Mars One introduction film

Would you like to go and live on Mars? There are plans for a group of scientists to settle on Mars in 2023. Find out more in this video.

Preparation

Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–h next to the numbers 1–8.

1. …….. to establish      a. newspapers, television, the internet, radio and magazines
2. …….. a settlement      b. a type of machine used to travel on planet surfaces
3. …….. the media      c. to start something that will exist for a long time
4. …….. the globe      d. a place that can be lived in
5. …….. a private enterprise      e. ideas that you think are nonsense
6. …….. mumbo-jumbo      f. a place where people will live and make into a community
7. …….. habitable      g. a business that is owned and managed by independent people or businesses and not by the government
8. …….. a planetary rover      h. the world

1. Check your understanding: true or false

    Circle True or False for these sentences.

1. The first group of five humans will land on Mars in 2023.    True    False
2. Prof. Dr Gerard T Hooft has changed his initial view of the project.    True    False
3. Humans last went to Mars in the 1970s.    True    False
4. The crew will not be coming back from Mars.    True    False
5. The mission will be financed by creating the biggest media event ever.    True     False
6. Aerospace companies from around the world will supply the equipment.    True    False
7. Government and taxpayers' money will also help finance the project.    True    False
8. The first humans to go there will prepare the settlement for the arrival of the others.    True    False
9. The journey to Mars will take seven years.    True    False
10. Prof. Dr Gerard T Hooft is completely positive about the project.    True    False

2. Check your understanding: multiple choice

    Circle the best answer to these questions.

1. Mars One will establish a human settlement on Mars in __________.    a. 2023 b. 2020 c. 2032
2. The last time that humans walked on the moon was in __________.    a. 1979 b. 1792 c. 1972
3. In __________, a communications satellite and a supply mission will be sent to Mars.    a. 2016 b. 2017 c. 2018
4. Then, in __________, a large planetary rover will be sent to Mars.    a. 2020 b. 2018 c. 2016
5. Next, in __________, living units, life support units, a rover and more supplies will be sent to Mars.    a. 2021 b. 2022 c. 2020
6. When the settlement is fully operational and habitable, a crew will then depart in September __________.    a. 2023 b. 2022 c. 2024

Discussion

Would you apply for the job to live on Mars?   What do you think about the Mars One project?

KEYS

Preparation

1. c 2. f 3. a 4. h 5. g 6. e 7. d 8. b

1. Check your understanding: true or false

1. False 2. True 3. False 4. True 5. True 6. True 7. False 8. False 9. False 10.True

2. Check your understanding: multiple choice

1. a 2. c 3. a 4. b 5. c 6. b

Science experiment in space

What do you think will happen if you wring out a wet cloth in space? Astronaut Chris Hadfield performed a simple science experiment designed by high school students to find out.

Preparation

Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a – h next to the number 1 – 8.

1…….. a vice                   a. the natural force that causes objects to fall to the ground or pulls them towards a planet

2…….. surface tension      b. to twist and squeeze (a wet cloth or hair) to remove water

3…….. a washcloth           c. a tool used for holding something tightly

4…….. gravity                  d. completely wet

5…….. soaking                 e. to suddenly force (a liquid) out through a small opening

6…….. to float              f. a small cloth that you use to wash your face or body; a flannel (UK

7…….. to wring                g. the natural force existing in a liquid that holds its surface together

8…….. to squirt                h. to stay in the air or to rest on top of a liquid

The carbon planet

How much do you know about the planets in our solar system? Read on to find out the latest in scientific research in this area.

Preparation

A planet the size of Jupiter has been discovered and it is one of the hottest ones known to us. This has made scientists think about how planets are formed.

Heat signature

Planets such as Earth have more oxygen than carbon, but what if the composition was reversed? This is a question opened up by a recent discovery of a 'diamond planet' by US and UK scientists, led by Nikku Madhusudhan of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and including researchers from Belfast’s Queens University and the University of Warwick. The planet is 1200 light years away from Earth and was observed using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Dr Marek Kukula of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London, whose role is to interpret and comment on astronomical discoveries made by British scientists, explained that researchers initially used the SuperWASP (Wide Angle Search for Planets) robotic observatories operating continuously, all year around. They detected the planet, then it was observed with the Spitzer Space telescope, which according to Dr Kukula 'detected the heat coming from the planet, and from that heat signature they can tell what this planet is made from'.

Giant planet

The planet is very different to Earth. ‘It’s a giant planet,’ explains Dr Kukula, ‘a gas planet, a bit like Jupiter in our solar system. But the interesting thing that they’ve discovered is that it has a very different composition to the planets in our solar system. So where our planets have a half fraction of oxygen then carbon, this planet has it the other way around, it has more carbon than oxygen.’ This suggests that there is more than one way to make a solar system and the range of planets in the universe could be much wider than previously thought.

Diamonds and graphite

Dr Kukula says that if there are smaller planets in the same solar system with a similar composition, rich in carbon, their rocks could be rich in minerals such as carbon and diamonds, unlike Earth which has silica, the sand that rocks on Earth are made from. ‘This is where this diamond planet idea comes from; they haven’t actually detected a diamond planet yet,’ explains Dr Kukula. It’s hypothetical, ‘but you can imagine strange landscapes with black graphite rocks lying around and the surface could be covered with sticky liquids instead of water.’

