Breaking News English Lesson: Asteroids

Home | Help This Site

NASA spacecraft hits asteroid in Earth-protection test (29th September, 2022)

The Reading / Listening - Asteroids - Level 3

Hollywood has made many sci-fi movies about asteroids crashing into Earth and destroying us all. The U.S. space agency NASA may have an answer to this end-of-the-world possibility. It has tested a spacecraft that could change the direction of an asteroid that might hit our planet. The spacecraft is called DART, which means Double Asteroid Redirection Test. The $325m craft set off on its journey in November 2021. Its goal was to crash into an asteroid called Dimorphos. The mission was a success. DART collided with the centre of the asteroid at 24,000 kph on Monday. Scientists do not yet know if they have changed the asteroid's direction. They will find out from data they will get in a few weeks' time.

It is the first time that humans have tried to change the direction of a space object. NASA spokesperson Glen Nagle said DART was the first of many "planetary protection missions". He compared our chances of surviving an asteroid hit to the end of the dinosaurs. He said: "We want to have a better chance than the dinosaurs had 65 million years ago." He added that in pre-history, all the dinosaurs could do was to "look up and say, 'Oh asteroid'". Another spokesperson, Lori Glaze, said DART represented a "new era for humankind". She said: "It's an era in which we potentially have the capability to protect ourselves from something like a dangerous, hazardous asteroid impact."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Asteroids - Level 0, Asteroids - Level 1 or Asteroids - Level 2

Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/sep/26/nasa-spacecraft-asteroid-crash-planetary-defense-test
https://www.fox13now.com/news/national/nasa-ready-to-see-if-crashing-a-spacecraft-can-alter-asteroids-path
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nasa-successfully-smacked-its-dart-impactor-spacecraft-into-an-asteroid-231706710.html

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

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?
Hollywood / sci-fi / asteroids / space / planet / journey / crash / scientists / data /
the first time / humans / protection / surviving / dinosaurs / a new era / humankind
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. PROTECTION: Students A strongly believe all countries should pay NASA to protect Earth from asteroids; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SPACE: What do you know about these things? Are they a danger to Earth? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What I Know	How Dangerous?
Asteroids
Comets
Black holes
Space dust
The Sun
Satellites

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

5. SCI-FI: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "sci-fi". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. END OF THE WORLD: Rank these with your partner. Put the things most likely to end our world at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

An asteroid hit
Nuclear war
Climate change
Alien invasion
Hunger
Viruses
Loss of species
A tsunami

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	sci-fi	a.	An action of travelling from one place to another.
2.	destroying	b.	A course or route along which someone or something moves.
3.	direction	c.	End or killing something by damaging or attacking it.
4.	planet	d.	Facts and numbers collected together to look at and make a report.
5.	journey	e.	Stories or storytelling about the future, space, time travel and life on other planets.
6.	mission	f.	A huge object in space that moves around a star (sun).
7.	data	g.	An important and special job given to a person or group of people, often involving travel abroad or into space.

Paragraph 2

8.	protection	h.	A possibility that something might happen.
9.	chance	i.	A long and clear period of history.
10.	surviving	j.	Risky or very dangerous.
11.	dinosaur	k.	Continuing to live or exist, especially where there is danger or hard times.
12.	era	l.	The power or ability to do something.
13.	capability	m.	The huge animals that lived on Earth before humans.
14.	hazardous	n.	The action of keeping something safe from danger or harm.

