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 …
This type of history is more difficult for me because I'm very bad at listening
No, I don't think people will live on Mars. Because the resources need for life don't exist on Mars like Oxygen.
Amazing! I'm both learning and amusing myself.
Probably, because these both planets kind a have the same thing that can support human live. But not in this days of course, maybe one day
both planets looks fine its a shame that mars is far away
In light of the low temperature on Mars, the low gravity and the absence of air and water, I don't think it would be possible for the humans to live there. However, maybe future technological advances will enable humans to live there. I hope so. Because Earth is dying actually.
No I don't think that people will live on Mars, because it's too much work for that harsh environment.
I think there a lot of better places to try.
Scientists will explore Mars in order to know if it is possible to live there, however, I think it would be much better if we took care our beautiful planet instead.
I don't think people can live on Mars. There are a few reasons for this.
First of all, the atmosphere on Mars is mostly carbon dioxide. People can live on Earth because there is enough oxygen on Earth. Also, Mars is much colder than Earth. It's about minus 55 degrees, so it's like an ice world. In addition, there is not enough liquid water in Mars. People absolutely need water to drink, grow food, and clean their body. Therefore, it would be very difficult for people to survive in Mars.
Hello,
I think people won't live in Mars, because humano don't have power to do this. Even though they tray, they can't do it.