Breaking News English Lesson: Asteroid Mining

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Luxembourg to develop asteroid mining (6th February, 2016)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The tiny European nation of Luxembourg is not well known as a major player in the space race. However, its government has just made big investments in the future industry of asteroid mining. Private companies will mine asteroids near the Earth for water and minerals. Some of the things they mine will one day help fuel trips to Mars and beyond. Luxembourg's government is looking at research and development projects to make sure it is one of the leading countries in this new industry. Minister for the economy Etienne Schneider said: "Our aim is to open access to a wealth of previously unexplored mineral resources on lifeless rocks speeding through space, without damaging natural habitats."

Luxembourg is not the only country to look up to the skies for new places to mine. In 2015, US president Barack Obama signed a law that will let American companies mine space resources. In January, the European Space Agency shared a vision for a research village on the Moon. This would be used as a base for mining companies. The US company Deep Space Industries said space resources will allow greater exploration of the solar system without the need to mine resources on Earth. However, there could be problems ahead for mining companies. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 says that natural resources in space are part of mankind's 'common heritage'. This means private companies may not be able to mine asteroids.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://mashable.com/2016/02/04/luxembourg-asteroid-mining-initiative/#bOJUuel.UgqM
http://www.mining-technology.com/news/newsluxembourg-plans-legal-framework-asteroid-mining-4801653
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Luxembourgs_ultimate_offshore_investment_Space_mining_999.html

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. ASTEROIDS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about asteroids. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

tiny / European / nation / the space race / investments / mining / wealth / minerals / space resources / vision / research / exploration / solar system / mankind / asteroids

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. EXPLORATION: What are the benefits of these kinds of exploration? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Exploration	Benefits
Space
The brain
Oceans
Oil and gas
Self
Ancient history

4. SPACE RESOURCES: Students A strongly believe it is OK for companies to take space resources; Students B strongly believe it is not. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

5. SPACE RACE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best places to get to for resources at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• asteroids

• Mars

• the Moon

• the Sun

• Jupiter

• a comet

• a black hole

• another galaxy

6. SPACE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "space". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

a.	Luxembourg is well known for having a major role in the space race.	T / F
b.	Luxembourg's government has not yet invested in asteroid mining.	T / F
c.	Private companies will try to mine asteroids for water.	T / F
d.	A Luxembourg politician said he didn't want to harm natural habitats.	T / F
e.	Luxembourg is the only country looking into mining space resources.	T / F
f.	The European Space Agency hopes to build a village on the Moon.	T / F
g.	A company said using space resources would protect Earth's resources.	T / F
h.	A 1967 treaty allows companies to mine for space resources.	T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.	tiny	a.	the heavens
2.	major	b.	close by
3.	near	c.	in the future
4.	fuel	d.	big
5.	damaging	e.	centre
6.	the skies	f.	harming
7.	let	g.	very small
8.	base	h.	public
9.	ahead	i.	allow
10.	common	j.	power

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.	well known as a major	a.	new places to mine
2.	help fuel trips to Mars	b.	for mining companies
3.	make sure it is one of	c.	habitats
4.	speeding	d.	ahead
5.	natural	e.	to mine asteroids
6.	look up to the skies for	f.	and beyond
7.	This would be used as a base	g.	system
8.	exploration of the solar	h.	through space
9.	there could be problems	i.	player in the space race
10.	private companies may not be able	j.	the leading countries

GAP FILL

The (1) ____________ European nation of Luxembourg is not well known as a major (2) ____________ in the space race. However, its government has just made big (3) ____________ in the future industry of asteroid mining. Private companies will mine asteroids (4) ____________ the Earth for water and minerals. Some of the things they mine will one day help (5) ____________ trips to Mars and beyond. Luxembourg's government is looking at research and development projects to make (6) ____________ it is one of the leading countries in this new industry. Minister for the economy Etienne Schneider said: "Our (7) ____________ is to open access to a wealth of previously unexplored mineral resources on lifeless rocks (8) ____________ through space, without damaging natural habitats."

near
tiny
sure
investments
speeding
player
aim
fuel

Luxembourg is not the only country to look up to the (9) ____________ for new places to mine. In 2015, US president Barack Obama signed a (10) ____________ that will let American companies mine space resources. In January, the European Space Agency shared a (11) ____________ for a research village on the Moon. This would be used as a (12) ____________ for mining companies. The US company Deep Space Industries said space resources will allow (13) ____________ exploration of the solar system without the need to mine resources on Earth. However, there could be problems (14) ____________ for mining companies. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 says that natural resources in space are (15) ____________ of mankind's 'common heritage'. This means private companies may not be (16) ____________ to mine asteroids.

