The Reading / Listening - Satellites - Level 6

Astronomers are concerned that our views of the heavens are becoming more and more obscured. Their warning comes ahead of a whole series of satellite launches by a variety of companies. Thousands of satellites are being launched into orbit throughout 2020 to make high-speed Internet more readily available across the world from space. The scientists say the skies will be so littered with arrays of satellites they will compete for our attention with the stars. They say the satellites will link up to form "mega-constellations" that could interfere with radio astronomy and the quality of images from optical telescopes. The astronomers said the satellites will appear as dazzling white streaks of light that could be mistaken for stars.

Technology analysts say there are plans to launch as many as 46,000 satellites into space over the next few years. This is five times more than the number of objects sent into space since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, over six decades ago. Satellites from companies like SpaceX and Amazon will provide much faster Internet speeds to even the remotest areas of the world. They will provide global connectivity across the globe. Even today, about 14 million people in the USA live in rural areas with zero Internet coverage. SpaceX will launch 120 satellites in January and has plans to send a further 12,000 into orbit in the next decade. Astrophysicist Dr Dave Clements called the initiative a "tragedy".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Satellites - Level 4  or  Satellites - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/14/spacex-oneweb-and-amazon-to-launch-thousands-more-satellites-in-2020s.html
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50870117
  • http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/First_launch_of_UKs_OneWeb_satellites_from_Baikonur_now_set_for_30_Jan_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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. SATELLITES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about satellites. 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?
       astronomers / views / heavens / warning / variety / high-speed Internet / satellites /
       technology / analysts / a few years / space / connectivity / rural area / orbit / tragedy
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. STARS: Students A strongly believe we need to seeing the stars is more important than putting satellites into space; Students B strongly believe satellites are more important than seeing the stars.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SATELLITE USES: What do you know about these uses for satellites? What do you want to know? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

What I Want to Know

Weather

 

 

GPS

 

 

Military

 

 

Internet

 

 

Business

 

 

Climate

 

 
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. TRAGEDY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "tragedy". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. THE HEAVENS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most beautiful things in the heavens at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Earth
  • Constellations
  • The Milky Way
  • The sun
  • Shooting stars
  • Solar eclipses
  • The Aurora Borealis
  • The moon

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. astronomer a. A group of stars forming a recognizable pattern that is traditionally named after what it looks like or a mythological figure.
      2. concerned b. The sky and beyond.
      3. the heavens c. Worried, troubled, or anxious.
      4. obscured d. Prevent a process or activity from continuing or being carried out properly.
      5. constellation e. An expert, student or enthusiast in the branch of science which deals with space objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.
      6. littered f. Made hard to make out or define; vague.
      7. interfere g. Made a place untidy with rubbish, garbage or a large number of objects left lying about.

    Paragraph 2

      8. analyst h. Send a missile, satellite, or spacecraft on its course or into space.
      9. launch i. The curved path of an  object or spacecraft in space around a star, planet, or moon.
      10. remote j. An event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, such as a serious accident, crime, or natural catastrophe.
      11. rural k. Situated far from the main centers of population; distant.
      12. orbit l. An act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh approach to something.
      13. initiative m. In, relating to, or characteristic of the countryside rather than the town.
      14. tragedy n. A person who conducts detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article said it is becoming more difficult to see heaven.     T / F
  2. Companies will launch thousands of satellites into space in 2020.     T / F
  3. Astronomers say satellites will compete with stars for our attention.     T / F
  4. The article said satellites look like dazzling streaks of blue light.     T / F
  5. Over 45,000 satellites could be launched in the next decade.     T / F
  6. The first satellite was launched into space nearly 50 years ago.     T / F
  7. Amazon is one of the companies launching satellites into space.     T / F
  8. An astrophysicist said the number of satellites was a tragedy.     T / F

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

  1. concerned
  2. whole
  3. launched
  4. littered
  5. streaks
  6. objects
  7. remotest
  8. zero
  9. rural
  10. tragedy
  1. things
  2. countryside
  3. entire
  4. none
  5. disaster
  6. filled
  7. worried
  8. most isolated
  9. lines
  10. blasted off

