The Reading / Listening - Dark Side of the Moon - Level 6

China has become the first nation ever to successfully land a spacecraft on the far side of the moon. The official China Central Television station announced that the lunar explorer spaceship, Chang'e 4, touched down at 10:26am on Thursday. Professor Zhu Menghua, from Macau University of Science and Technology, said the success of the mission was a major milestone for China and established the nation as a pioneer in space exploration. He told the New York Times: "We Chinese people have done something that the Americans have not dared try." Sun Zezhou, chief designer of Chang'e-4, said: "Landing on the far side of the moon is more risky than landing on the near side."

The Chang'e-4 probe started sending photographs back to Earth soon after it landed on the moon's surface. The China National Space Administration said the mission had, "lifted the mysterious veil" from the far side of the moon and "opened a new chapter in human lunar exploration". Sun Zezhou told reporters about the significance of the program. He said it would, "help lay the foundation for future space exploration." He added: "A high-precision landing is a necessity for further exploring the moon and asteroids. We hope to be able to reach the whole moon and even the whole solar system." China also has plans to launch a returnable spacecraft (Chang'e 5) by 2020.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Dark Side of the Moon - Level 4  or  Dark Side of the Moon - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/2180594/change-4-landing-dark-side-moon-marks-start-chinas-space-race-us
  • http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-01/03/c_137717597.htm
  • https://www.foxnews.com/science/china-successfully-lands-spacecraft-on-far-side-of-moon-state-media-says


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. THE MOON: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the moon. 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?
       nation / spacecraft / official / lunar / success / mission / exploration / something / risky
       photographs / mysterious / veil / space / human / precision / asteroids / solar system
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. EXPLORATION: Students A strongly believe space exploration is very important; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SPACE: How important is it to explore these things? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Importance

Why?

The moon

 

 

The Sun

 

 

Mars

 

 

Asteroids

 

 

The Milky Way

 

 

Other galaxies

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. SPACESHIP: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "spaceship". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. THE FUTURE: Rank these with your partner. Put the most desirable things about the future at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • personal spacecraft
  • 100% solar power
  • time travel
  • exploring black holes
  • cities on the moon
  • space tourism
  • minerals from Mars
  • travel to Mars

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. land a. Took the risk of doing something; brave.
      2. lunar b. An important assignment carried out for political, religious, or commercial purposes, typically involving travel.
      3. mission c. Set up an organization, system, or set of rules on a firm or permanent basis.
      4. milestone d. Come down through the air and touch and remain on the ground.
      5. established e. A person, company or organization who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area.
      6. pioneer f. Of, about, or looking like the moon.
      7. dared g. An action or event marking a significant change or stage in development.

    Paragraph 2

      8. surface h. The quality of being worthy of attention; importance.
      9. veil i. The quality, condition, or fact of being exact and accurate.
      10. chapter j. Send a missile, satellite, or spacecraft on its course or into orbit.
      11. significance k. A thing that hides, disguises, or obscures something.
      12. precision l. The fact of being required or indispensable.
      13. necessity m. A period of time or an episode in a person's life, a nation's history, etc.
      14. launch n. The level top of something; the area of such an outer part or uppermost layer.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. An official China TV station announced the news of the moon landing.     T / F
  2. The spacecraft landed on the moon on Thursday night.     T / F
  3. A professor said China was now a pioneer in space exploration.     T / F
  4. Landing on the near side of the moon is easier than the far side.     T / F
  5. The spacecraft took over 24 hours to send photos back to Earth.     T / F
  6. The spacecraft put a veil on the far side of the moon.     T / F
  7. A designer said this program would help to explore asteroids.     T / F
  8. China wants to make a returnable spacecraft by 2030.     T / F

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

  1. land
  2. announced
  3. milestone
  4. pioneer
  5. risky
  6. mission
  7. mysterious
  8. chapter
  9. foundation
  10. whole
  1. landmark
  2. hazardous
  3. puzzling
  4. basis
  5. declared
  6. period
  7. touch down
  8. entire
  9. innovator
  10. expedition

