the day. In the Martian winter, however, temperatures could fall to -199°F. Any humans on Mars would have to contend with the lack of oxygen — only about 0.1% compared to Earth’s 20% — the very cold surface temperatures, the ubiquitous and irritating dust, the intense UV radiation, surface chemicals and oxidants. And all this before they started looking for food and water!

B. Watch the film trailer “The Martian” about the man who had to survive on Mars and note the information about the following things:

  • how he got to Mars and why he was alone there
  • contact with the Earth
  • challenges he faced
  • what he did to survive

C. Discuss the questions:

  1. What’s the ending of the film? Will the main character survive?
  2. How would you feel and what would you do if you found yourself at the same situation as Mark?
  3. Will humans be able to live on Mars or other planet one day? When?
  4. Would you like to live on another planet?

Activity 3

A. Read the sentences and decide what do words in bold mean?

1.When we’re young we think we can do everything and only the sky is the limit.

  1. to be unrealistic about the everyday world
  2. something that is exceptional
  3. the possibilities are endless

2. Their concert was out of this world, I can’t wait to tell you about it.

  1. something that is exceptional
  2. to be extremely happy
  3. to be unrealistic about the everyday world

3. He thinks he’ll learn how to play the piano in four weeks. He definitely has his head in the clouds.

  1. the possibilities are endless
  2. behave differently from another people
  3. to be unrealistic about the everyday world

4. What he says doesn’t always make much sense. He seems like living on another planet.

  1. to be practical and rational
  2. behave differently from another people
  3. to be extremely happy

5. Kids will be over the moon if they go to Disney theme park.

  1. something that is exceptional
  2. to be extremely happy
  3. behave differently from another people

6. He is very down to earth at problems solving, he always knows what to do.

  1. to be unrealistic about the everyday world
  2. behave differently from another people
  3. to be practical and rational
[spoiler title=’KEY’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]1-с; 2-a; 3-c; 4-b; 5-b; 6-c;  [/spoiler]

B. Complete the sentences with the idioms from the previous exercise:

  1. Steven is an artist and a real dreamer, but luckily his wife Sarah is _______________, so she takes care of their day-to-day lives.
  2. Janette must ________________________ if she thinks her insurance company is going to pay the full cost of rebuilding and refurnishing her house.
  3. The bride looks so beautiful and her dress is _____________________.
  4. We were _________________ when we moved to a cottage from a dorm.
  5. During the war, the losses can be crucial, actually, ___________________.
  6. She’s been cheating on him for years, but he’s ______________________ and doesn’t notice anything.
[spoiler title=’KEY’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]1-down to earth; 2-has her head in clouds; 3-out of this world; 4-over the moon; 5-the sky is the limit; 6-living on another planet;  [/spoiler]

C. Answer the questions:

  1. Do you know anyone who seems to live on another planet?
  2. Can you remember the last time when you felt over the moon?
  3. Tell about a film or event you consider out of this world.
  4. Do you sometimes have head in the clouds or you’re mostly down to earth?

Vocabulary:

  • the force of gravity — сила тяжения
  • the solar system — солнечная система
  • space/orbital station — космическая/орбитальная станция
  • galaxy — галактика
  • satellite — спутник
  • altitude — высота
  • go into orbit — выйти на орбиту
  • constellation — созвездие
  • to be 40 light-years away — находиться на расстоянии 40 световых лет
  • the Big Bang — большой взрыв
  • eclipse — затмение
  • spacesuit — скафандр
  • rocket — ракета
  • set foot — ступать
  • orbit — 1. орбита; 2. обращаться по орбите
  • light year — световой год
  • mankind — человечество
  • contend with — иметь дело с … , бороться с …
  • ubiquitous — вездесущий

Автор урока: Юлия ГУСЕВА

 

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