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 …
Got 6/8 in Task 1
Got 100% in Task 2
Good experience
A little difficult, but I like it!
It's hard to answer this question. In the current situation, we can't live in Mars. But in the future, may be we live in Mars because of the technological improvements. Technology are improved day by day. That's my answer.
I think is possible, but is very expensive!
preparation 7/7
task1 6/6
task2 5/8
thats right amazing results about my devlopment, im so proud myself
May be! With this new technology and artificial intelligence everything is possible but in the other hand I think there are no life-sustaining conditions on planet Mars.
I don't think that people can live in Mars planet because the information isn't enough and it may be wrong because the is Science miracle negates that people went to space .
Current days, I gues the info about the possibility to support human life in mars it's almost impossible, the conditions aren't the same, probably in the future with a better tools and infraestructure this thinking could be possible, but these days simply not.
I think that one day people will be able to live on Mars. Science is advancing, and it is possible to find different solutions to the various challenges of living on Mars.