A student discussion
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Teacher: So you've got a few minutes to discuss with your partner.
Student 1: So, as far as I know, the main similarity between Mars and Earth is that they can both support human life.
Student 2: Yeah, but do we know that's actually true? I mean, Mars is much colder than Earth, isn't it? It says here it's about minus 55 degrees most of the time, whereas on Earth only places like Antarctica get that cold.
Student 1: True. Well then, I suppose you could say both planets are a similar distance from the Sun?
Student 2: No way! Mars is much further away! It says here it's about 228 million kilometres, while Earth is about 150 million.
Student 1: Yes, but in space that's not that far. Jupiter is, like, almost 780 million kilometres. That's why we use astronomical units when we talk about distances in space. Earth is 1 astronomical unit from the Sun and Mars is 1.3. The difference doesn't sound so big when you look at it that way.
Student 2: I see what you mean. Jupiter is 5.2 astronomical units so I guess you're right. What other similarities are there between the two planets?
Student 1: Let's see … not the colour, obviously!
Student 2: Yeah! Earth is called the blue planet and Mars is called the red planet for pretty obvious reasons!
Student 1: Their sizes are pretty different. Mars is about half the size of Earth.
Student 2: What about this? It looks like the days on both planets are almost the same length. Earth's day is 24 hours but Mars's is about half an hour longer.
Student 1: You're right. OK, any other things they both share?
Student 2: I suppose you could say they have water in common.
Student 1: Could you? How?
Student 2: Well, Earth is 70 per cent water and Mars probably had huge oceans in the past. It's just that most of the water there now is probably frozen.
Student 1: Ah, I see. I don't think we can say the air is the same, though. Most of Earth's air is nitrogen and oxygen, but Mars …?
Student 2: Mars doesn't really have air, not compared with Earth. It's got about one per cent as much air as Earth.
Student 1: Right, and it's mostly carbon dioxide.
Student 2: Gravity is another difference. I didn't know this, but Mars has higher gravity than the Moon. But it's much less than on Earth, of course.
Student 1: Oh, yes. It says Mars has about 38 per cent of Earth's gravity.
Teacher: OK, let's see what you've found …
I think we could live on Mars, but it won’t happen soon because our technology isn’t advanced enough yet. Maybe around the year 2100, people will invent technologies that will allow us to breathe on Mars and make it suitable for life. Or they will invent special domes where people will be able to live.
The Artemis II mission is an important step in returning humans to the Moon. It will be the first crewed flight in the Artemis program, where astronauts will fly around the Moon and come back to Earth. This mission is important because it tests new technologies and prepares for future landings. It also inspires people and shows that space exploration is still moving forward.
Life on Mars is very different from life on Earth. Mars is much colder and there is almost no air to breathe. There is no liquid water on the surface, which is very important for life. However, scientists think that people might create special habitats on Mars. To my mind in 100 years people will probably live on Mars.
i think people will leave in Mars, if we will create all the necessary living conditions there. I'm sure the next generation can make oxygen there. Of course, this will not happen soon and our generation will not live to see it.
I believe humans will live on Mars one day, but it won’t be easy. The harsh environment and the long distance from Earth are huge problems. We would need advanced technology to breathe and grow food there. However, with companies like SpaceX working on it, leaving on Mars seems like a matter of time!
Comparing the two planets reveals a mix of shared traits and harsh contrasts. Both worlds rotate at nearly the same speed and orbit the same star, with evidence suggesting that water once flowed across the Martian surface just as it does on Earth today. Yet, the physical realities diverge sharply beyond these points. Mars is a diminutive, freezing world situated much further into space, trapped under a ghostly layer of carbon dioxide.
With gravity at roughly one-third of our own and a lack of breathable air, the Red Planet remains a lethal environment. In summary, while it is technically our closest cosmic match, the sheer hostility of the Martian landscape means humans could never survive there without constant, high-tech shielding.
Do you think people will live on Mars one day?
I'm not sure. Because, today, Earth keeps more life in reason of the oxygen, air and water. Also, humans can practice agriculture for his foods. We have more important resources for humans needs.
Yes, I do, I think that humans can support air or oxygen outside the Earth, one day it will be a challenge for everybody because there's no evidence about that planet so far. We know that there's a possibility of living on that planet.
As a geology student, I think it’s unlikely that humans will one day be able to live on Mars. To be honest, life is a rare phenomenon, and the conditions required for it to exist are very specific. Even now, at least
I think we can live on Mars for a day with external oxygen support. Though Mar has water, but it is frozen which cannot be used for dinking.