vision
ahead
skies
able
base
law
part
greater

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	The tiny European nation of Luxembourg is not well known as a major player ______
	a. on the space race b. at the space race c. in the space race d. to the space race
2)	its government has just made big investments in the future industry ______
	a. of asteroid mine in b. for asteroid mining c. for asteroid mine in d. of asteroid mining
3)	Some of the things they mine will one day help fuel trips to Mars ______
	a. and beyond b. and behind c. and bygone d. and be yonder
4)	looking at research and development projects to make sure it is one of ______
	a. the loading countries b. the leading countries c. the leaping countries d. the leading country
5)	Our aim is to open access to a wealth of previously unexplored ______
	a. mineral resource b. mineral resource is c. mineral resources d. mineral re sources
6)	Luxembourg is not the only country to look up to the skies for new ______
	a. places to mime b. places too mine c. place is to mine d. places to mine
7)	In January, the European Space Agency shared a vision for a research ______
	a. village in the Moon b. village inner Moon c. village in a Moon d. village on the Moon
8)	Deep Space Industries said space resources will allow greater exploration ______
	a. of the sole a system b. of the soul a system c. of the solar system d. of the seller system
9)	However, there could be problems ______ companies
	a. a head for mining b. as head four mining c. ahead for mining d. a head four mining
10)	The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 says that natural resources in space are part of ______
	a. mankind is 'common heritage' b. mankind's 'commonly heritage' c. man's kind 'common heritage' d. mankind's 'common heritage'

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The tiny European nation of Luxembourg is (1) ___________________ a major player in the space race. However, its government has just made big investments (2) ___________________ industry of asteroid mining. Private companies will mine asteroids near the Earth for water and minerals. Some of the things they mine will one day (3) ___________________ to Mars and beyond. Luxembourg's government is looking at research and development projects to make (4) ___________________ of the leading countries in this new industry. Minister for the economy Etienne Schneider said: "Our aim is (5) ___________________ a wealth of previously unexplored mineral resources on lifeless rocks (6) ___________________ space, without damaging natural habitats."

Luxembourg (7) ___________________ country to look up to the skies for new places to mine. In 2015, US president Barack Obama (8) ___________________ will let American companies mine space resources. In January, the European Space Agency shared a vision for a research village on the Moon. This would (9) ___________________ base for mining companies. The US company Deep Space Industries said space resources (10) ___________________ exploration of the solar system without the need to mine resources on Earth. However, (11) ___________________ problems ahead for mining companies. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 says that natural resources in space are part of mankind's 'common heritage'. This means private companies may (12) ___________________ mine asteroids.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What does the article say Luxembourg is not well known for?
2.	What will private companies mine asteroids for?
3.	Where will space resources help fuel future trips to?
4.	What is Etienne Schneider's job?
5.	What are "lifeless rocks" speeding through?
6.	Who might a space village on the Moon be used by?
7.	What could space resources allow greater exploration of?
8.	What did the article say might be ahead for mining companies?
9.	When was the Outer Space Treaty signed?
10.	What did the Outer Space Treaty say space resources are part of?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What does the article say Luxembourg is not well known for?	6.	Who might a space village on the Moon be used by?
	a) building space rockets b) the space race c) asteroid mining d) Moon landings		a) mining companies b) Luxembourg's space tourists c) professors d) everyone on Earth
2.	What will private companies mine asteroids for?	7.	What could space resources allow greater exploration of?
	a) coal b) plutonium c) water and minerals d) gold		a) the Moon b) faraway galaxies c) our brains d) the solar system
3.	Where will space resources help fuel future trips to?	8.	What did the article say might be ahead for mining companies?
	a) Pluto b) the Sun c) another galaxy d) Mars and beyond		a) Pluto b) a bright future c) problems d) exciting times
4.	What is Etienne Schneider's job?	9.	When was the Outer Space Treaty signed?
	a) investment analyst b) minister for the economy c) professor of asteroids d) astronaut		a) 1697 b) 1796 c) 1976 d) 1967
5.	What are "lifeless rocks" speeding through?	10.	What did the Outer Space Treaty say space resources are part of?
	a) space b) the Sun c) asteroids d) time		a) the Earth b) mankind's 'common heritage' c) the universe d) Deep Space Industries

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Asteroids

You think an asteroid is the best place to get resources for Earth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their places. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): Mars, the Sun or another galaxy.

