Comprehension - Intermediate . [ 29 ]

[ 29 ] Comprehension . 

[  29  ] Intermediate 

Read the following , then answer the questions below :

                      The historical journey to the moon took place in July 1969 . As millions of people around the world watched on their TV the first man walk on the moon’s surface , scientists were busy drawing up plans for the next experiments . Since then , many other space-craft and astronauts have been seen into space , and huge sums of money have been invested in these expensive flights in order to collect as much information as possible about other planets .

                     However , many people began to doubt the value of space exploration when the astronauts came back from the moon with only some rocks and dust . A disappointing end to such an adventure ! No trace of precious metals , not even the simplest form of life . It was just a dead world . These people criticized strongly this waste of money by dreaming scientists when it could be better used here on earth .

                   In reply to this , scientists argued that our everyday life has already been improved by space exploration in many ways : new , lighter and stronger metals , better long-distance communications , more accurate electronic instruments are only a few examples . Another important aspect of space exploration is that it may lead us to discover new worlds where life is possible , as getting more and more crowded . If we succeeded in finding new sources of energy or if we were able to produce more food for the fast growing population on Earth , then the enormous sums of money spent on these experimental flights would not be wasted . In addition to this , the precious information scientists are collecting about the other planets may help man to solve some of the mysteries which surround the origin of our planet , the Earth . It may also help him find out why its atmosphere is slowly getting more and more polluted by carbon dioxide [ Co2 ] . In this way , the famous sentence of the first astronaut to land on the moon , “ a small step for the man, a giant leap for mankind” will have found its full meaning .

A-] Answer the following questions :

1-] Why were many people disillusioned after July 1969 ?

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2-] In your opinion how could money be better used on Earth ?

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3-] If life were possible on another planet , how would that affect people on Earth ?

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4-] What are the benefits of space exploration ?

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B-] Choose the correct answer :

1-] Huge sums of money have been invested in space flights to

A-] collect so much information about the moon . B-] collect information about other planets . C-] draw up plans for man on to live on  the moon .

D-] collect precious stones .

2-] Space-craft means

A-] planes . B-] spaceships . C-] rockets . D-] space exploration .

3-] People criticized the waste of money because

A-] it could be better used for entertainment . B-] it could be better used on earth . C-] it could be used for experimental flights . D-] it could upgrade space exploration.