Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。
- Do you think living in space for a long time would be exciting?
- Do you think astronauts need to exercise every day in space?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。
- extend /ik-STEND/
- impact /im-PAKT/
- vital /VAHYT-l/
- effort /EF-ert/
- innovation /in-uh-VEY-shuhn/
[verb] – to make something last longer
They will extend the meeting by one hour.
[verb] – to have a strong effect on something or someone
The storm will impact the flight schedules.
[adjective] – very important or essential
Doctors continued their vital work in the hospital despite the power outage.
[noun] – an attempt, action, or work done to achieve something
She put in a lot of effort to finish the project.
[noun] – the introduction of new ideas, methods, or devices
The company is known for its technological innovation.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。
NASA’s space operations continue to make significant progress with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams leading an important mission. Originally planned to last for eight days, the mission to test Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule was extended to 286 days. This extension began in June 2024 and ended with the astronauts returning aboard SpaceX on March 18, 2025. The mission, according to Ken Bowersox, NASA’s space operations chief, holds the record for the longest spaceflight extension in history. This mission highlights the unpredictable nature of space exploration.
The extended mission offers valuable insights into how long-duration space travel affects astronauts. The physical and psychological challenges, such as weightlessness and isolation, are well-documented. Studies show how these conditions impact the human body and mind. Despite these challenges, astronauts continue vital tasks like maintaining space equipment and conducting scientific experiments. These efforts deepen the understanding of how humans can live and work in space for long periods. Technological innovations in life support systems and spacecraft design are also critical in supporting such missions, making future long-term space exploration more possible.
The extended mission offers valuable insights into how long-duration space travel affects astronauts. The physical and psychological challenges, such as weightlessness and isolation, are well-documented. Studies show how these conditions impact the human body and mind. Despite these challenges, astronauts continue vital tasks like maintaining space equipment and conducting scientific experiments. These efforts deepen the understanding of how humans can live and work in space for long periods. Technological innovations in life support systems and spacecraft design are also critical in supporting such missions, making future long-term space exploration more possible.
True or False:
Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.
文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。
- The mission was originally planned to last for eight days.
- The astronauts returned aboard SpaceX in March 2025.
- The mission extension started in June 2024.
- The extension of the mission holds the record for the longest spaceflight extension.
- The mission only focused on testing spacecraft design.
Fill in the blanks:
Choose the correct word from the table, then fill in the blanks.
適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。
| extend | impact | vital | effort | innovation |
- This ______ will make work easier for everyone.
- New technology may ______ the way we work in the future.
- The teacher will ______ the deadline for the assignment.
- His ______ role in the team helped them win.
- The team showed great ______ during the match.