Role B – Mars

You think Mars is the best place to get resources for Earth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their places. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): asteroids, the Sun or another galaxy.

Role C – The Sun

You think the Sun is the best place to get resources for Earth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their places. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): Mars, asteroids or another galaxy.

Role D – Another galaxy

You think another galaxy is the best place to get resources for Earth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so good about their places. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): Mars, the Sun or asteroids.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'space' and 'race'.

space

race

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

major
big
near
fuel
looking
aim

skies
law
shared
allow
ahead
1967

ASTEROID MINING SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about asteroid mining in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

ASTEROID MINING DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'mining'?
3)	What mining is there in your country?
4)	Is mining good or bad?
5)	What do you think of the idea of asteroid mining?
6)	Do you think asteroid mining is a good thing to invest in?
7)	How useful could asteroid mining be?
8)	What are the dangers of asteroid mining?
9)	What would it be like to work as an asteroid miner?
10)	What other things in space could we use to help the Earth?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	What do you know about Luxembourg?
13)	What do you know about asteroids?
14)	How might asteroid mining help the Earth?
15)	Will countries have fights over who mines which asteroid?
16)	Do you think there will be a space war one day?
17)	Do you think it's ok to mine the Moon?
18)	What kind of things do you think are in a space treaty?
19)	Is it ok for private companies to make money from asteroids?
20)	What would you like to ask an asteroid mining company boss?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

The (1) ____ European nation of Luxembourg is not well (2) ____ as a major player in the space race. However, its government has just made big investments in the (3) ____ industry of asteroid mining. Private companies will mine asteroids near the Earth for water and minerals. Some of the things they mine will one day help fuel (4) ____ to Mars and beyond. Luxembourg's government is looking at research and development projects to (5) ____ sure it is one of the leading countries in this new industry. Minister for the economy Etienne Schneider said: "Our aim is to open access to a (6) ____ of previously unexplored mineral resources on lifeless rocks speeding through space, without damaging natural habitats."

Luxembourg is not the only country to look up to the (7) ____ for new places to mine. In 2015, US president Barack Obama (8) ____ a law that will let American companies mine space resources. In January, the European Space Agency shared a vision for a research village on the Moon. This would be used as a (9) ____ for mining companies. The US company Deep Space Industries said space resources will allow (10) ____ exploration of the solar system without the need to mine resources on Earth. However, there could be problems (11) ____ for mining companies. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 says that natural resources in space are part (12) ____ mankind's 'common heritage'. This means private companies may not be able to mine asteroids.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	teeny	(b)	tiny	(c)	tinned	(d)	tinny
2.	(a)	knowledge	(b)	knows	(c)	knowing	(d)	known
3.	(a)	furthered	(b)	future	(c)	further	(d)	futures
4.	(a)	triples	(b)	triple	(c)	trips	(d)	tripe
5.	(a)	make	(b)	take	(c)	have	(d)	do
6.	(a)	wealth	(b)	rich	(c)	fund	(d)	finance
7.	(a)	skies	(b)	cloud	(c)	air	(d)	airspace
8.	(a)	signed	(b)	signature	(c)	singed	(d)	signage
9.	(a)	baste	(b)	base	(c)	bias	(d)	basic
10.	(a)	grater	(b)	greeter	(c)	greater	(d)	greats
11.	(a)	front	(b)	leading	(c)	ahead	(d)	forward
12.	(a)	for	(b)	of	(c)	from	(d)	off

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	a aromj player in the space race
2.	the future tysniudr of asteroid mining
3.	help fuel trips to Mars and enbody
4.	research and development eorjptsc
5.	mineral esrsoeurc
6.	without damaging natural aattihsb
Paragraph 2
7.	look up to the sseik
8.	the European Space Agency shared a nosiiv
9.	exploration of the solar etysms
10.	there could be problems hadae
11.	part of mankind's mnomoc heritage
12.	parveit companies