Before reading / listening

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

Hollywood made a sci-fi movie about the asteroid test. T / F
The NASA spacecraft is called DRAT. T / F
The spacecraft hit the asteroid at a speed of 24,000 kph. T / F
NASA will know if the asteroid changed direction in a few days. T / F
Scientists changed the direction of an asteroid 10 years ago. T / F
The dinosaurs didn't have much luck 65 million years ago. T / F
NASA said the test represented a new era for humankind. T / F
NASA said we might be able to protect ourselves from asteroid hits. T / F

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

crashing
end-of-the-world
journey
centre
direction
spokesperson
chances
era
capability
impact

age
middle
representative
crash
Armageddon
possibilities
smashing
power
trip
route

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

Hollywood has made many sci-fi movies
change the direction
The $325m craft set
The mission
data they will get in
the first of many planetary
our chances of
all the dinosaurs could do was
a new era
have the capability

protection missions
was a success
to look up
of an asteroid
to protect ourselves
a few weeks' time
about asteroids
for humankind
off on its journey
surviving an asteroid hit

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

planet
journey
sci-fi
data
direction
agency
collided
means

Hollywood has made many (1) _____________________ movies about asteroids crashing into Earth and destroying us all. The U.S. space (2) _____________________ NASA may have an answer to this end-of-the-world possibility. It has tested a spacecraft that could change the (3) _____________________ of an asteroid that might hit our (4) _____________________. The spacecraft is called DART, which (5) _____________________ Double Asteroid Redirection Test. The $325m craft set off on its (6) _____________________ in November 2021. Its goal was to crash into an asteroid called Dimorphos. The mission was a success. DART (7) _____________________ with the centre of the asteroid at 24,000 kph on Monday. Scientists do not yet know if they have changed the asteroid's direction. They will find out from (8) _____________________ they will get in a few weeks' time.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

surviving
direction
protect
dinosaurs
era
protection
dangerous
chance

It is the first time that humans have tried to change the (9) _____________________ of a space object. NASA spokesperson Glen Nagle said DART was the first of many "planetary (10) _____________________ missions". He compared our chances of (11) _____________________ an asteroid hit to the end of the dinosaurs. He said: "We want to have a better (12) _____________________ than the dinosaurs had 65 million years ago." He added that in pre-history, all the (13) _____________________ could do was to "look up and say, 'Oh asteroid'". Another spokesperson, Lori Glaze, said DART represented a "new (14) _____________________ for humankind". She said: "It's an era in which we potentially have the capability to (15) _____________________ ourselves from something like a (16) _____________________, hazardous asteroid impact."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Hollywood has made many sci-fi movies about asteroids ______
     a. crushing into Earth
     b. crashing into Earth
     c. clashing into Earth
     d. cashing into Earth
2) a spacecraft that could change the direction of an asteroid that might ______
     a. hits our planet
     b. hit your planet
     c. hit our planet
     d. hit our plant
3) The mission was a success. DART collided ______
     a. with the central
     b. with the sent tar
     c. with the centre
     d. with the cent tar
4) Scientists do not yet know if they have changed ______
     a. the asteroid's directing
     b. the asteroid's director
     c. the asteroid's direct shun
     d. the asteroid's direction
5) They will find out from data they will get in a ______
     a. few weeks' time
     b. few weeks' timing
     c. few weeks' timer
     d. few weeks' times

6) It is the first time that humans have tried to change the direction of ______
     a. a space object
     b. a space subject
     c. a space inject
     d. a space reject
7) He compared our chances of surviving an asteroid hit to the end ______
     a. off the dinosaurs
     b. of the dinosaurs
     c. of the dinosaur
     d. off the dinosaur
8) all the dinosaurs could do was to look up and ______
     a. slay, 'Oh asteroid'
   b. say, 'Oh asteroid'
     c. soy, 'Oh asteroid'
     d. spray, 'Oh asteroid'
9) spokesperson, Lori Glaze, said DART represented a "new ______"
     a. aura for humankind
     b. era for humankind
     c. error for humankind
     d. ear for humankind
10) protect ourselves from something like a dangerous, ______
     a. hazard dust-asteroid impact
     b. hideous asteroid impact
     c. hazy dust asteroid impact
     d. hazardous asteroid impact

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Hollywood has (1) ____________________ movies about asteroids crashing into Earth and (2) ____________________. The U.S. space agency NASA may have an answer to this end-of-the-world possibility. It has tested a spacecraft that could change the direction of an asteroid that might (3) ____________________. The spacecraft is called DART, which means Double Asteroid Redirection Test. The $325m craft (4) ____________________ its journey in November 2021. Its goal was to crash into an asteroid called Dimorphos. The mission was a success. DART (5) ____________________ centre of the asteroid at 24,000 kph on Monday. Scientists do not yet know if they have changed the asteroid's direction. They will find out from data they will get in (6) ____________________ time.

