Earth safe from asteroid hit for 100 years

 

Earth safe from asteroid hit for 100 years   

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQuzQY4syOU

Scientists from NASA have confirmed that asteroids will not be a danger to Earth for the next 100 years. This is good news for anyone who was worrying about the end of the world. NASA has been monitoring an asteroid called Apophis for 17 years. They discovered the 335-metre space rock in 2004. They thought it could be a danger to our planet, so they put it on their list of the most hazardous asteroids that could threaten Earth. The scientists originally said the asteroid could kill over 10 million people if it hit Earth. They predicted it could hit our planet in 2029. They later changed this to 2068. However, their latest prediction is that Earth will be safe from Apophis for the next 100 years.

The scientists used radar to predict the asteroid's orbit around the sun. NASA scientist Marina Brozovic said: "We were able to acquire incredibly precise information about its distance to an accuracy of about 150 meters." She said the giant space rock is currently "a safe distance of 10.6 million miles away from Earth". However, Apophis will come closer in 2029. It will come within 20,000 miles of Earth on April the 13th in that year. Another scientist was glad Apophis is no longer a danger to us. He said: "There's a certain sense of satisfaction to see it removed from the risk list, and we're looking forward to the science we might uncover during its close approach to Earth in 2029."

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?
       scientists / asteroids / good news / space / rock / hazardous / planet / prediction /
       radar / precise / information / distance / Earth / danger / satisfaction / approach
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. DEFENCE: Students A strongly believe we should spend more money on defending against asteroid strikes; Students B strongly believe this is a waste of money. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SPACE: What do you know about these celestial objects? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	What You Want to Know
The Sun
The Moon
Asteroids
Comets
Mars
Black holes

MY e-BOOK

See a sample

5. EARTH: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "Earth". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. DANGER: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest dangers to people at the top at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• Asteroid strikes
• Global warming
• Nuclear war
• Pandemics
• Overpopulation
• Robots and AI
• Hunger
• Aliens

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

1.	confirmed	a.	Risky or dangerous.
2.	monitoring	b.	Become aware of a fact or situation.
3.	discovered	c.	Checking something over a period of time.
4.	list	d.	A thing that is an estimate of something about the future.
5.	hazardous	e.	Said a report or fact is true.
6.	originally	f.	A number of connected things or names written or printed one below the other.
7.	prediction	g.	At first.

    Paragraph 2

8.	orbit	h.	Get.
9.	acquire	i.	How far it is from A to B.
10.	incredibly	j.	Happiness
11.	precise	k.	Very, very, very.
12.	distance	l.	Feeling
13.	sense	m.	Accurate.
14.	satisfaction	n.	The round path of a space object or spacecraft around a star, planet, or moon.

 

Before reading / listening

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

1. Scientists said an asteroid will hit Earth in 100 years from now.     T / F
2. Scientists started following an asteroid called Apophos 20 years ago.     T / F
3. The asteroid Apophos is on a hazardous asteroid list.     T / F
4. Scientists once thought Apophos could hit Earth in 2068.     T / F
5. Scientists used radar to track the sun's orbit around the asteroid.     T / F
6. Apophos is now 10.6 million from Earth.     T / F
7. The asteroid will come as close as 20,000 miles away in 2029.     T / F
8. A scientist is not satisfied the asteroid is not on the risk list.    T / F

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

1. danger
2. monitoring
3. threaten
4. predicted
5. safe
6. orbit
7. precise
8. currently
9. sense
10. uncover

1. endanger
2. feeling
3. path
4. watching
5. find
6. hazard
7. presently
8. forecast
9. accurate
10. secure

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

1. worrying about the end
2. NASA has been monitoring
3. they put it on
4. They predicted it could hit
5. for the next
6. predict the asteroid's orbit
7. incredibly precise
8. a safe distance of
9. a certain sense
10. removed from the risk

1. our planet in 2029
2. 100 years
3. list
4. information
5. their list
6. 10.6 million miles away
7. of the world
8. of satisfaction
9. an asteroid
10. around the sun

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

rock
hit
danger
end
next
threaten
later
list

Scientists from NASA have confirmed that asteroids will not be a (1) _____________________ to Earth for the next 100 years. This is good news for anyone who was worrying about the (2) _____________________ of the world. NASA has been monitoring an asteroid called Apophis for 17 years. They discovered the 335-metre space (3) _____________________ in 2004. They thought it could be a danger to our planet, so they put it on their (4) _____________________ of the most hazardous asteroids that could (5) _____________________ Earth. The scientists originally said the asteroid could kill over 10 million people if it (6) _____________________ Earth. They predicted it could hit our planet in 2029. They (7) _____________________ changed this to 2068. However, their latest prediction is that Earth will be safe from Apophis for the (8) _____________________ 100 years.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