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

  1. the lunar explorer
  2. the mission was a major
  3. established the nation as a pioneer
  4. something that the Americans have
  5. Landing on the far side of the moon
  6. soon after it landed
  7. A high-
  8. exploring the moon and
  9. We hope to be able to reach
  10. China also has plans to launch
  1. in space exploration
  2. asteroids
  3. a returnable spacecraft
  4. milestone for China
  5. the whole moon
  6. not dared try
  7. spaceship
  8. precision landing
  9. is more risky
  10. on the moon's surface

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
touched
pioneer
risky
ever
designer
milestone
official
dared

China has become the first nation (1) ____________ to successfully land a spacecraft on the far side of the moon. The (2) ____________ China Central Television station announced that the lunar explorer spaceship, Chang'e 4, (3) ____________ down at 10:26am on Thursday. Professor Zhu Menghua, from Macau University of Science and Technology, said the success of the mission was a major (4) ____________ for China and established the nation as a (5) ____________ in space exploration. He told the New York Times: "We Chinese people have done something that the Americans have not (6) ____________ try." Sun Zezhou, chief (7) ____________ of Chang'e-4, said: "Landing on the far side of the moon is more (8) ____________ than landing on the near side."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
chapter
future
surface
launch
significance
reach
mission
necessity

The Chang'e-4 probe started sending photographs back to Earth soon after it landed on the moon's (9) ____________. The China National Space Administration said the (10) ____________ had, "lifted the mysterious veil" from the far side of the moon and "opened a new (11) ____________ in human lunar exploration". Sun Zezhou told reporters about the (12) ____________ of the program. He said it would, "help lay the foundation for (13) ____________ space exploration." He added: "A high-precision landing is a (14) ____________ for further exploring the moon and asteroids. We hope to be able to (15) ____________ the whole moon and even the whole solar system." China also has plans to (16) ____________ a returnable spacecraft (Chang'e 5) by 2020.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  the first nation ever to successfully land a spacecraft on the far side ______
     a.  off the moons
     b.  of a moon
     c.  of the moons
     d.  of the moon
2)  announced that the lunar explorer spaceship, Chang'e 4, touched ______
     a.  downed at 10:26am
     b.  down at 10:26am
     c.  downs at 10:26am
     d.  downer at 10:26am
3)  ... said the success of the mission was a major ______ China
     a.  miles tone for
     b.  milestone for
     c.  mile stone for
     d.  smile stone for
4)  We Chinese people have done something that the Americans have ______
     a.  not dared try
     b.  not dare try
     c.  not dared tried
     d.  not dared trial
5)  Landing on the far side of the moon is ______
     a.  more riskier
     b.  more risked
     c.  more risky
     d.  more risk

6)  started sending photographs back to Earth soon after it landed on ______
     a.  the moon's surfaced
     b.  the moons surfaces
     c.  the moon surfaces
     d.  the moon's surface
7)  The China National Space Administration said the mission had lifted ______
     a.  the mystery as veiled
     b.  the mystery us veil
     c.  the mysterious veiled
     d.  the mysterious veil
8)  Sun Zezhou told reporters about the significance ______
     a.  off the program
     b.  of the program
     c.  of a program
     d.  of the programmer
9)  A high-precision landing is a necessity for further exploring the moon ______
     a.  and asteroids
     b.  and steroids
     c.  end asteroids
     d.  ends steroids
10)  We hope to be able to reach the whole moon and even the whole ______
     a.  polar system
     b.  molar system
     c.  solar system
     d.  roller system

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

China has become the first nation ever to successfully (1) ___________________ on the far side of the moon. The official China Central Television station announced that (2) ___________________ spaceship, Chang'e 4, touched down at 10:26am on Thursday. Professor Zhu Menghua, from Macau University of Science and Technology, said the success (3) ___________________ was a major milestone for China and established the nation (4) ___________________ in space exploration. He told the New York Times: "We Chinese people have done something that the Americans have (5) ___________________." Sun Zezhou, chief designer of Chang'e-4, said: "Landing on the far side of the moon (6) ___________________ than landing on the near side."

