Lesson Plan: Recipe for a Small Planet
II. While Reading Tasks
Word Inference
- veritable |ˈvəritəbəl| adjective [ attrib. ] used as an intensifier, often to qualify a metaphor: the early 1970s witnessed a veritable price explosion.
- astronomers |əˈstränəmər| noun-an expert in or student of astronomy.
- cosmic |ˈkäzmik| adjective-of or relating to the universe or cosmos, esp. as distinct from the earth: cosmic matter.
- detected |diˈtekt| verb-discover or identify the presence or existence of: cancer may soon be detected in its earliest stages.
- clue |klo͞o| noun -a fact or idea that serves as a guide or aid in a task or problem: archaeological evidence can give clues about the past.
- potential |pəˈtenCHəl| adjective-having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future: a two-pronged campaign to woo potential customers.
- detailed |diˈtāld, ˈdēˌtāld| adjective-having many details or facts; showing attention to detail: more detailed information was needed.
- concept |ˈkänˌsept| noun-an abstract idea; a general notion: structuralism is a difficult concept | the concept of justice.
- habitable |ˈhabitəbəl| adjective-suitable or good enough to live in.
- complements |ˈkämpləmənt| verb [ with obj. ] add to (something) in a way that enhances or improves it; make perfect: a classic blazer complements a look that’s stylish or casual.
Reading Comprehension
True /False/NA-Statements
- F- NASA’s Kepler spacecraft, is in its fifth year of seeking out the planets circling other stars.
- T-Scientists found a set of small planets with densities and compositions almost exactly like those of Earth.
- NA-Alien life was discovered on one small planet.
- F- The job of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite will be to find Goldilocks planets closer to home.
- T- The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite will be launched in 2017.
- T- Scientist Karl Stapelfeldt heads a group at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
- T- One of the main goals of these studies is to have any chance of seeing signs of life on terrestrial planets.
- T- For all of Kepler’s bounty, a planet like Earth, of the same size orbiting the same type of star, has not yet been confirmed.
- NA-By the year 2020 scientists will definitely know that there is life on other planets.
- T-An Italian telescope in the Canary Islands is used to measure planets’ masses to determine their densities.
Grammar Focus
Structure and Usage
I-1-are
As the ranks of these planets grow, astronomers are planning the next step.
II-3-have
And yet we still do not have a clue that we are not alone.
III-3-in
Both studies are expected to be completed in the next few months.
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