Questions - Space
Answer the questions:
- What is the difference between the Earth and the Sun?
- What do you know about the Moon?
- Why is the Moon sometimes bright, and sometimes dark?
- Have you ever looked at the Moon or the stars through a telescope? If not, do you want to try?
- Do you love watching stars in the sky?
- Do you know any constellations? Which ones?
- Do you believe in star signs? What's your Zodiac?
- What do satellites do? How would our lives be different without them?
- Who was the first man in space? The first woman?
- Do you think it’s easy to be an astronaut? Why or why not?
- Do you want to try the feeling of weightlessness?
- What are good and bad things about spacefaring?
- Do you think that people will be able to travel in space in the distant future?
- Do you like to watch movies or read books about space and spacefaring? Why or why not?
- Do you think there is an intelligent life on other planets?
- What would you say to an alien if you met one?
- Would you like to go to the moon or travel into space? Why or why not?
- What small personal item would you take with you on a journey into space if you had a chance?
- Would you agree to help colonize a planet if you knew you couldn’t come back to earth?
- Should students learn more about space in school? Why or why not?
- Should the government spend more money on exploring worlds beyond our own? Why or why not?
- Do you think that space exploration can save human beings from extinction?
- What do you think of the idea that we could escape into space if (or when) the earth becomes uninhabitable for whatever reason?
1. What is the difference between the Earth and the Sun?
The Earth is a planet where life exists, while the Sun is a massive star that provides heat and light. Unlike the Earth, the Sun is made of gases like hydrogen and helium and generates energy through nuclear fusion.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- provides heat and light – gives or supplies essential resources.
- made of – composed of specific materials.
- nuclear fusion – a process in which nuclei combine to release energy.
Advanced words:
- planet, exist, hydrogen, helium, fusion.
2. What do you know about the Moon?
The Moon is the Earth’s only natural satellite. It affects tides on our planet and has a rocky surface with craters. Unlike Earth, it has no atmosphere, so there’s no weather or life there.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- affects tides – influences the rise and fall of ocean levels.
- natural satellite – a celestial object that orbits a planet.
Advanced words:
- craters, atmosphere, weather.
3. Why is the Moon sometimes bright, and sometimes dark?
The Moon appears bright because it reflects sunlight. It looks dark during a new moon phase when the Sun doesn’t illuminate the side facing Earth.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- reflects sunlight – bounces light back.
- doesn’t illuminate – doesn’t light up.
Advanced words:
- phase, illuminate, reflect.
4. Have you ever looked at the Moon or the stars through a telescope? If not, do you want to try?
I’ve never used a telescope, but I’d love to try! Seeing the craters on the Moon or the rings of Saturn would be fascinating.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- used a telescope – operated or looked through a telescope.
- would be fascinating – would feel amazing or captivating.
Advanced words:
- craters, rings, fascinating.
5. Do you love watching stars in the sky?
Yes, I enjoy stargazing because it’s peaceful and makes me think about how vast the universe is. It’s amazing to imagine what lies beyond our galaxy.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- stargazing – watching stars in the night sky.
- lies beyond – exists further than.
Advanced words:
- peaceful, vast, universe.
6. Do you know any constellations? Which ones?
I know a few, like Orion or the Big Dipper. They’re easy to spot, and each one has fascinating myths behind it.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- easy to spot – simple to identify or find.
- fascinating myths – captivating stories or legends.
Advanced words:
- constellations, Orion, the Big Dipper.
7. Do you believe in star signs? What's your Zodiac?
I don’t believe in astrology, but I find it interesting. My zodiac sign is Libra, which is said to represent balance and harmony.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- believe in – to trust or accept something as true.
- represent balance – symbolize stability or fairness.
Advanced words:
- astrology, harmony, zodiac.
8. What do satellites do? How would our lives be different without them?
Satellites are essential for communication, navigation, and weather forecasting. Without them, we wouldn’t have GPS or reliable internet, which would make daily life much harder.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- make life harder – create difficulties.
- weather forecasting – predicting weather conditions.
Advanced words:
- satellites, navigation, reliable.
9. Who was the first man in space? The first woman?
The first man in space was Yuri Gagarin from the Soviet Union in 1961. The first woman was Valentina Tereshkova, also from the Soviet Union, in 1963.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- was the first – achieved something before anyone else.
- from the Soviet Union – originating in a specific region or country.
Advanced words:
- achieved, spaceflight, historical.
10. Do you think it’s easy to be an astronaut? Why or why not?
No, it’s not easy because astronauts need to undergo rigorous training, adapt to weightlessness, and handle stressful situations. It’s a job that requires both physical and mental strength.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- undergo training – participate in a process to develop skills.