The Chang'e-4 probe started (7) ___________________ to Earth soon after it landed on the moon's surface. The China National Space Administration said the mission had, "lifted (8) ___________________" from the far side of the moon and "opened (9) ___________________ in human lunar exploration". Sun Zezhou told reporters about the significance of the program. He said it would, "help (10) ___________________ for future space exploration." He added: "A high-precision landing (11) ___________________ for further exploring the moon and asteroids. We hope to be able to reach the whole moon and (12) ___________________ solar system." China also has plans to launch a returnable spacecraft (Chang'e 5) by 2020.

Comprehension questions

  1. What is the name of the spacecraft that landed on the moon?
  2. At what time did the spacecraft touch down on the moon?
  3. What did a professor say the mission established China as?
  4. What did a professor say the Chinese had done?
  5. What is riskier than landing on the near side of the moon?
  6. When did the spacecraft start sending photos back to Earth?
  7. What did China's space administration say had been lifted?
  8. What did China's space administration say had been opened?
  9. What did a designer say was a necessity for exploring the moon more?
  10. What does China want to launch by 2020?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the name of the spacecraft that landed on the moon?
a) China Mission
b) Chang'e 4
c) Moon China
d) Chang'e 5
2) At what time did the spacecraft touch down on the moon?
a) 10:20am
b) 10:26pm
c) 10:20pm
d) 10:26am
3) What did a professor say the mission established China as?
a) a pioneer in space exploration
b) a pioneer in asteroids
c) a researcher
d) winner of the space race
4) What did a professor say the Chinese had done?
a) the impossible
b) something dangerous
c) something the US had not tried
d) something great
5) What is riskier than landing on the near side of the moon?
a) landing on an asteroid
b) landing on the far side of the moon
c) flying to Mars
d) climate change

6) When did the spacecraft start sending photos back to Earth?
a) just before it landed
b) 24 hours after it landed
c) soon after it landed on the moon's surface
d) as soon as it took off
7) What did China's space administration say had been lifted?
a) pressure
b) rocks
c) a giant spacecraft
d) a mysterious veil
8) What did China's space administration say had been opened?
a) a new chapter in lunar exploration
b) a space museum
c) many jobs in space travel
d) a high-tech camera lens
9) What did a designer say was a necessity for exploring the moon more?
a) a high-precision landing
b) lots of money
c) US-China cooperation
d) time travel
10) What does China want to launch by 2020?
a) a new company
b) a returnable spacecraft
c) a website
d) a space tourism service

Role play

Role  A – Cities on the Moon
You think having cities on the moon is the most desirable thing about the future. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): space tourism, personal spacecraft or time travel.

Role  B – Space Tourism
You think space tourism is the most desirable thing about the future. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): cities on the moon, personal spacecraft or time travel.

Role  C – Personal Spacecraft
You think owning personal spacecraft is the most desirable thing about the future. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): space tourism, cities on the moon or time travel.

Role  D – Time Travel
You think time travel is the most desirable thing about the future. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): space tourism, personal spacecraft or cities on the moon.

After reading / listening

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

'dark'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'side'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • started
    • lifted
    • chapter
    • help
    • further
    • plans
    • first
    • announced
    • success
    • told
    • pioneer
    • risky

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - China first to land on dark side of the moon