precise
safe
close
within
giant
sense
orbit
danger

The scientists used radar to predict the asteroid's (9) _____________________ around the sun. NASA scientist Marina Brozovic said: "We were able to acquire incredibly (10) _____________________ information about its distance to an accuracy of about 150 meters." She said the (11) _____________________ space rock is currently "a (12) _____________________ distance of 10.6 million miles away from Earth". However, Apophis will come closer in 2029. It will come (13) _____________________ 20,000 miles of Earth on April the 13th in that year. Another scientist was glad Apophis is no longer a (14) _____________________ to us. He said: "There's a certain (15) _____________________ of satisfaction to see it removed from the risk list, and we're looking forward to the science we might uncover during its (16) _____________________ approach to Earth in 2029."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Scientists from NASA have confirmed that asteroids will not ______
     a.  be a dangers
     b.  be in danger
     c.  be endanger
     d.  be a danger
2)  This is good news for anyone who was worrying ______
     a.  about an end
     b.  about then end
     c.  about the end
     d.  about their end
3)  they put it on their list of the most hazardous asteroids that ______
     a.  could threatens Earth
     b.  could threaten Earth
     c.  could threatened Earth
     d.  could threat on Earth
4)  The scientists originally said the asteroid could kill over ______
     a.  10 million people
     b.  10 billion people
     c.  100 millions people
     d.  100 million people
5)  However, their latest prediction is that Earth will be ______
     a.  safe for Apophis
     b.  safe of Apophis
     c.  safe far Apophis
     d.  safe from Apophis

6)  The scientists used radar to predict the ______
     a.  asteroid's all bit
     b.  asteroid's orbit
     c.  asteroid's or bit
     d.  asteroid's orb it
7)  We were able to acquire incredibly precise information ______
     a.  about that distance
     b.  about it distance
     c.  about this distance
     d.  about its distance
8)  Apophis will come closer in 2029. It will come ______
     a.  within 12,000 miles
     b.  within 2,000 miles
     c.  within 20,000 miles
     d.  within 200,000 miles
9)  Another scientist was glad Apophis is no longer a ______
     a.  danger too us
     b.  danger two us
     c.  danger to us
     d.  danger tours
10)  removed from the risk list, and we're looking forward to the science ______
     a.  we might on cover
     b.  we might not cover
     c.  we might uncover
     d.  we might in cover

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Scientists from NASA have confirmed (1) ____________________ not be a danger to Earth for the next 100 years. This is (2) ____________________ anyone who was worrying about the end of the world. NASA has been monitoring (3) ____________________ Apophis for 17 years. They discovered the 335-metre space rock in 2004. They thought it could be a danger to our planet, so they put it (4) ____________________ of the most hazardous asteroids that could threaten Earth. The scientists originally said the asteroid could kill over 10 million people (5) ____________________ Earth. They predicted it could hit our planet in 2029. They later changed this to 2068. However, their (6) ____________________ that Earth will be safe from Apophis for the next 100 years.

The scientists used (7) ____________________ the asteroid's orbit around the sun. NASA scientist Marina Brozovic said: "We were able to acquire incredibly precise information about its distance (8) ____________________ of about 150 meters." She said the giant space (9) ____________________ "a safe distance of 10.6 million miles away from Earth". However, Apophis will (10) ____________________ 2029. It will come within 20,000 miles of Earth on April the 13th in that year. Another scientist was glad Apophis is (11) ____________________ danger to us. He said: "There's a certain sense of satisfaction to see it removed from the risk list, and we're looking forward to the science we might uncover during its (12) ____________________ Earth in 2029."

Comprehension questions

1. What kind of news does the article say there is?
2. What are some people worrying about?
3. How big is the asteroid?
4. How many people did scientists say could die in an asteroid strike?
5. When did scientists change the date of an asteroid strike to?
6. What did scientists use to track the asteroid's orbit around the sun?
7. How accurately can scientists' track the asteroid's path?
8. How far away is the asteroid from Earth?
9. When will the asteroid be 20,000 miles from Earth?
10. How did a scientist feel about the asteroid's removal from a risk list?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of news does the article say there is?
a) brilliant news
b) space news
c) good news
d) sad news
2) What are some people worrying about?
a) the end of the world
b) asteroids
c) space
d) space dust allergies
3) How big is the asteroid?
a) 335 metres
b) 355 metres
c) 333 metres
d) 353 metres
4) How many people did scientists say could die in an asteroid strike?
a) exactly 10 million
b) over 10 million
c) around 10 million
d) just under 10 million
5) When did scientists change the date of an asteroid strike to?
a) 2065
b) 2066
c) 2067
d) 2068

