Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever heard of someone who traveled to space? What do you know about their journey?
- What challenges do you think space travelers face when exploring outer space?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- background /BAK-ground/
- private /PRAHY-vit/
- resource /REE-sawrs/
- obstacle /OB-stuh-kuhl/
- leadership /LEE-der-ship /
[noun] – the experience, knowledge, and education someone has that influences their current situation
His background in art helped him become a successful painter.
[adjective] – belonging to a particular person or organization and not shared with others
They had a private conversation about their plans for the future.
[noun] – materials or assets that are used to achieve goals or fulfill needs
Water is a valuable resource in many parts of the world.
[noun] – The heavy rain was an obstacle to our outdoor plans.
They worked hard to overcome every obstacle in their path to success.
[noun] – tThe ability to guide or direct a group of people toward achieving goals
Strong leadership is key to the success of any team
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Jared Isaacman, a billionaire space traveler, has been nominated to lead NASA as its 15th administrator. His nomination, made by President Donald Trump, has sparked interest due to his business background and his experience as a space explorer. Isaacman has flown into space twice and even completed the first private spacewalk. During a recent Senate hearing, he shared his vision for space exploration, focusing on the simultaneous development of both the Moon and Mars missions. Isaacman believes that the United States has the resources to pursue both missions at the same time and should not choose one over the other. This ambitious plan comes at a time when the space agency faces challenges in securing enough funding and overcoming technological obstacles.
Isaacman’s vision involves returning astronauts to the Moon through the Artemis program, aiming for a mission to the Moon’s south pole by 2027. While the program has faced delays due to the high costs of the Space Launch System rocket, Isaacman remains confident in its success. He also supports continuing the International Space Station program until private space stations can take over. Isaacman emphasized the importance of regaining the United States’ leadership in space, particularly to compete with nations like China. His leadership at NASA could have significant scientific and geopolitical effects, influencing the future of space exploration.
Isaacman’s vision involves returning astronauts to the Moon through the Artemis program, aiming for a mission to the Moon’s south pole by 2027. While the program has faced delays due to the high costs of the Space Launch System rocket, Isaacman remains confident in its success. He also supports continuing the International Space Station program until private space stations can take over. Isaacman emphasized the importance of regaining the United States’ leadership in space, particularly to compete with nations like China. His leadership at NASA could have significant scientific and geopolitical effects, influencing the future of space exploration.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Who nominated Jared Isaacman to lead NASA?
- How many times has Isaacman traveled into space?
- What was Isaacman’s major achievement in space exploration?
- What focus did Isaacman mention during his Senate hearing?
- What are the two missions Isaacman believes the U.S. should focus on?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever heard about a space mission? Can you share what you know about it? If so, what did you find most exciting about the mission? If not, do you think space missions are important? Why or why not?
- Do you know anyone who works in the space industry?If so, what do you think they do? If not, how do you think their work might affect future space missions?
- Do you agree that sending people to space is important for the future of Earth?
- Why do you think space exploration is expensive? What could be done to reduce these costs?
- How could space exploration help solve problems like climate change or resource shortages on Earth?