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 believe that people will be able to live on Mars in the future. Science is developing rapidly, and I think we will make many breakthroughs in space technology. For example, we may live in special glass houses that can protect us from the harsh environment on Mars. Moreover, humans are very good at adapting to different environments, just as our ancestors did in the past. Therefore, I believe living on Mars could become a reality, and I hope I can experience it one day.
Due to the lack of oxygen and water it's not possible for the people to live on Mars.
Thanks for the lesson. Maybe people will travel to the Mars for tourism in the future, but not to live in.
Maybe One day Human can live in Marsh if water available
I believe that the Mars may not has life and in the future it cannot has the life, because the Mars gravity much more than the Earth is already make live there impossible, also the Mars does not has the air almost what makes life there also impossible. The Earth is located away from the Sun in a place where we can live, but the Mars is located so far away from that's a place.
In my view live in the Mars will be impossible.
I think human may live in Mars, not very soon. As Mars used to have water, it may be a critical point to support human lives and grow crops.
I think it might be possible for people to live on Mars in the future. Especially if humans can work with the nitrogen that has frozen the water there.
in my opinion we cannot live on mars due to there is not an easy life fundemantal like tempreture and gravity so it is better to stay on our planet and protect it well
No. I don’t think so. Basically from the lesson, Mars don’t have air and probably frozen.
at the moment it's sound impossible , but maybe in far future Scientists can invent equipment that can help humans live in mars