curriculum extra Physics and chemistry:
The International Space Station
I can understand a programme about an artificial satellite.
Start thinking
Answer the questions.
1 How many planets are there in the solar system?
2 Why is it difficult for humans to live in space?
3 Which countries invest the most money in space
exploration?
Comprehension check
1 Watch the DVD. Choose the correct answers.
1 What is the International Space Station?
a  a satellite  b  a rocket  c  a telescope
2 What time do the crew get up?
a  at 5 a.m.  b  at 6 a.m.  c  at 7 a.m.
3 When does the USA hope that astronauts will
land on Mars?
a  by 2027  b  by 2030  c  by 2037
2 Watch again. Order the activities you see 1–8.
A man is floating on the ISS.
A man is running on a treadmill.
A man is shaving.
Two people are working on the ISS.
A man is speaking on a radio.
Two men are eating an orange.
The ISS is orbiting around Earth.
A man is drinking.
3 Watch again. Read the sentences about the
International Space Station. Write true or false.
1 You can see it without a telescope.
2 The crew can’t see Earth if it’s cloudy.
3 It’s orbiting at 386 kilometres per hour.
4 The crew are researching the effect of zero
gravity.
5 The electricity comes from Earth.
6 The crew breathe oxygen made from water.
7 Today, the crews spend several months at a time
in space.
8 There are plans to build an observatory on Mars.
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4 Watch again. Match questions 1–8 with answers
a–h.
1 How do people know when they’ll be able to see
the ISS?
2 What speed is the ISS travelling at?
3 Why is daily life difficult for people living in
space?
4 What will happen to the crew if they don’t
exercise?
5 How do the crew spend their time?
6 How does the water split into oxygen and
hydrogen?
7 When was the last manned moon landing?
8 Why are there plans to build an observatory on
the moon?
a Doing experiments and looking after the space
station.
b The Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
c Through a process similar to photosynthesis.
d From a website.
e They won’t be able to stand up when they return
home.
f So that people can study the solar system.
g Because of zero gravity.
h At 32,410 kilometres an hour.
5 Watch again. Complete the summary.
The ISS is an enormous artificial 1 that
is orbiting Earth. Inside the space station, there is
zero 2 , so everything floats around.
Scientists on the station are doing
3 into the effect of weightlessness on
the human body. The 4 have to exercise
for two hours a day to stop their 5
getting weak. The station gets its 6
from solar power, and water is used to obtain
the 7 which the crews breathe. The
information gained from the experiments on the
ISS will help scientists to build an 8
on the moon so that people can study the solar
system.
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 Language check Extension
will and be going to Look at the photos and answer the questions.
• You won’t see it if it’s very cloudy or if it’s going
to rain. A
• This will be very expensive so nobody knows
exactly when it’s going to happen.

Present simple and present continuous for future

• The day begins at 6 a.m.
• Some new astronauts are arriving next month.

6 Choose the best answer.

1 We’ve just missed our train and the next one
isn’t leaving / doesn’t leave for another hour.
2 They’ve made up their minds. They’re going to
sell / They will sell their house. B
3 Are you doing / Do you do anything tomorrow
night?
4 What time is your flight arriving / does your
flight arrive?
5 That man is driving too fast. He won’t stop / isn’t
going to stop at the traffic lights.
6 I can’t see you tomorrow because I’m meeting /
I meet my cousin.
7 It’s an awful film. I’m sure you aren’t going to like
/ won’t like it.
8 The other team is much better. Are you sure we’ll Photo A
win / we’re going to win the match? • Describe the photo.
• What’s the problem with doing exercise in
7 Complete the sentences using the correct future
space?
form of the verb in brackets.
• Do you do exercise? What do you do?
1 Our match has been cancelled, so we • Why is it important to do exercise?
basketball tomorrow. (not play)
2 That’s a beautiful jacket. I’m sure your mum
Photo B
it. (love)
• Describe the photo.
3 My sister and her boyfriend are looking at rings.
• What’s the problem with eating in space?
They married. (get)
• Do you eat healthy food? What do you eat?
4 We’re very early. Our flight for
• Why is it important to eat healthy food?
another three hours. (not take off)
5 Sarah is feeling ill. She to school
tomorrow. (not go)
6 Jack hasn’t studied for the exam. He’s sure he
. (not pass)
7 Ryan can’t come to our barbecue on Saturday
because he a marathon. (run)

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