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'moon'?
    3. What do you know about the moon?
    4. Why has no country landed on the far side of the moon before?
    5. What do you think is on the far side of the moon?
    6. How big an achievement is this?
    7. Is China now leading the space race?
    8. What would you do if you went to the moon?
    9. Should the USA now try to go to the far side of the moon?
    10. What do you think of a China flag being on the far side of the moon?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'China'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you want to know about the moon?
    5. Why are we so interested in the moon?
    6. Why is the far side of the moon so mysterious?
    7. What do you think the future of space exploration is?
    8. Why do we need to explore asteroids?
    9. What are the pros and cons of creating settlements on the moon?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the space program boss?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    China has become the first (1) ____ ever to successfully land a spacecraft on the far side of the moon. The (2) ____ China Central Television station announced that the lunar explorer spaceship, Chang'e 4, touched (3) ____ at 10:26am on Thursday. Professor Zhu Menghua, from Macau University of Science and Technology, said the success of the mission was a (4) ____ milestone for China and established the nation as a pioneer (5) ____ space exploration. He told the New York Times: "We Chinese people have done something that the Americans have not dared try." Sun Zezhou, chief designer of Chang'e-4, said: "Landing on the far side of the moon is more (6) ____ than landing on the near side."

    The Chang'e-4 probe started sending photographs back to Earth soon after it (7) ____ on the moon's surface. The China National Space Administration said the mission had, "lifted the mysterious (8) ____" from the far side of the moon and "opened a new chapter in human lunar exploration". Sun Zezhou told reporters about the (9) ____ of the program. He said it would, "help lay the foundation for future space exploration." He added: "A (10) ____-precision landing is a necessity for further exploring the moon and asteroids. We hope to be (11) ____ to reach the whole moon and even the whole solar system." China also has plans to (12) ____ a returnable spacecraft (Chang'e 5) by 2020.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     national     (b)     nationality     (c)     nation     (d)     nationalize    
    2. (a)     official     (b)     officially     (c)     officials     (d)     officialdom    
    3. (a)     down     (b)     up     (c)     off     (d)     on    
    4. (a)     major     (b)     majored     (c)     majority     (d)     mayor    
    5. (a)     on     (b)     in     (c)     by     (d)     at    
    6. (a)     risks     (b)     risked     (c)     risqué     (d)     risky    
    7. (a)     earthed     (b)     grounded     (c)     landed     (d)     soiled    
    8. (a)     welt     (b)     veal     (c)     well     (d)     veil    
    9. (a)     significance     (b)     signify     (c)     significantly     (d)     significant    
    10. (a)     up     (b)     high     (c)     increase     (d)     elevate    
    11. (a)     ability     (b)     able     (c)     enable     (d)     disable    
    12. (a)     brunch     (b)     lunch     (c)     launch     (d)     ranch

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. fueyslusccls land a spacecraft
    2. television station anceduonn that
    3. the lunar pxeolrer spaceship
    4. the success of the misinos
    5. a major onletemsi for China
    6. hcfie designer of Chang'e-4

    Paragraph 2

    1. it landed on the moon's uerscaf
    2. lifted the ssmeitoyru veil
    3. told reporters about the cngecsiafiin
    4. A high-peciionsr landing is a necessity
    5. exploring the moon and saeidotsr
    6. culahn a returnable spacecraft

    Put the text back together

    (...)  and asteroids. We hope to be able to reach the whole moon and even the whole
    (...)  Macau University of Science and Technology, said the success of the mission was a major
    (...)  explorer spaceship, Chang'e 4, touched down at 10:26am on Thursday. Professor Zhu Menghua, from
    (...)  veil" from the far side of the moon and "opened a new chapter in human lunar exploration". Sun Zezhou told
    (...)  "Landing on the far side of the moon is more risky than landing on the near side."
    (  1  ) China has become the first nation ever to successfully land a spacecraft on the far
    (...)  space exploration." He added: "A high-precision landing is a necessity for further exploring the moon
    (...)  reporters about the significance of the program. He said it would, "help lay the foundation for future
    (...)  solar system." China also has plans to launch a returnable spacecraft (Chang'e 5) by 2020.
    (...)  milestone for China and established the nation as a pioneer in space exploration. He told the New York Times: "We Chinese
    (...)  surface. The China National Space Administration said the mission had, "lifted the mysterious
    (...)  side of the moon. The official China Central Television station announced that the lunar
    (...)  people have done something that the Americans have not dared try." Sun Zezhou, chief designer of Chang'e-4, said:
    (...)  The Chang'e-4 probe started sending photographs back to Earth soon after it landed on the moon's