It is the (7) ____________________ humans have tried to change the direction of (8) ____________________. NASA spokesperson Glen Nagle said DART was the first of many "planetary protection missions". He compared our chances of surviving an asteroid hit to (9) ____________________ the dinosaurs. He said: "We want to have a better chance than the dinosaurs had 65 million years ago." He added (10) ____________________, all the dinosaurs could do was to "look up and say, 'Oh asteroid'". Another spokesperson, Lori Glaze, said DART represented a "new era for humankind". She said: "It's (11) ____________________ which we potentially have the capability to protect ourselves from something (12) ____________________, hazardous asteroid impact."

Comprehension questions

What has made many movies about asteroids hitting Earth?
How much did the spacecraft cost?
When was DART launched?
How fast was DART travelling when it crashed into the asteroid?
When will NASA get data about the spacecraft?
Who is Glen Nagle?
What did Mr Nagle compare the chances of surviving an asteroid hit to?
When did the dinosaurs die out?
Who did a NASA spokesperson say DART represented a new era to?
What did NASA say we have the capability to do?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What has made many movies about asteroids hitting Earth?
a) NASA
b) Hollywood
c) an asteroid company
d) a university
2) How much did the spacecraft cost?
a) $352 million
b) $235 million
c) $523 million
d) $325 million
3) When was DART launched?
a) November 2020
b) November 2019
c) November 2021
d) November 2012
4) How fast was DART travelling when it crashed into the asteroid?
a) 24,000 kph
b) 25,000 kph
c) 22,000 kph
d) 28,000 kph
5) When will NASA get data about the spacecraft?
a) tomorrow
b) in a few weeks' time
c) next month
d) next year

6) Who is Glen Nagle?
a) a NASA spokesperson
b) an astronaut
c) a scientist
d) the designer of the DART spacecraft
7) What did Mr Nagle compare the chances of surviving an asteroid hit to?
a) a black hole
b) global warming
c) the end of the dinosaurs
d) roulette
8) When did the dinosaurs die out?
a) 65 million years ago
b) 64 million years ago
c) 63 million years ago
d) 62 million years ago
9) Who did a NASA spokesperson say DART represented a new era to?
a) scientists
b) asteroid researchers
c) aliens
d) humankind
10) What did NASA say we have the capability to do?
a) mine asteroids
b) destroy asteroids
c) protect ourselves
d) talk to aliens

Role play

Role A – An Asteroid
You think an asteroid is the think most likely to end our world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are not as dangerous. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): climate change, a virus or nuclear war.

Role B – Climate Change
You think climate change is the think most likely to end our world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are not as dangerous. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): climate change, a virus or nuclear war: an asteroid, a virus or nuclear war.

Role C – A Virus
You think a virus is the think most likely to end our world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are not as dangerous. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): climate change, a virus or nuclear war: climate change, an asteroid or nuclear war.

Role D – Nuclear War
You think nuclear war is the think most likely to end our world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things are not as dangerous. Also, tell the others which is the least worrying of these (and why): climate change, a virus or nuclear war: climate change, a virus or an asteroid.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'asteroid'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'Earth'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

Hollywood

answer

called

crash

centre

few

first

compared

65

say

era

dangerous

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Asteroids

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'asteroid'?
What do you know about asteroids?
What do you think of science fiction movies?
What are your favourite Hollywood movies?
Do you worry about the end of the world?
What would you do if an asteroid was going to hit?
How interested are you in space?
Would you like to go into space?
What three adjectives best describe this story?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'Earth'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you know about NASA?
What other dangers are there to our planet?
How did the dinosaurs die out?
What do you know about pre-history?
Do you think there will be wars in space?
Do you think we will live on other planets?
What questions would you like to ask NASA?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

