A student discussion

A student discussion

Listen to two students comparing Mars and Earth to practise and improve your listening skills.

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 …

Discussion

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Average: 4.3 (210 votes)
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Submitted by zizo2006 on Mon, 09/10/2023 - 23:39

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Really I don't think it will happen in the future. because there are a lot of problematics. First of all the earth is dying and we can not focus on fixing it or improving the technology to get there. second in my opinion other planets are created for the space adornmation and meditate for the Greatness of the Creator, god.

Submitted by ogarza on Mon, 09/10/2023 - 16:13

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i think human life can survive en mars

Submitted by ALNABHAN on Sat, 07/10/2023 - 17:46

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No, I do not think that

Submitted by elahemehrabani1983 on Sat, 07/10/2023 - 05:39

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for one day, I think it is possible but its difficult and problematic. in Mars water is frozen, we need heat! but human with technology progress everything is possible just take more time.

Submitted by maurobros on Fri, 06/10/2023 - 11:08

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As far as I know, The Sun system has a lot of years from its beginning and the planets further away form sun might have some special elements like weather and oxygen, but it isn't enough for the human life, I the special case of Mars temp, oxygen, water, etc are vital resources needed by the life whereas Earth have every thing needed, so might be difficult to set up the same environment over there in time and warranty humans to live and stay there.

Submitted by Samiribrahim on Sat, 30/09/2023 - 20:21

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No, Absolutely not.

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Submitted by 81Joy on Sun, 24/09/2023 - 07:28

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I think what is reason people choose live on Mars ? There is not dioxide ,though there is water frozen.what is Mars can support hunman life?

Submitted by monamar on Mon, 18/09/2023 - 22:02

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I think human never can live on Mars, the climate is very cold furthermore there is no Oxogen that need to survive.

Submitted by alia1422 on Sun, 17/09/2023 - 17:40

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I think in future we will can go to Mars just to spend a trip not to be there whole our life.

Submitted by kitalphar on Wed, 13/09/2023 - 16:34

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No, I don't think that :'D