6) What did scientists use to track the asteroid's orbit around the sun?
a) a compass
b) radar
c) lasers
d) maths
7) How accurately can scientists' track the asteroid's path?
a) to within 150 metres
b) to within 250 metres
c) to within 350 metres
d) to within 550 metres
8) How far away is the asteroid from Earth?
a) 10.4 million miles away
b) 10.2 million miles away
c) 10.6 million miles away
d) 10.8 million miles away
9) When will the asteroid be 20,000 miles from Earth?
a) in 2100
b) in 2099
c) in 2068
d) in 2029
10) How did a scientist feel about the asteroid's removal from a risk list?
a) satisfied
b) sad
c) angry
d) confused

Role play

Role  A – Asteroid Strikes You think asteroid strikes are the biggest danger to humans. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as dangerous. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): global warming, pandemics or aliens.

Role  B – Global Warming You think global warming is the biggest danger to humans. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as dangerous. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): asteroid strikes, pandemics or aliens.

Role  C – Pandemics You think pandemics are the biggest danger to humans. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as dangerous. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): global warming, asteroid strikes or aliens.

Role  D – Aliens You think aliens are the biggest danger to humans. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as dangerous. Also, tell the others which is the least dangerous of these (and why): global warming, pandemics or asteroid strikes.

Discussion - NASA and Asteroids

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 'asteroid'?
3. What do you know about asteroids?
4. Why might an asteroid be dangerous?
5. What might bring about the end of the world?
6. What was the last good news you saw or read about?
7. How interested are you in space?
8. What would it be like to work for NASA?
9. What are your predictions for 2029?
10. How safe is our planet?

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

11. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12. What do you think of when you hear the word 'Earth'?
13. What do you think about what you read?
14. What do you want to know about asteroids?
15. What would happen if an asteroid hit Earth?
16. What would you do if you knew an asteroid would hit Earth tomorrow?
17. What is an asteroid?
18. What three adjectives best describe this story?
19. What science might scientists uncover from a passing asteroid?
20. What questions would you like to ask the scientists?
    
    

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

Scientists from NASA have (1) ____ that asteroids will not be a danger to Earth for the next 100 years. This is good news (2) ____ anyone who was worrying about the end of the world. NASA has been (3) ____ an asteroid called Apophis for 17 years. They discovered the 335-metre space rock in 2004. They thought it could be a danger to our planet, so they put it on their (4) ____ of the most hazardous asteroids that could threaten Earth. The scientists originally said the asteroid could (5) ____ over 10 million people if it hit Earth. They predicted it could hit our planet in 2029. They later changed this to 2068. However, their latest prediction is that Earth will be (6) ____ from Apophis for the next 100 years.

The scientists used radar to (7) ____ the asteroid's orbit around the sun. NASA scientist Marina Brozovic said: "We were able to acquire incredibly precise information about its distance to an (8) ____ of about 150 meters." She said the giant space rock is currently "a safe (9) ____ of 10.6 million miles away from Earth". However, Apophis will come closer in 2029. It will come within 20,000 miles of Earth on April the 13th in (10) ____ year. Another scientist was glad Apophis is no longer a danger to us. He said: "There's a certain (11) ____ of satisfaction to see it removed from the risk list, and we're looking forward to the science we might uncover during its close approach (12) ____ Earth in 2029."

Which of these words go in the above text?

1. (a)     conformed     (b)     confined     (c)     confirmed     (d)     conferred    
2. (a)     for     (b)     as     (c)     on     (d)     at    
3. (a)     monitoring     (b)     monitors     (c)     monitored     (d)     monitor    
4. (a)     list     (b)     lest     (c)     last     (d)     lest    
5. (a)     die     (b)     kill     (c)     suicide     (d)     murder    
6. (a)     safes     (b)     safely     (c)     safety     (d)     safe    
7. (a)     predictive     (b)     prediction     (c)     predict     (d)     predicts    
8. (a)     acculturate     (b)     accurately     (c)     accurate     (d)     accuracy    
9. (a)     distance     (b)     distant     (c)     far     (d)     travel    
10. (a)     that     (b)     them     (c)     then     (d)     those    
11. (a)     sensor     (b)     sense     (c)     sensory     (d)     cents    
12. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     to     (d)     in

Spelling

Paragraph 1

1. Scientists from NASA have ncrodfime that
2. NASA has been mntionrogi an asteroid
3. They seddivrceo the 335-metre space rock
4. the most suaohzdra asteroids
5. The scientists iolgnarily said
6. their latest ritcpioned

Paragraph 2

7. the asteroid's oirtb around the sun
8. incredibly sipceer information
9. to an cucyacra of about 150 meters
10. a safe ictsndae
11. a certain sense of tssnfiicaato
12. its close apohpacr to Earth in 2029