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

  1. our views of
  2. make high-speed Internet
  3. the skies will be so
  4. interfere
  5. dazzling white streaks
  6. there are plans to launch
  7. to even the remotest
  8. They will provide global connectivity
  9. zero Internet
  10. Dr Dave Clements called the
  1. more readily available
  2. coverage
  3. of light
  4. as many as 46,000
  5. littered
  6. areas of the world
  7. with radio astronomy
  8. initiative a "tragedy"
  9. across the globe
  10. the heavens

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
series
arrays
streaks
heavens
available
optical
orbit
link

Astronomers are concerned that our views of the (1) ____________ are becoming more and more obscured. Their warning comes ahead of a whole (2) ____________ of satellite launches by a variety of companies. Thousands of satellites are being launched into (3) ____________ throughout 2020 to make high-speed Internet more readily (4) ____________ across the world from space. The scientists say the skies will be so littered with (5) ____________ of satellites they will compete for our attention with the stars. They say the satellites will (6) ____________ up to form "mega-constellations" that could interfere with radio astronomy and the quality of images from (7) ____________ telescopes. The astronomers said the satellites will appear as dazzling white (8) ____________ of light that could be mistaken for stars.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
connectivity
further
objects
initiative
analysts
rural
remotest
decades

Technology (9) ____________ say there are plans to launch as many as 46,000 satellites into space over the next few years. This is five times more than the number of (10) ____________ sent into space since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, over six (11) ____________ ago. Satellites from companies like SpaceX and Amazon will provide much faster Internet speeds to even the (12) ____________ areas of the world. They will provide global (13) ____________ across the globe. Even today, about 14 million people in the USA live in (14) ____________ areas with zero Internet coverage. SpaceX will launch 120 satellites in January and has plans to send a (15) ____________ 12,000 into orbit in the next decade. Astrophysicist Dr Dave Clements called the (16) ____________ a "tragedy".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) comes ahead of a whole series of satellite launches by ______ companies
     a.  a various of
     b.  a varieties of
     c.  a variation of
     d.  a variety of
2)  The scientists say the skies will be so littered ______ satellites
     a.  with displays of
     b.  with arrears of
     c.  with aerials of
     d.  with arrays of
3)  They say the satellites will link up to form "______"
     a.  major-constellations
     b.  meager-constellations
     c.  mega-constellations
     d.  magma-constellations
4) interfere with radio astronomy and the quality of images from ______
     a.  optician telescopes
     b.  optic all telescopes
     c.  optics all telescopes
     d.  optical telescopes
5)  The astronomers said the satellites will appear as ______ streaks
     a.  dazzling white
     b.  dabbling white
     c.  darkling white
     d.  dappling white

6)  plans to launch as many as 46,000 satellites into space over the ______
     a.  next few years
     b.  next through years
     c.  next flew years
     d.  next flu years
7) Amazon will provide much faster Internet speeds to even ______
     a.  the remote is areas
     b.  the remotest auroras
     c.  the remotest areas
     d.  the limitless auras
8)  Even today, about 14 million people in the USA live ______
     a.  in rural areas
     b.  in alluvial auroras
     c.  in roar all auras
     d.  inner real aerials
9)  launch 120 satellites in January and has plans to send a further ______
     a.  12,000 onto orbit
     b.  12,000 into orbit
     c.  12,000 unto orbit
     d.  12,000 in two orbit
10)  Astrophysicist Dr Dave Clements called the ______
     a.  in shaft a "tragedy"
     b.  initial I've a "tragedy"
     c.  initiate a "tragedy"
     d.  initiative a "tragedy"

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Astronomers are concerned that our views (1) ___________________ are becoming more and more obscured. Their warning comes ahead of a whole series of satellite launches (2) ___________________ of companies. Thousands of satellites are being launched (3) ___________________ 2020 to make high-speed Internet more readily available across the world from space. The scientists say the skies will be so (4) ___________________ of satellites they will compete for our attention with the stars. They say the satellites will link up to form "mega-constellations" that could interfere with radio astronomy and the quality of images (5) ___________________. The astronomers said the satellites will (6) ___________________ white streaks of light that could be mistaken for stars.

