04 03 language and culture u2a

Module

2A

Outer Space

The Space Race was a competition between
the Soviet Union and the United States
to show their superiority in technological
developments by exploring outer space.
After World War II, both nations started
building their own long-range weapon
forces. Soon after that, scientists realised
that rockets could be used to go into space.
The two teams had scientists and engineers
who had contributed to the creation of
rockets, used as weapons during the war.
In 1957, the US government informed that
they would launch satellites the following
year. However, the Soviets were faster. On
October 4, 1957, they successfully launched
the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth,
Sputnik 1. The Americans, however, could
only achieve their goal three months later,
when they launched Explorer 1. This defeat
led to the creation of the NASA, the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration. But
this was just the beginning of the race.
The Soviets were also the first to transport
animals when satellite Sputnik 2 carried
a dog, Laika, the first animal ever sent to

outer space. Both nations continued their

Apollo 1

space explorations by sending automated
spacecrafts with animals. In 1959, the
Soviets maintained their leadership position
when Luna 1 flew near the Moon. Moreover,
a Soviet cosmonaut became the first man
in space in 1961, followed by an American
with a difference of twenty-three days.
That very same year, US president John F.
Kennedy expressed his wish to send a man
to the Moon before the end of the decade.
There were several phases and previous
flights. During this period, a tragedy also
occurred. A fire destroyed a command
module and killed the crew of Apollo 1, in
1967. And it was eventually in 1969 that
Apollo 11 successfully landed on the Moon.
This was a great triumph for the Americans,
who accomplished the task set eight years
before and could finally be the first in the
race.
The Space Race contributed to continuous
technological and scientific evolution. After
the Soviet Union’s dissolution, Russia and
the US started working together to improve
technology and continue exploring the outer
space.

Luna 1

English Toolkit 1 - Language & Culture

Sputnik 1

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

The Space Race


Module

2A
Activities
1Find the mistake and write the correct sentence.
aThe Soviets launched their first satellite in 1958.

bThe US created the NASA to work on their first satellite.

c The US never sent animals to space.

dThe craft Luna 1 landed on the Moon.

eThe Americans could never defeat the Soviets in the Space Race.

2Complete the sentences using comparatives.
aSputnik 1 was
(small) than Explorer 1.

b The Soviets were
(fast) than the Americans in the
Space Race.
cThe first Soviet man in space stayed
(long) than the
first American.
d Sputnik 2 carried a
(heavy) payload than Sputnik 1.

3Put the letters in order to form a verb in the infinitive.
Then look for its irregular past form in the text.
aedla:

Past form:

banc:

Past form:

c cmoebe:

Past form:

dlyf:

Past form:

evhea:

Past form:

4Design a poster that includes a timeline showing
the most important events and developments in the
Space Race. You can look for more information and
add illustrations.

English Toolkit 1 - Language & Culture

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011