Summative Assessment for the unit “Virtual Reality”

Reading

Next Stop … Mars?

Chairperson: Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Space Society.

To live in the 21st century is to live in an age where communication and technology seem to rule our

world. And almost inevitably we find ourselves thinking about human settlements of other planets.

Tonight the topic of our debate is The colonisation of other planets. Here with us we have Dr

Timothy Brown and Dr Sandra Wilkins. Dr. Brown, may I ask you to speak first?

Dr Brown: Thank you. Let me start by making one thing clear; colonization of other planets is

certain, it’s only the matter of time …oh, and of course money. To build a spaceship capable of

carrying hundreds of people is not cheap… However, once built, all a spaceship needs is enough

fuel, food, water and oxygen, and colonisation becomes a reality. I see three steps to colonisation.

First, we need to know how to live in space, and, thanks to the International Space station, this step

is already achieved. The next logical step is to establish a colony on the Moon, and then, step three,

on Mars, our nearest planet. Imagine how much we can discover about a planet by living there.

Imagine also, if we set up powerful telescopes on the Moon or Mars, how much more we can learn

about the universe. It is mankind’s destiny to colonise other planets. We must not fail in this

challenge.

Chairperson: Thank you, thank you, Dr Brown. And now, may I ask Dr Sandra Wilkins to speak.

Dr Wilkins: Thank you. And thank you to Dr Brown for that interesting speech. I am glad the good

doctor referred to money. Just think for a moment how much money colonisation of the Moon and

Mars, or other planet, would take. Billions and billions and billions of dollars… to put a handful of

people on a dead planet. The fact is colonisation is just too expensive. People may talk of huge

resources of copper, diamonds and other precious minerals on other planets. But no one knows they

are there. We should spend the money on this planet, on feeding people and protecting Earth’s

environment, rather than make foolish and costly trips into space.

Chairperson: Many thanks, Dr Wilkins. And now, are there any questions from the audience?

Yes, the lady over there…

Read the text and answer the questions:

1. What is the topic of the debate?______________________________________________

2. How many steps to colonisation does Dr. Brown see? ____________________________

3. According to Dr.Wilkins how much money would colonisation of the Moon and the Mars take? _____________________________________________________________________

4. What does Dr. Wilkins suggest? __

4points

Writing

Write a book review. Your school English magazine is asking for book reviews. Write your review describing the plot, giving general comments about the book and saying why you recommend it (120-180words)

6points

Total 10points