Technology (7) ___________________ are plans to launch as many as 46,000 satellites into space over the next few years. This is five times more than the number of objects sent into space (8) ___________________ of Sputnik 1 in 1957, over six decades ago. Satellites from companies like SpaceX and Amazon will provide much faster Internet speeds to even the (9) ___________________ the world. They will provide global connectivity across the globe. Even today, about 14 million people in the USA live in (10) ___________________ zero Internet coverage. SpaceX will launch 120 satellites in January and has plans to send a further 12,000 (11) ___________________ the next decade. Astrophysicist Dr Dave Clements called the (12) ___________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. Who is worried about our view of the heavens becoming more obscured?
  2. How many companies will be launching satellites into space in 2020?
  3. What will the satellites link up to form?
  4. What could the satellites interfere with?
  5. What will the satellites appear as in the sky?
  6. How many satellites could be put into space in the next decade?
  7. In what year was the satellite Sputnik 1 launched into space?
  8. How many people in the USA lack Internet coverage today?
  9. What company will launch 120 satellites in January?
  10. What did an astrophysicist call the launch of so many satellites?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  Who is worried about our view of the heavens becoming more obscured?
a) astrophysicists
b) astronomers
c) astronauts
d) astrologists
2)  How many companies will be launching satellites into space in 2020?
a) millions
b) dozens
c) several
d) a variety
3) What will the satellites link up to form?
a) a mega-constellation
b) a super-constellation
c) a mega-consortium
d) a stellar consortium
4) What could the satellites interfere with?
a) the International Space Station
b) solar power
c) radio astronomy
d) our weather
5) What will the satellites appear as in the sky?
a) darting blue flashes of light
b) dazzling white streaks of light
c) mysterious yellow stars
d) bright orange shooting stars

6) How many satellites could be put into space in the next decade?
a) up to 46,000
b) hundreds of thousands
c) thousands
d) 48,722
7) In what year was the satellite Sputnik 1 launched into space?
a) 1975
b) 1955
c) 1957
d) 1977
8) How many people in the USA lack Internet coverage today?
a) about 14 million
b) exactly 14 million
c) just more than 14 million
d) slightly fewer than 14 million
9) What company will launch 120 satellites in January?
a) SpaceX
b) Virgin Galactic
c) Boeing
d) Amazon

10) What did an astrophysicist call the launch of so many satellites?
a) innovative
b) a disaster waiting to happen
c) mind-boggling
d) a tragedy

Role play

Role  A – Earth
You think Earth is the most beautiful thing in the heavens. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least beautiful of these (and why): constellations, the moon or shooting stars.

Role  B –Constellations
You think constellations are the most beautiful things in the heavens. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least beautiful of these (and why): Earth, the moon or shooting stars.

Role  C – The Moon
You think the moon is the most beautiful thing in the heavens. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least beautiful of these (and why): constellations, Earth or shooting stars.

Role  D – Shooting Stars
You think shooting stars are the most beautiful things in the heavens. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least beautiful of these (and why): constellations, the moon or Earth.

After reading / listening

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

'space'

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

    • and 'satellite'.

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

    • • 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:

    • view
    • variety
    • 2020
    • littered
    • quality
    • mistaken
    • few
    • five
    • faster
    • 14
    • 120
    • tragedy

    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 - Satellites

    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 'space'?
    3. What do you know about astronomy?
    4. How much do you like watching the stars?
    5. How important are satellites?
    6. Should governments limit the number of satellites in space?
    7. What do you think of 46,000 satellites going into space?
    8. How sad would you be if satellites spoiled our views of the stars?
    9. What can go wrong with thousands of satellites being in space?
    10. How important is it to keep space clear of objects?

    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 'satellite'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of astronomy?
    5. Why are people interested in astronomy?
    6. What do you know about Sputnik 1?
    7. How satisfied are you with your Internet connectivity?
    8. How will the world change if everyone had the Internet?
    9. How much of a "tragedy" is space being full of satellites?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the astronomers?