    Put the words in the right order

    1. a   on   Successfully   spacecraft   far   land   the   side   .
    2. a   milestone   .   was   major   The   success   mission's
    3. nation   a   as   the   pioneer   .   space   exploration   Established
    4. not   dared   Americans   that   have   Something   the   try   .
    5. risky   on   landing   than   near   the   side   .   More
    6. probe   to   photographs   started   The   back   sending   Earth   .
    7. veil   .   mysterious   lifted   had   the   mission   The
    8. lay   space   exploration   .   foundation   the   future   Help   for
    9. reach   hope   the   to   able   to   be   moon   .   We
    10. launch   a   has   plans   spacecraft   .   returnable   to   China

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    China has become the firstly / first nation ever to successfully land a spacecraft on the far side / siding of the moon. The official China Central Television station announced that the lunatic / lunar explorer spaceship, Chang'e 4, touched up / down at 10:26am on Thursday. Professor Zhu Menghua, from Macau University of Science and Technology, said the success / succession of the mission was a majority / major milestone for China and established the nation as a pioneer on / in space exploration. He told the New York Times: "We Chinese people have done anything / something that the Americans have not dared / daring try." Sun Zezhou, chief designer of Chang'e-4, said: "Landing on the far side of the moon is more risqué / risky than landing on the near side."

    The Chang'e-4 probe / globe started sending photographs back to Earth soon after it landed in / on the moon's surface. The China National Space Administration said the mission had, "lifted the mysterious fail / veil" from the far side of the moon and "opened a new / news chapter in human lunar exploration". Sun Zezhou told reporters about the signify / significance of the program. He said it would, "help lay / lie the foundation for future space exploration." He addition / added: "A high-precision landing is a necessity of / for further exploring the moon and asteroids. We hope to be ability / able to reach the whole moon and even the whole solar system." China also has plans to launch a returnable / return spacecraft (Chang'e 5) by 2020.

    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)

    C h_n_ h_s b_c_m_ t h_ f_r s t n_t__ n _v_r t_ s_c c_s s f_l l y l_n d _ s p_c_c r_f t _n t h_ f_r s_d_ _f t h_ m__ n . T h_ _f f_c__ l C h_n_ C_n t r_l T_l_v_s__ n s t_t__ n _n n__ n c_d t h_t t h_ l_n_r _x p l_r_r s p_c_s h_p , C h_n g '_ 4 , t__ c h_d d_w n _t 1 0 : 2 6_m _n T h_r s d_y . P r_f_s s_r Z h_ M_n g h__ , f r_m M_c__ U n_v_r s_t y _f S c__ n c_ _n d T_c h n_l_g y , s__ d t h_ s_c c_s s _f t h_ m_s s__ n w_s _ m_j_r m_l_s t_n_ f_r C h_n_ _n d _s t_b l_s h_d t h_ n_t__ n _s _ p__ n__ r _n s p_c_ _x p l_r_t__ n . H_ t_l d t h_ N_w Y_r k T_m_s : " W_ C h_n_s_ p__ p l_ h_v_ d_n_ s_m_t h_n g t h_t t h_ A m_r_c_n s h_v_ n_t d_r_d t r y . " S_n Z_z h__ , c h__ f d_s_g n_r _f C h_n g '_- 4 , s__ d : " L_n d_n g _n t h_ f_r s_d_ _f t h_ m__ n _s m_r_ r_s k y t h_n l_n d_n g _n t h_ n__ r s_d_. "

