Speaking

Useful Words and Expressions

The Universe:	the Earth;	Mars;
	the Moon;	Neptune;
	the Sun;	Saturn;
	Jupiter;	Uranus;
	Mercury;	Venus;
	the Solar system;	Star Galaxy;
	meteorite;	the Milky Way.
Space	(outer) space;	spaceport;
Technology and	space age/space flight/space	spacesuit;
Exploration:	travel;	to pick up signals;
	mission;	to send back a signal/an
	to explore/to investigate;	image;
	to go far into space;	to send into orbit;
	to go round the Moon/the Sun;	to take samples;
	to break off communication;	gravity;
	to land (on the Moon);	weightlessness;
	to launch a spaceship;	launch pad/launching pad.
	to map;
Space vehicles:	lunar research module; rover; satellite; spacelab;	spaceship; space probe; space shuttle.

People:	astronaut (Am.E.)/spaceman (used mainly by children); cosmonaut;	crew member; space enthusiast; aliens.
Adjectives:	celestial;	(extra)terrestrial;
	equidistant;	(un)inhabited;
	solar;	(un)manned.

Questions

Answer the following questions.

1. Have you or someone you know ever seen an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO)? Do you believe that creatures from outer space are visiting our planet? If so, what do they look like?

2. What do you know about Atlantis? Do you think it was real or just a legendary island?

3. The Yeti and Bigfoot are different names given to creatures who are believed to inhabit the Himalayan and the Cascade Mountains. Do you think they are imaginary or do they really exist? If they do, what are they - human beings or animals?

4. What is Easter Island famous for?

5. One of the most amazing structures in the world is England's Stonehedge. Have you ever heard of it? If so, what have you heard?

6. You have heard of the Loch Ness Monster, haven't you? What do scientists think about Nessie? What explanation can be given for her presence in Loch Ness?

7. Strange things have been happening in 'the Triangle of Death' or 'the Devil's Triangle' for many years. What is this part of the Atlantic Ocean called now?

8. Since 1960 many articles and books have been written about the Bermuda Triangle. Have you ever been fascinated about the subject? Can a logical explanation be given? Give your reasons.

9. Which of these places would you like to visit some day: Easter Island, Loch Ness, Stonehedge? Why?

10. What other unsolved mysteries (not mentioned in the questions) could you mention?

11. Who was the first to put forward the idea of interplanetary travel?

12. Which event marked the beginning of the era of space travel?

13. Which missions do you think were the most spectacular ones? Why?

14. It's only in fiction and in space movies that people spend long periods living more or less normally in space? Can life in space become a reality in future? What's your opinion?

15. Do you think we will ever know life forms from another planet?

16. Are you a space enthusiast? Have you ever dreamed of flying to distant planets? What do you think makes a good astronaut?

17. In what way can the data obtained with the help of satellites be helpful for the country's national economy?