Hollywood has made (1) ____ sci-fi movies about asteroids crashing into Earth and destroying us all. The U.S. space agency NASA may have an (2) ____ to this end-of-the-world possibility. It has tested a spacecraft that could change the (3) ____ of an asteroid that might hit our planet. The spacecraft is called DART, which means Double Asteroid Redirection Test. The $325m craft set (4) ____ on its journey in November 2021. Its goal was to crash into an asteroid called Dimorphos. The mission was a success. DART (5) ____ with the centre of the asteroid at 24,000 kph on Monday. Scientists do not yet know if they have changed the asteroid's direction. They will find out from data they will get in a few weeks' (6) ____.

It is the first time that humans have tried to change the direction of a space (7) ____. NASA spokesperson Glen Nagle said DART was the first of many "planetary protection missions". He compared our chances (8) ____ surviving an asteroid hit to the end of the dinosaurs. He said: "We want to have a better chance than the dinosaurs (9) ____ 65 million years ago." He added that in pre-history, all the dinosaurs could do was to "look up and (10) ____, 'Oh asteroid'". Another spokesperson, Lori Glaze, said DART represented a "new (11) ____ for humankind". She said: "It's an era in which we potentially have the capability to protect ourselves from something like a dangerous, hazardous asteroid (12) ____."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) much (b) may (c) many (d) something
(a) answer (b) any (c) asteroid (d) agency
(a) direction (b) reaction (c) ambition (d) eruption
(a) off (b) on (c) up (d) to
(a) allied (b) collided (c) relied (d) filed
(a) advance (b) now (c) future (d) time
(a) subject (b) reject (c) object (d) inject
(a) to (b) on (c) at (d) of
(a) had (b) has (c) having (d) have
(a) say (b) talk (c) sing (d) voice
(a) ear (b) era (c) error (d) ore
(a) compact (b) pact (c) impact (d) suspect

Spelling

Paragraph 1

iic-sf movies
odgtnsriey us all
change the toierindc of an asteroid
set off on its reynjuo
The ssnimio was a success
DART deodcill with the centre

Paragraph 2

planetary opotctrein missions
vvisingur an asteroid hit
a better chance than the ssnoruida had
represented a new era for dniamhnku
the ipabcialty to protect ourselves
something like a dangerous, asdarzuoh asteroid

Put the text back together

(...) era for humankind". She said: "It's an era in which we potentially have the capability to
(...) 65 million years ago." He added that in pre-history, all the dinosaurs could do was to "look up and
(...) NASA may have an answer to this end-of-the-world possibility. It has tested a spacecraft that could change the
(...) Redirection Test. The $325m craft set off on its journey in November 2021. Its goal was to crash into an
(...) direction. They will find out from data they will get in a few weeks' time.
(...) direction of an asteroid that might hit our planet. The spacecraft is called DART, which means Double Asteroid
(...) spokesperson Glen Nagle said DART was the first of many "planetary protection missions". He compared our
(...) It is the first time that humans have tried to change the direction of a space object. NASA
( 1 ) Hollywood has made many sci-fi movies about asteroids crashing into Earth and destroying us all. The U.S. space agency
(...) chances of surviving an asteroid hit to the end of the dinosaurs. He said: "We want to have a better chance than the dinosaurs had
(...) asteroid called Dimorphos. The mission was a success. DART collided with the centre
(...) of the asteroid at 24,000 kph on Monday. Scientists do not yet know if they have changed the asteroid's
(...) protect ourselves from something like a dangerous, hazardous asteroid impact."
(...) say, 'Oh asteroid'". Another spokesperson, Lori Glaze, said DART represented a "new

Put the words in the right order

sci-fi asteroids Many Earth . into about crashing movies
to have this answer They possibility . end-of-the-world an
planet . our that An hit asteroid might
was asteroid . goal Its to into crash an
weeks . few they get Data will a in
time tried . It's humans first have the that
our compared of He asteroid chances surviving hits .
dinosaurs . a Have the better than chance
era DART represented a humankind . for new
have potentially ourselves . the capability protect We to

