Speaking and listening – Pre-intermediate to Upper-intermediate

Let’s talk about SPACE

Conversation cards

When do you think people will Name as many planets as you can What is a satellite?
visit Mars? in English. What are they used for?
What do you think they will find Draw them in the correct How would life be different
there? position to the sun. without them?

Do you think there is other life Do you think we will ever

in the universe? What kind of
life? What would aliens look like?
Draw them.
Have you ever looked through a
communicate with intelligent
telescope?
aliens? When and how will this
What did you see?
happen?

Will the Earth ever be visited by

Should we try to discover other Would it be a good idea to build
aliens? What would their space
planets and life forms? a permanent base on the moon?
ships look like?
Why or why not? Why or why not?
Draw a space ship.

Do you think people will ever How and when was the universe
Would you like to be an
take holidays in space? created?
astronaut?
Describe how you think this will What was there before it
Explain why or why not.
work. existed? Discuss.

How big is the universe?

What is the speed of light? What is your favourite sci-fi
How long would it take to travel
How is distance measured in the movie or TV show?
to another galaxy?
universe? Tell the plot.
Research and discuss.

Do you think governments spend What do you think the odds are Should money be spent on space
too much or too little on space of Earth being hit by a meteor? programmes while there is still
exploration? Should we develop protection so much poverty on Earth?
Explain your view. systems for this possibility? Explain your point of view.

‘Space is to place as eternity is to

Match 1 time.’
2 3
alien
astronaut ‘That intelligent creatures exist in
comet outer space is proven by the fact
galaxy 6 that they have not contacted us.’

meteor
5 ‘As long as we are a single-planet
moon base 4
species, we are vulnerable to
planet extinction by a planet-wide
rocket launch 8 9 catastrophe, natural or self-induced.
satellite Once we become a multi-planet
7
space shuttle species, our chances to live long and
space station prosper will take a huge leap
star skyward.’

Do you agree? Discuss.

10 11 12 (What are possible catastrophes?)