08 03 technology u2a

Module

2A

Outer Space
Humanity in Space

Is space travel really necessary?
YES

Every shuttle launch costs about $450 million.
The estimated total cost of the international
space station is about $125 billion.
With so many unmet needs on Earth, it is
absurd to spend so much money on space
travel.
Exploring space and colonising other planets
is an option, not a real need.

Exploring space and colonising other planets
is not an option. It is a necessity.
The space shuttle exists. So let’s use it.
The international space station represents
the first truly international endeavour.
It will promote global co-operation and
understanding.
Space tourism will promote economic
development.

Few people will pay for a trip into space.
Advances in space technology have effects

on Earth technology; for example, ergonomic
solutions for people who do repetitive work.

Activities
1True (T) or false (F)?
a The development in space technology brings benefits for
technology in general.
b Space tourism will promote economic development thanks to its
very high prices.
c The cost of space travel is too high.
d A reusable orbital rocket may transport men more cheaply.
English Toolkit 1 - Technology

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

NO


Module

2A
2Form the words and complete the paragraph below.
a
b
c
d

e epxveensi: e
f trass: s
g orsatntoitnpra: t

ruaeselb: r
psaec: s
tnxeolpriao: e
gmrausent: a

rockets may some day be a form of
future, men will reach the
. However,
very slow and very
today. There are different
for and against galactic
.

. In the
travel is

3Find the opposites in the text.
d national:
e unmanned:
f a lot of:
Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

a last:
b low:
c problems:

4Write the names of the planets.

Complete the sentences using these words.

Earth

a
b
c
d
e

solar

There are nine
The
The
The
There isn’t any

Moon

in the

planets

Sun

air

system.

is a star.
is the Earth’s natural ____________ .

goes round the Sun in one year.
on the Moon.

5Use the arguments in activity 1
to write a paragraph in favour
or against space travel.

English Toolkit 1 - Technology

satellite