    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)

    Astronomers are concerned that our views of the (1) ____ are becoming more and more obscured. Their warning comes ahead of a (2) ____ series of satellite launches by a variety of companies. Thousands of satellites are being launched into orbit throughout 2020 to make high-speed Internet more (3) ____ available across the world from space. The scientists say the skies will be so littered with arrays of satellites they will compete (4) ____ our attention with the stars. They say the satellites will link up to form "mega-constellations" that could (5) ____ with radio astronomy and the quality of images from optical telescopes. The astronomers said the satellites will appear as (6) ____ white streaks of light that could be mistaken for stars.

    Technology (7) ____ say there are plans to launch as many as 46,000 satellites into space over the next few years. This is five times more than the number of objects sent into space since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, over six decades ago. Satellites from companies like SpaceX and Amazon will provide much faster Internet speeds to even the (8) ____ areas of the world. They will provide global (9) ____ across the globe. Even today, about 14 million people in the USA live in rural areas with (10) ____ Internet coverage. SpaceX will launch 120 satellites in January and has plans to send a further 12,000 into (11) ____ in the next decade. Astrophysicist Dr Dave Clements called the (12) ____ a "tragedy".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     heaven     (b)     heavens     (c)     heavenly     (d)     heaven sent    
    2. (a)     holy     (b)     whole     (c)     hole     (d)     wholly    
    3. (a)     readied     (b)     ready     (c)     readies     (d)     readily    
    4. (a)     on     (b)     for     (c)     for     (d)     of    
    5. (a)     atmosphere     (b)     interfere     (c)     sphere     (d)     stratosphere    
    6. (a)     dabbling     (b)     dappling     (c)     dazzling     (d)     darkling    
    7. (a)     analysis     (b)     analyses     (c)     analysts     (d)     analytics    
    8. (a)     lest     (b)     incest     (c)     remotest     (d)     retest    
    9. (a)     embossing     (b)     encrusting     (c)     deal     (d)     coverage    
    10. (a)     diddly-squat     (b)     zilch     (c)     nought     (d)     zero    
    11. (a)     orbit     (b)     circular     (c)     spherical     (d)     roundness    
    12. (a)     initials     (b)     initiation     (c)     initiative     (d)     initially

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. a yarievt of companies
    2. more erlidya available
    3. littered with ysraar of satellites
    4. eenretfir with radio astronomy
    5. images from cotplai telescopes
    6. lindzazg white streaks of light

    Paragraph 2

    1. Technology nlatysas say there are plans
    2. the number of tbsjoec sent into space
    3. They will provide global tynccvieotni
    4. rural areas with zero Internet raeecvgo
    5. send a further 12,000 into trboi
    6. Clements called the enitaitiiv a "tragedy"

    Put the text back together

    (  1  ) Astronomers are concerned that our views of the heavens are becoming more and more
    (...)  telescopes. The astronomers said the satellites will appear as dazzling white streaks of light that could be mistaken for stars.
    (...)  companies. Thousands of satellites are being launched into orbit throughout 2020 to make high-speed Internet more readily
    (...)  obscured. Their warning comes ahead of a whole series of satellite launches by a variety of
    (...)  Internet speeds to even the remotest areas of the world. They will provide global connectivity across the
    (...)  few years. This is five times more than the number of objects sent into space since the launch
    (...)  available across the world from space. The scientists say the skies will be so littered with arrays of satellites they will
    (...)  Technology analysts say there are plans to launch as many as 46,000 satellites into space over the next
    (...)  of Sputnik 1 in 1957, over six decades ago. Satellites from companies like SpaceX and Amazon will provide much faster
    (...)  constellations" that could interfere with radio astronomy and the quality of images from optical
    (...)  compete for our attention with the stars. They say the satellites will link up to form "mega-
    (...)  into orbit in the next decade. Astrophysicist Dr Dave Clements called the initiative a "tragedy".
    (...)  globe. Even today, about 14 million people in the USA live in rural areas with zero Internet
    (...)  coverage. SpaceX will launch 120 satellites in January and has plans to send a further 12,000