- adapt to – adjust to new conditions.
Advanced words:
- rigorous, weightlessness, stressful.
11. Do you want to try the feeling of weightlessness?
Absolutely! Experiencing weightlessness would be incredible. Floating freely without gravity must feel like being in a completely different world.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- try the feeling – attempt to experience something.
- floating freely – moving without restrictions, especially in the air or water.
Advanced words:
- weightlessness, incredible, gravity.
12. What are good and bad things about spacefaring?
Spacefaring allows us to explore the universe and develop new technologies, which is exciting. However, it’s extremely expensive and poses risks to astronauts, such as radiation and isolation.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- poses risks – creates potential dangers.
- explore the universe – investigate outer space.
Advanced words:
- spacefaring, technologies, radiation, isolation.
13. Do you think that people will be able to travel in space in the distant future?
Yes, I believe space tourism will become more common as technology advances. Perhaps one day, traveling to the Moon or Mars will be as easy as flying to another country.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- become more common – happen more frequently.
- as easy as – used to compare simplicity.
Advanced words:
- space tourism, technology advances, frequently.
14. Do you like to watch movies or read books about space and spacefaring? Why or why not?
Yes, I enjoy movies like Interstellar or The Martian because they make me think about the future of humanity and the mysteries of space.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- make me think about – cause reflection or deep thought.
- the mysteries of space – the unknown aspects of the universe.
Advanced words:
- humanity, mysteries, reflection.
15. Do you think there is intelligent life on other planets?
It’s possible. The universe is so vast that it’s hard to believe Earth is the only planet with intelligent life. However, we haven’t found any concrete evidence yet.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- it’s hard to believe – difficult to accept as true.
- concrete evidence – solid proof.
Advanced words:
- intelligent life, vast, evidence.
16. What would you say to an alien if you met one?
I’d probably say, ‘Welcome to Earth! Let’s learn from each other.’ Communication might be tricky, but it would be an incredible experience.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- learn from each other – exchange knowledge or skills.
- be tricky – be difficult or complicated.
Advanced words:
- communication, incredible experience, exchange.
17. Would you like to go to the Moon or travel into space? Why or why not?
I would love to travel into space! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Earth from above and experience something only a few people have done.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- once-in-a-lifetime – a unique and rare opportunity.
- see Earth from above – observe the planet from space.
Advanced words:
- opportunity, experience, observe.
18. What small personal item would you take with you on a journey into space if you had a chance?
I’d take a photo of my family. It would remind me of home and keep me emotionally connected during such an extraordinary adventure.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- remind me of – make me remember.
- emotionally connected – feeling close on an emotional level.
Advanced words:
- extraordinary, adventure, emotionally.
19. Would you agree to help colonize a planet if you knew you couldn’t come back to Earth?
That would be a tough decision. Colonizing a planet would be a historic achievement, but leaving Earth forever would be emotionally challenging.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- a tough decision – a difficult choice.
- leaving Earth forever – permanently departing from the planet.
Advanced words:
- colonizing, achievement, historic.
20. Should students learn more about space in school? Why or why not?
Yes, learning about space can inspire students and encourage innovation. It also helps us understand our planet better and prepares future scientists for space exploration.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- encourage innovation – motivate creative thinking.
- prepare for – get ready for something.
Advanced words:
- inspire, exploration, innovation.
21. Should the government spend more money on exploring worlds beyond our own? Why or why not?
Definitely. Space exploration leads to technological advancements and helps us address challenges like climate change. However, it’s important to balance spending with solving issues on Earth.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- leads to – results in.
- balance spending – allocate money wisely.
Advanced words:
- advancements, climate change, allocate.
22. Do you think that space exploration can save human beings from extinction?
Potentially, yes. Colonizing other planets could serve as a backup plan if Earth becomes uninhabitable due to disasters or resource depletion.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- serve as a backup plan – act as an alternative option.
- resource depletion – using up natural resources completely.
Advanced words:
- extinction, colonizing, uninhabitable.
23. What do you think of the idea that we could escape into space if (or when) the Earth becomes uninhabitable for whatever reason?
I think it’s an ambitious idea, but it shouldn’t replace efforts to protect Earth. Space colonization might be necessary, but preserving our home planet should always be the priority.
Phrasal verbs/idioms:
- replace efforts – take the place of ongoing actions.
- preserve our home planet – keep Earth safe and sustainable.
Advanced words:
- ambitious, colonization, priority.