The smart casual dilemma

Dress codes are usually fairly straightforward. If you're going to a wedding (or similar occasion), then you know that you should wear something smart - usually a suit for men, a dress for women. Likewise, if you're going out with friends you can dress casually, in jeans and a top. It's the area in the middle - referred to as "smart casual" - that presents me with a dilemma. This can be interpreted in so many different ways! One person might veer towards the smart side, whilst another might opt for more casual attire. For many of us, myself included, this is a difficult dress code to get right.

I currently work in France as a language assistant. I had no idea what I would be expected to wear to school. You see, in British schools teachers dress smartly. Most male teachers will wear a suit; most female teachers will wear a dress, skirt or suit. On the whole, teachers will wear similar clothing to those who work in office jobs. Even the language assistants I had at school conformed to this (rather strict) dress code. Was I supposed to do the same in France?

Packing was a slightly stressful affair. I was only taking one suitcase, so my choice of clothing was limited. In the end, I decided to take mostly casual clothes, with a few items which I would look relatively smart in. When I arrived in France, I realised there was no need to have worried. Here, the teachers wear jeans to school! I followed their lead: if they wore jeans, it was clearly not an issue if I did too. In fact, I have only seen a handful of teachers wearing suits!

Having spoken to several other assistants, it was clear they also had the same dilemma as me. Perhaps it is because of cultural differences. In Britain and the US, education is a more formal affair and uniforms are important. Here on the continent, it seems to be far more laid back; uniforms don't exist for students, and there is no set dress code for teachers either. Luckily it made my life a lot easier!

The Apple watch: technology gone too far?

For those of you who haven’t heard of it, the Apple watch is the latest invention from the infamous creators of the iPhone and Apple Mac. As the name suggests, this creation is a device designed to tell us the time. This is Apple, however, and an Apple watch is never just a watch. In fact, this accessory is multifunctional; not only does it show us the time, but it also acts as a fitness monitor and a messaging device that can be connected with an iPhone.

Is this a genius invention or technology gone too far?

Whilst the upcoming Apple watch is stylish in appearance, I can’t help but question certain aspects of the new device. Is it a positive thing to be able to receive messages through a watch, or is this another way of letting technology disrupt our social lives?

Thanks to the invention of the smartwatch, we will no longer have to reach for our phones to check our messages. Imagine the possible consequences. A group of friends sitting at a table in a restaurant will ignore each other as everyone will be too busy watching their wrists in anticipation of a new message. Students will have a means of ‘discreetly’ checking their inbox during school, despite the fact that mobile phones are forbidden in class. The list goes on. Although smartwatches may make communicating through technology easier, it seems that it could actually hinder face-to-face communication.

Much like a phone, the watch would also need to be charged every day. This is yet another aspect of the device which sets its apart from any ‘normal’ watch. If, like me, you struggle when remembering to put your phone on charge, this is a not necessarily a positive thing.

I do have to agree, however, the watch has some interesting and purposeful functions. As a fitness monitor, the device can be used to create and record sporting activities. This could be of particular interest to sports fans. Whilst there are several existing android apps that can already do this, I can see that the Apple watch would be a more convenient way of exercising without a mobile phone. The questions remains, however, is the price worth the benefits?

Whilst there are clearly both positive and negative aspects when it comes to Apple’s latest invention, I personally like my single-purpose watch that simply tells me the time! What about you? Would you be interested in having a smartwatch?

Saint Patrick´s Day

Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day - also referred to as "Saint Paddy's Day" - appears to have become a worldwide phenomenon. Whilst Saint David's Day is almost exclusively celebrated in Wales and many English people probably couldn't even tell you when Saint George's Day is (April 23rd, if you're interested), celebrations take place across the world for Saint Patrick's Day. It is celebrated on the 17th March - that's just under a week away!

A few days ago, I received an email which informed me that numerous buildings, statues and natural wonders around the world would be green for Saint Patrick's Day. In the UK the London Eye will glow green for the night, as will Nelson's Column. Across the -Coe C R to name a few. Even Niagara Falls will be illuminated for the night! An American friend also told me that the Chicago River is dyed green for the event. I had never heard of this before - but next year I will definitely try to see some of the participating landmarks in the UK!

For a lot of people, Saint Patrick's Day is simply a day to have a drink with family and friends. However, for some people the day is an important cultural event. Dublin - the capital of the Republic of Ireland - hosts lots of events to celebrate the occasion. The Saint Patrick's Festival in Dublin is an event which is attended by locals and tourists alike. There is a huge parade and also some traditional Irish dancing - known as a 'ceili'. One day, I would love to experience this event. Across the UK, many pubs and bars are decorated with shamrocks and will host quizzes or events for Saint Patrick's Day. It has become a hugely popular day in the British calendar - and it looks like its popularity will only continue to grow.

About the Earth

Look at the quiz and answer the questions to practise and improve your reading skills.

KEY

1. B. Antarctica

2. C. The Atacama desert in Chile

3. A. Tibet

4. B. The Red Sea

5. A. The Pacific

6. B. Mount Everest in the Himalayas

7. C. The Nile

8. A. Hawaii

9. C. Venezuela

10. A. Libya

11. C. Colombia

12. C. Antarctica