    Put the words in the right order

    1. more   are   becoming   more   and   The   obscured   .   heavens
    2. of   orbit   .   Thousands   launched   into   being   satellites   are
    3. up   mega-constellations   .   link   form   to   Satellites   will
    4. said   appear   .   astronomers   the   The   satellites   will
    5. that   be   mistaken   .   of   could   Streaks   light
    6. to   satellites   .   as   launch   Plans   as   many   46,000
    7. of   the   space   into   Sent   1   .   since   Sputnik   launch
    8. remotest   areas   .   the   Internet   speeds   even   Faster   to
    9. global   the   connectivity   will   They   globe   .   across   provide
    10. further   12,000   send   into   Plans   a   to   orbit   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Astronomers are concerned / cornered that our views of the heavens are becoming more and more obscured. Their warning comes heading / ahead of a whole series / serial of satellite launches by a variety of companies. Thousands of satellites are being launched into orb / orbit throughout 2020 to make high-speed Internet more readily / ready available across the world from space. The scientists say the skies will be so littered with disarray / arrays of satellites they will compete for our attention with the stars. They say the satellites will link down / up to form "mega-constellations" that could interference / interfere with radio astronomy and the quality of images from optical / optician telescopes. The astronomers said the satellites will appear as dazzling white streaks of light that could be mistake / mistaken for stars.

    Technology analysis / analysts say there are plans to launch as much / many as 46,000 satellites into space over the next few years. This is five times more than the number / numeral of objects sent into space since the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, over six decades ago / hence. Satellites from companies like SpaceX and Amazon will provide much faster Internet speedy / speeds to even the remotest areas of / off the world. They will provide global connectivity across the globule / globe. Even today, about 14 million people in the USA live in rural areas with zero / nought Internet coverage. SpaceX will launch 120 satellites in January and has plans / plan to send a further 12,000 into orbit in the next decade. Astrophysicist Dr Dave Clements called the initiative a "tragedy / tragic".

    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)

    A s t r_n_m_r s _r_ c_n c_r n_d t h_t __ r v__ w s _f t h_ h__ v_n s _r_ b_c_m_n g m_r_ _n d m_r_ _b s c_r_d . T h__ r w_r n_n g c_m_s _h__ d _f _ w h_l_ s_r__ s _f s_t_l l_t_ l__ n c h_s b y _ v_r__ t y _f c_m p_n__ s . T h__ s_n d s _f s_t_l l_t_s _r_ b__ n g l__ n c h_d _n t_ _r b_t t h r__ g h__ t 2 0 2 0 t_ m _k_ h_g h - s p__ d I n t_r n_t m_r_ r__ d_l y _v__ l_b l_ _c r_s s t h_ w_r l d f r_m s p_c_. T h_ s c__ n t_s t s s_y t h_ s k__ s w_l l b_ s_ l_t t_r_d w_t h _r r_y s _f s_t_l l_t_s t h_y w_l l c_m p_t_ f_r __ r _t t_n t__ n w_t h t h_ s t_r s . T h_y s_y t h_ s_t_l l_t_s w_l l l_n k _p t_ f_r m " m_g_- c_n s t_l l_t__ n s " t h_t c__ l d _n t_r f_r_ w_t h r_d__ _s t r_n_m y _n d t h_ q__ l_t y _f _m_g_s f r_m _p t_c_l t_l_s c_p_s . T h_ _s t r_n_m_r s s__ d t h_ s_t_l l_t_s w_l l _p p__ r _s d_z z l_n g w h_t_ s t r__ k s _f l_g h t t h_t c__ l d b_ m_s t_k_n f_r s t_r s .

