LISTENING-SPEAKING 6

HANDOUT 5.4 (Week 8)

PART 2 & 3: (Space and Planets)

PART 2: Sample tasks

Sample task 1:

Describe a story about space (real or fictional) that you have read or
watched.

You should say:

● when you read or saw the story

● what happened in the story

● whether the story has any significance today

and explain how you felt about reading or watching this story.

Sample task 2:

Describe a lesson about space that you find interesting.

You should say:

● when you took the lesson

● who taught you the lesson

● what you learned

and explain why you found the lesson interesting

Useful vocabulary:

- Space shuttle

- Carbon footprint

- Examine specimen

- Technological breakthroughs

- Extraterrestrial life

- The quest for a new homeland

- Make space travel commercially available

- Satellite technology

- The conquest of space

- Discover the mysteries of the universe

- Pour money into space research

- The space race

- Launch a space rocket

- Interstellar beings

- Space voyages

- Endure hardships and discomforts

PART 3:

Questions you may be asked

1. Are films about planets and the solar system popular in your country?

2. Do you believe aliens exist? Why/Why not?

3. Do people in your country learn about space at school?

4. Do you think astrology should be taught in schools?

 5. Does information about the stars and planets help children to develop their
imagination?

6. Do you think that space exploration is a waste of money?

7. Have people’s opinions regarding space exploration changed compared to those of

the past?

8. What do you think are the benefits of learning about the universe?

9. How can we encourage children to learn more about space?

10. Do you think it is necessary to find another planet to live on?

11. How do you think space exploration will change our society?

12. Do you think that space travel will become as common as air travel in the future?

13. Do you think that women are more interested in space than men?

14. Are astrologers well-paid in your country?

15. What kind of people do you think would make good astronauts?

16. Do you think it’s worthwhile looking for life on other planets?

1. Are films about planets and the solar system popular in your country?

Possible answer:

No, not at all. From my observation, there is more of a thirst for horror and action movies
rather than those that are in the sci-fi genre. I think the idea of life in space is very far-
fetched and people are very much skeptical about these ideas in my country. Having said
that, I myself have a genuine interest in movies related to the solar system and some of
my favorites have to be Interstellar and the Martian.

➣ Your answer:

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2. Do people in your country learn about space at school?

Possible answer:

I am pretty sure I can recall one or two lessons about the solar system and stars.
However, it’s definitely not the priority list in our education system, which to be honest
with you, I find a huge shame. Frankly speaking, the education system in Vietnam
doesn’t seem to have room for more stimulating topics to arouse our interests in the
universe and what surrounds us. As a consequence, our knowledge about space is very
limited/ scarce.

➣ Your answer:

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3. Does information about the stars and planets help children to develop their
imagination?

Possible answer:
Yes, by all means. By filling children’s brains with knowledge on the universe, it will
absolutely cultivate their curiosity and foster their imagination. Not only this, it may
educate them on how important it is to be resourceful. Therefore, I truly believe that if the
education system could raise their awareness about the solar system, it would have a very
beneficial impact on shrinking the carbon footprint in the future years to come.

➣ Your answer:

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4. Do you think that space exploration is a waste of money?

Possible answer:

Well, I can definitely say I disagree here. As I am sure you are aware, our own planet
now is on the brink of extinction. The Amazon forest fire should be a wake up call for us
to really take a step back and look at how we are all treating this wonderful planet.
Therefore, it’s time to invest more money into finding an alternative for the fuel we burn
as energy, and space might be the answer. That’s why, every year Nasa still takes
specimens from many of the planets in our solar system, to search for alternative places
to shelter if it all goes wrong.

➣ Your answer:

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5. Do you think it’s worthwhile looking for life on other planets?

Possible answer:

No, I really don’t think that it’s worthwhile looking for life on other planets. Lots of time,
energy, and money is spent on this pointless project, when there are clearly many issues
on Earth that need to be resolved first. There may well be aliens in another galaxy, but we
have nothing to gain from contacting them because we have no hope of ever reaching
them. Even reaching the edge of our own solar system would take thousands of years.
Instead, we ought to reverse climate change and end poverty, both of which are
ultimately far more achievable goals than communicating with extraterrestrials.

➣ Your answer:

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