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	signed a law that will let American companies mine space resources. In January, the European Space
( )	Luxembourg is not the only country to look up to the skies for new places to mine. In 2015, US president Barack Obama
( )	development projects to make sure it is one of the leading countries in this new industry. Minister for the
( )	Agency shared a vision for a research village on the Moon. This would be used as a base
( )	economy Etienne Schneider said: "Our aim is to open access to a wealth of previously unexplored mineral resources on
( )	exploration of the solar system without the need to mine resources on Earth. However, there could be problems
( )	of mankind's 'common heritage'. This means private companies may not be able to mine asteroids.
( )	for mining companies. The US company Deep Space Industries said space resources will allow greater
( )	race. However, its government has just made big investments in the future industry of asteroid mining. Private
( )	companies will mine asteroids near the Earth for water and minerals. Some of the things they mine will one
( )	lifeless rocks speeding through space, without damaging natural habitats."
( )	ahead for mining companies. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 says that natural resources in space are part
( 1 )	The tiny European nation of Luxembourg is not well known as a major player in the space
( )	day help fuel trips to Mars and beyond. Luxembourg's government is looking at research and

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	player major a as known well Not race space the in .
2.	government Its investments big made just has .
3.	asteroids Private near companies the will Earth mine .
4.	sure make to Projects countries leading the of one is it .
5.	mineral unexplored previously of wealth A resources .
6.	new places to mine Look up to the skies for .
7.	look only places skies up country for to to The new the .
8.	as for This used base companies be a mining would .
9.	in part common Resources are mankind's space of heritage .
10.	asteroids companies be mine Private not to may able .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The tiny European nation / national of Luxembourg is not well known / knowing as a major play / player in the space race. However, its government has just made big investments in the future industry of asteroid mining. Private companies will mine asteroids near / nearly the Earth for water and minerals. Some of the thing / things they mine will one day help fuel trips to Mars and beyond. Luxembourg's government is looking at research to / and development projects to make sure it is one / once of the leading countries in this new industry. Minister for the economy Etienne Schneider said: "Our aim is to open accessible / access to a wealth of previously unexplored mineral resources on lifeless rocks speed / speeding through space, without damaging / damage natural habitats."

Luxembourg is not the only country to look down / up to the skies for new places to / for mine. In 2015, US president Barack Obama singed / signed a law that will let American companies mine space resources. In January, the European Space Agency shared / shore a vision for a research village / villager on the Moon. This would be used as a baste / base for mining companies. The US company Deep Space Industries said space resources will allow greater exploration of the sole / solar system without the need to mine resources on Earth. However, there could be problems heading / ahead for mining companies. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 says that natural resources in space are part of mankind's 'common / commonly heritage'. This means private companies may not be ability / able to mine asteroids.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

Th_ t_ny __r_p__n n_t__n _f L_x_mb__rg _s n_t w_ll kn_wn _s _ m_j_r pl_y_r _n th_ sp_c_ r_c_. H_w_v_r, _ts g_v_rnm_nt h_s j_st m_d_ b_g _nv_stm_nts _n th_ f_t_r_ _nd_stry _f _st_r__d m_n_ng. Pr_v_t_ c_mp_n__s w_ll m_n_ _st_r__ds n__r th_ __rth f_r w_t_r _nd m_n_r_ls. S_m_ _f th_ th_ngs th_y m_n_ w_ll _n_ d_y h_lp f__l tr_ps t_ M_rs _nd b_y_nd. L_x_mb__rg's g_v_rnm_nt _s l__k_ng _t r_s__rch _nd d_v_l_pm_nt pr_j_cts t_ m_k_ s_r_ _t _s _n_ _f th_ l__d_ng c__ntr__s _n th_s n_w _nd_stry. M_n_st_r f_r th_ _c_n_my _t__nn_ Schn__d_r s__d: "__r __m _s t_ _p_n _cc_ss t_ _ w__lth _f pr_v___sly _n_xpl_r_d m_n_r_l r_s__rc_s _n l_f_l_ss r_cks sp__d_ng thr__gh sp_c_, w_th__t d_m_g_ng n_t_r_l h_b_t_ts."

