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 the life on march isn't possible
On October 9 1903, The New York Time published an editorial, predicting "Man won't fly for a million years" and yet just 69 days later the Wright Brothers proved it wrong.
It is ironic, but we shouldn't doubt ourselves especially when it comes to technology.
And I do agree that it would be hard to sustain human life on mars but I still believe that we can and will be able to eventually.
Well, I think people can’t live on Mars because of the different environment. So probably it will take a lot of time to learn about living there and also it will take lots of time to adapt to the new conditions.
Student 2:said: 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.
Actually,70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water,so it doesn't mean Earth is 70 per cent water. Don't ask me why
I think they will return alive and have already made many discoveries.
Yes, I think one day humans will live on Mars because technology is improving rapidly and there is so much competition between superpowers.
Do you think people will live on Mars one day?
I think people may live on Mars one day, but only in small colonies. Life would be very difficult because of the environment, so it will take many years before it becomes possible.
Life on Mars has not yet been confirmed, but scientific evidence suggests that in the distant past the planet may have had conditions suitable for simple microorganisms. Research from missions such as Mars Rover Perseverance shows signs of ancient water, organic molecules, and former lakes.
However, modern Mars has very harsh conditions: a thin atmosphere, high radiation levels, and extremely low temperatures, which make survival on the surface very difficult. Therefore, if life exists today, it is most likely in the form of microorganisms hidden beneath the surface, where conditions are more stable.
In conclusion, Mars remains one of the most promising places to search for extraterrestrial life, but there is still no definitive proof that life exists there.
Do you think people will live on Mars one day?
I disagree. People might not live on Mars easily as a human-being, the Earth is adapting to support to human-beings, I think that on Mars maybe there live another kind of beings similar like on Earth.
i agree with you i don't think humans will live on Mars anytime soon