    T_c h n_l_g y _n_l y s t s s_y t h_r_ _r_ p l_n s t_ l__ n c h _s m_n y _s 4 6 , 0 0 0 s_t_l l_t_s _n t_ s p_c_ _v_r t h_ n_x t f_w y__ r s . T h_s _s f_v_ t_m_s m_r_ t h_n t h_ n_m b_r _f _b j_c t s s_n t _n t_ s p_c_ s_n c_ t h_ l__ n c h _f S p_t n_k 1 _n 1 9 5 7 , _v_r s_x d_c_d_s _g_. S_t_l l_t_s f r_m c_m p_n__ s l_k_ S p_c_X _n d A m_z_n w_l l p r_v_d_ m_c h f_s t_r I n t_r n_t s p__ d s t_ _v_n t h_ r_m_t_s t _r__ s _f t h_ w_r l d . T h_y w_l l p r_v_d_ g l_b_l c_n n_c t_v_t y _c r_s s t h_ g l_b_. E v_n t_d_y , _b__ t 1 4 m_l l__ n p__ p l_ _n t h_ U S A l_v_ _n r_r_l _r__ s w_t h z_r_ I n t_r n_t c_v_r_g_. S p_c_X w_l l l__ n c h 1 2 0 s_t_l l_t_s _n J_n__ r y _n d h_s p l_n s t_ s_n d _ f_r t h_r 1 2 , 0 0 0 _n t_ _r b_t _n t h_ n_x t d_c_d_. A s t r_p h y s_c_s t D r D_v_ C l_m_n t s c_l l_d t h_ _n_t__ t_v_ _ " t r_g_d y " .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    astronomers are concerned that our views of the heavens are becoming more and more obscured their warning comes ahead of a whole series of satellite launches by a variety of companies thousands of satellites are being launched into orbit throughout 2020 to make highspeed internet more readily available across the world from space the scientists say the skies will be so littered with arrays of satellites they will compete for our attention with the stars they say the satellites will link up to form megaconstellations that could interfere with radio astronomy and the quality of images from optical telescopes the astronomers said the satellites will appear as dazzling white streaks of light that could be mistaken for stars

    technology analysts say there are plans to launch as many as 46000 satellites into space over the next few years this is five times more than the number of objects sent into space since the launch of sputnik 1 in 1957 over six decades ago satellites from companies like spacex and amazon will provide much faster internet speeds to even the remotest areas of the world they will provide global connectivity across the globe even today about 14 million people in the usa live in rural areas with zero internet coverage spacex will launch 120 satellites in january and has plans to send a further 12000 into orbit in the next decade astrophysicist dr dave clements called the initiative a tragedy

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Astronomersareconcernedthatourviewsoftheheavensarebecoming
    moreandmoreobscured.Theirwarningcomesaheadofawholeseriesof
    satellitelaunchesbyavarietyofcompanies.Thousandsofsatellitesareb
    einglaunchedintoorbitthroughout2020tomakehigh-speedInternetm
    orereadilyavailableacrosstheworldfromspace.Thescientistssaythe
    skieswillbesolitteredwitharraysofsatellitestheywillcompeteforouratt
    entionwiththestars.Theysaythesatelliteswilllinkuptoform"mega-con
    stellations"thatcouldinterferewithradioastronomyandthequalityofi
    magesfromopticaltelescopes.Theastronomerssaidthesatelliteswilla
    ppearasdazzlingwhitestreaksoflightthatcouldbemistakenforstars.T
    echnologyanalystssaythereareplanstolaunchasmanyas46,000satell
    itesintospaceoverthenextfewyears.Thisisfivetimesmorethanthenu
    mberofobjectssentintospacesincethelaunchofSputnik1in1957,over
    sixdecadesago.SatellitesfromcompanieslikeSpaceXandAmazonwill
    providemuchfasterInternetspeedstoeventheremotestareasofthewo
    rld.Theywillprovideglobalconnectivityacrosstheglobe.Eventoday,ab
    out14millionpeopleintheUSAliveinruralareaswithzeroInternetcover
    age.SpaceXwilllaunch120satellitesinJanuaryandhasplanstosendafu
    rther12,000intoorbitinthenextdecade.AstrophysicistDrDaveCleme
    ntscalledtheinitiativea"tragedy".

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    We should not fill space with satellites and other equipment. 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. SATELLITES: Make a poster about satellites. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. SPACE JUNK: Write a magazine article about limiting the number of satellites put into space. 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 satellites. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions of putting 46,000 new satellites into space. 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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