    T h_ C h_n g '_- 4 p r_b_ s t_r t_d s_n d_n g p h_t_g r_p h s b_c k t_ E_r t h s__ n _f t_r _t l_n d_d _n t h_ m__ n ' s s_r f_c_. T h_ C h_n_ N_t__ n_l S p_c_ A d m_n_s t r_t__ n s__ d t h_ m_s s__ n h_d , " l_f t_d t h_ m y s t_r___s v__ l " f r_m t h_ f_r s_d_ _f t h_ m__ n _n d "_p_n_d _ n_w c h_p t_r _n h_m_n l_n_r _x p l_r_t__ n " . S_n Z_z h__ t_l d r_p_r t_r s _b__ t t h_ s_g n_f_c_n c_ _f t h_ p r_g r_m . H_ s__ d _t w__ l d , " h_l p l_y t h_ f__ n d_t__ n f_r f_t_r_ s p_c_ _x p l_r_t__ n . " H_ _d d_d : " A h_g h - p r_c_s__ n l_n d_n g _s _ n_c_s s_t y f_r f_r t h_r _x p l_r_n g t h_ m__ n _n d _s t_r__ d s . W_ h_p_ t_ b_ _b l_ t_ r__ c h t h_ w h_l_ m__ n _n d _v_n t h_ w h_l_ s_l_r s y s t_m . " C h_n_ _l s_ h_s p l_n s t_ l__ n c h _ r_t_r n_b l_ s p_c_c r_f t ( C h_n g '_ 5 ) b y 2 0 2 0 .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    china has become the first nation ever to successfully land a spacecraft on the far side of the moon the official china central television station announced that the lunar explorer spaceship change 4 touched down at 1026am on thursday professor zhu menghua from macau university of science and technology said the success of the mission was a major milestone for china and established the nation as a pioneer in space exploration he told the new york times we chinese people have done something that the americans have not dared try sun zezhou chief designer of change4 said landing on the far side of the moon is more risky than landing on the near side

    the change4 probe started sending photographs back to earth soon after it landed on the moons surface the china national space administration said the mission had lifted the mysterious veil from the far side of the moon and opened a new chapter in human lunar exploration sun zezhou told reporters about the significance of the program he said it would help lay the foundation for future space exploration he added a highprecision landing is a necessity for further exploring the moon and asteroids we hope to be able to reach the whole moon and even the whole solar system china also has plans to launch a returnable spacecraft change 5 by 2020.

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Chinahasbecomethefirstnationevertosuccessfullylandaspacecrafto
    nthefarsideofthemoon.TheofficialChinaCentralTelevisionstationann
    ouncedthatthelunarexplorerspaceship,Chang'e4,toucheddownat10
    :26amonThursday.ProfessorZhuMenghua,fromMacauUniversityofS
    cienceandTechnology,saidthesuccessofthemissionwasamajormiles
    toneforChinaandestablishedthenationasapioneerinspaceexploratio
    n.HetoldtheNewYorkTimes:"WeChinesepeoplehavedonesomething
    thattheAmericanshavenotdaredtry."SunZezhou,chiefdesignerofCh
    ang'e-4,said:"Landingonthefarsideofthemoonismoreriskythanland
    ingonthenearside."TheChang'e-4probestartedsendingphotograph
    sbacktoEarthsoonafteritlandedonthemoon'ssurface.TheChinaNatio
    nalSpaceAdministrationsaidthemissionhad,"liftedthemysteriousveil
    "fromthefarsideofthemoonand"openedanewchapterinhumanlunare
    xploration".SunZezhoutoldreportersaboutthesignificanceoftheprog
    ram.Hesaiditwould,"helplaythefoundationforfuturespaceexploratio
    n."Headded:"Ahigh-precisionlandingisanecessityforfurtherexplorin
    gthemoonandasteroids.Wehopetobeabletoreachthewholemoonand
    eventhewholesolarsystem."Chinaalsohasplanstolaunchareturnable
    spacecraft(Chang'e5)by2020.

    Free writing

    Write about the dark side of the moon for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Space exploration is humankind's most important pursuit. Discuss.

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    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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. THE MOON: Make a poster about the moon. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. THE DARK SIDE: Write a magazine article about the importance of exploring the dark side of the moon. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    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 the moon. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on the moon. 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

    Buy my book

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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