L_x_mb__rg _s n_t th_ _nly c__ntry t_ l__k _p t_ th_ sk__s f_r n_w pl_c_s t_ m_n_. _n 2015, _S pr_s_d_nt B_r_ck _b_m_ s_gn_d _ l_w th_t w_ll l_t _m_r_c_n c_mp_n__s m_n_ sp_c_ r_s__rc_s. _n J_n__ry, th_ __r_p__n Sp_c_ _g_ncy sh_r_d _ v_s__n f_r _ r_s__rch v_ll_g_ _n th_ M__n. Th_s w__ld b_ _s_d _s _ b_s_ f_r m_n_ng c_mp_n__s. Th_ _S c_mp_ny D__p Sp_c_ _nd_str__s s__d sp_c_ r_s__rc_s w_ll _ll_w gr__t_r _xpl_r_t__n _f th_ s_l_r syst_m w_th__t th_ n__d t_ m_n_ r_s__rc_s _n __rth. H_w_v_r, th_r_ c__ld b_ pr_bl_ms _h__d f_r m_n_ng c_mp_n__s. Th_ __t_r Sp_c_ Tr__ty _f 1967 s_ys th_t n_t_r_l r_s__rc_s _n sp_c_ _r_ p_rt _f m_nk_nd's 'c_mm_n h_r_t_g_'. Th_s m__ns pr_v_t_ c_mp_n__s m_y n_t b_ _bl_ t_ m_n_ _st_r__ds.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

The tiny European nation of Luxembourg is not well known as a major player in the space race However its government has just made big investments in the future industry of asteroid mining Private companies will mine asteroids near the Earth for water and minerals Some of the things they mine will one day help fuel trips to Mars and beyond Luxembourg's government is looking at research and development projects to make sure it is one of the leading countries in this new industry Minister for the economy Etienne Schneider said "Our aim is to open access to a wealth of previously unexplored mineral resources on lifeless rocks speeding through space without damaging natural habitats"

Luxembourg is not the only country to look up to the skies for new places to mine In 2015 US president Barack Obama signed a law that will let American companies mine space resources In January the European Space Agency shared a vision for a research village on the Moon This would be used as a base for mining companies The US company Deep Space Industries said space resources will allow greater exploration of the solar system without the need to mine resources on Earth However there could be problems ahead for mining companies The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 says that natural resources in space are part of mankind's 'common heritage' This means private companies may not be able to mine asteroids

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ThetinyEuropeannationofLuxembourgisnotwellknownasamajorplay
erinthespacerace.However,itsgovernmenthasjustmadebiginvestm
entsinthefutureindustryofasteroidmining.Privatecompanieswillmin
easteroidsneartheEarthforwaterandminerals.Someofthethingsthey
minewillonedayhelpfueltripstoMarsandbeyond.Luxembourg'sgover
nmentislookingatresearchanddevelopmentprojectstomakesureitiso
neoftheleadingcountriesinthisnewindustry.MinisterfortheeconomyE
tienneSchneidersaid:"Ouraimistoopenaccesstoawealthofpreviously
unexploredmineralresourcesonlifelessrocksspeedingthroughspace,
withoutdamagingnaturalhabitats."Luxembourgisnottheonlycountry
tolookuptotheskiesfornewplacestomine.In2015,USpresidentBarack
ObamasignedalawthatwillletAmericancompaniesminespaceresourc
es.InJanuary,theEuropeanSpaceAgencysharedavisionforaresearch
villageontheMoon.Thiswouldbeusedasabaseforminingcompanies.T
heUScompanyDeepSpaceIndustriessaidspaceresourceswillallowgr
eaterexplorationofthesolarsystemwithouttheneedtomineresources
onEarth.However,therecouldbeproblemsaheadforminingcompanies
.TheOuterSpaceTreatyof1967saysthatnaturalresourcesinspaceare
partofmankind's'commonheritage'.Thismeansprivatecompaniesma
ynotbeabletomineasteroids.

FREE WRITING

Write about asteroid mining for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Mining asteroids and other space resources is a great idea. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about the US company Deep Space Industries. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. ASTEROID MINING: Make a poster about asteroid mining. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. SPACE RESOURCES: Write a magazine article about mining for space resources. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on space resources. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how they could help us on Earth. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	tiny	a.	very small
2.	major	b.	big
3.	near	c.	close by
4.	fuel	d.	power
5.	damaging	e.	harming
6.	the skies	f.	the heavens
7.	let	g.	allow
8.	base	h.	centre
9.	ahead	i.	in the future
10.	common	j.	public

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	The space race
2.	Minerals and water
3.	Mars and beyond
4.	Luxembourg’s minister for the economy
5.	Space
6.	Mining companies
7.	The solar system
8.	Problems
9.	1967
10.	Mankind’s 'common heritage'

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

c

3.

d

4.

b

5.

a

6.

a

7.

d

8.

c

9.

d

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Breaking News English Lesson: Asteroid Mining

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Luxembourg to develop asteroid mining (6th February, 2016)

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The Reading / Listening - Level 3

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

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