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Reading Comprehension 2 – Tarawneh

Meet Peggy Whitson: record breaker
You can't become an astronaut, people told her...
Growing up on a farm in Iowa, USA, young Peggy Whitson was clear what she would be when she
grew up: an astronaut. When she was born, in 1960, no woman had ever been into space, so her prediction
seemed unlikely. But Peggy was no ordinary girl.

1. Where did Peggy Whitson grow up?

2. What was Peggy Whitson's childhood ambition?

3. In what year was Peggy Whitson born?

- Peggy Whitson was born in 1960.

4. Why did Peggy Whitson's ambition to become an astronaut seem unlikely when she was born?

When she was ten, Peggy's father obtained his private pilot's license, and gave his daughter her first ride
in an aeroplane. Captivated by the wonderful view of the cornfields from above, Peggy decided to learn to fly.
However, it took Peggy several years of raising and selling chickens to earn enough money for flying lessons.

1. How old was Peggy Whitson when she had her first ride in an airplane?

2. What captivated Peggy during her first airplane ride?

4. What decision did Peggy make after her first ride in an airplane?

5. What did Peggy have to do in order to afford flying lessons?

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Peggy graduated from high school in 1978, the year in which NASA chose its first female astronauts.
She then studied biochemistry and worked in scientific research. She never gave up on the idea of becoming an
astronaut and in 1989 her dream came a little closer when she went to work at NASA. She worked in a series of
research and technical roles, and in 1995 became co-chair of the US-Russian Mission Science Working Group.
Becoming an astronaut took time, however. For ten years, she applied for astronaut training and was rejected
many times, but this just increased her determination. Peggy says, 'There have been times in my life when
someone told me that maybe I didn't need to become an astronaut... that el astronaut thing wasn't going to last
too long and it wasn't worth my time or effort. I just kept trying anyway.'

1. When did Peggy Whitson graduate from high school ?

2. What significant event happened in the same year Peggy graduated from high school?
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3. What did Peggy study after graduating from high school?
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4. When did Peggy start working at NASA?
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5. What roles did Peggy undertake at NASA before becoming an astronaut?

6. When did Peggy become co-chair of the US-Russian Mission Science Working Group?
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7. How long did Peggy persistently apply for astronaut training?
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8. How did Peggy respond to the rejections she faced during her ten years of applying for astronaut training?
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In 1996, Peggy's perseverance paid off. She was selected for astronaut training. Finally, in 2002, the
anticipation became reality when she was launched into space on board the space shuttle Endeavour en route to
the International Space Station. Peggy describes seeing the Earth for the first time from space, in all its amazing
colours and textures, as a wonderful experience. Today, Peggy has an excellent list of achievements and records
to her name, including:
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1. Ten spacewalks, the most by a female astronaut

2. First woman to be commander of the ISS
3. US astronaut with most days in space - 665 days
4. At 57, the oldest woman to travel into space

Peggy says she didn't set out to break any records, but she told CBS News, 'I think it's important that
we're continually pushing our limits and showing that we can extend beyond what we have done before.' Now
she focuses on encouraging and advising young people. She is that when people try
to pash themselves, they will succeed. She saysthat unless people force themselves to live outside their comfort
zone, they will not achieve their goals. By doing this herself, she says, 'I got to live my dream.'

1. When was Peggy Whitson selected for astronaut training?

2. Describe Peggy Whitson's experience in 2002.

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3. How did Peggy Whitson describe seeing Earth for the first time from space?
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4. What achievements does Peggy Whitson hold?

5. How many spacewalks has Peggy Whitson completed, and why is this significant?
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