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Hollywood has made many sci-fi movies about asteroids cashing / crashing into Earth and destroying us every / all. The U.S. space agency NASA may have an answer to this end-of-the-world possibility / possible. It has tested a spacecraft that could change the direction of an asteroid that might hit our plant / planet. The spacecraft is called DART, which means Double Asteroid Redirection Test. The $325m craft set off / on on its journey in November 2021. Its goal was to crash into an asteroid calling / called Dimorphos. The mission was a success / successful. DART collided with the centre of the asteroid at 24,000 kph on Monday. Scientists do not yet / yeti know if they have changed the asteroid's direction / direct. They will find out from data they will get in a few weeks' months / time.

It is the first / once time that humans have tried to change the direction of a space subject / object. NASA spokesperson Glen Nagle said DART was the fast / first of many "planetary protection missions". He compared our chances of surviving / survival an asteroid hit to the end / ended of the dinosaurs. He said: "We want to have a better change / chance than the dinosaurs had 65 million years ago." He added that in pre-history, all the dinosaurs could do was to "look up and speak / say, 'Oh asteroid'". Another spokesperson, Lori Glaze, said DART represented a "new era / aura for humankind". She said: "It's an era in which we potentially do / have the capability to protect ourselves from something like a dangerous, hazardous asteroid impact / compact."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

H_llyw__d h_s m_d_ m_ny sc_-f_ m_v__s _b__t _st_r__ds cr_sh_ng _nt_ __rth _nd d_str_y_ng _s _ll. Th_ _.S. sp_c_ _g_ncy N_S_ m_y h_v_ _n _nsw_r t_ th_s _nd-_f-th_-w_rld p_ss_b_l_ty. _t h_s t_st_d _ sp_c_cr_ft th_t c__ld ch_ng_ th_ d_r_ct__n _f _n _st_r__d th_t m_ght h_t __r pl_n_t. Th_ sp_c_cr_ft _s c_ll_d D_RT, wh_ch m__ns D__bl_ _st_r__d R_d_r_ct__n T_st. Th_ $325m cr_ft s_t _ff _n _ts j__rn_y _n N_v_mb_r 2021. _ts g__l w_s t_ cr_sh _nt_ _n _st_r__d c_ll_d D_m_rph_s. Th_ m_ss__n w_s _ s_cc_ss. D_RT c_ll_d_d w_th th_ c_ntr_ _f th_ _st_r__d _t 24,000 kph _n M_nd_y. Sc__nt_sts d_ n_t y_t kn_w _f th_y h_v_ ch_ng_d th_ _st_r__d's d_r_ct__n. Th_y w_ll f_nd __t fr_m d_t_ th_y w_ll g_t _n _ f_w w__ks' t_m_.

_t _s th_ f_rst t_m_ th_t h_m_ns h_v_ tr__d t_ ch_ng_ th_ d_r_ct__n _f _ sp_c_ _bj_ct. N_S_ sp_k_sp_rs_n Gl_n N_gl_ s__d D_RT w_s th_ f_rst _f m_ny "pl_n_t_ry pr_t_ct__n m_ss__ns". H_ c_mp_r_d __r ch_nc_s _f s_rv_v_ng _n _st_r__d h_t t_ th_ _nd _f th_ d_n_s__rs. H_ s__d: "W_ w_nt t_ h_v_ _ b_tt_r ch_nc_ th_n th_ d_n_s__rs h_d 65 m_ll__n y__rs _g_." H_ _dd_d th_t _n pr_-h_st_ry, _ll th_ d_n_s__rs c__ld d_ w_s t_ "l__k _p _nd s_y, '_h _st_r__d'". _n_th_r sp_k_sp_rs_n, L_r_ Gl_z_, s__d D_RT r_pr_s_nt_d _ "n_w _r_ f_r h_m_nk_nd". Sh_ s__d: "_t's _n _r_ _n wh_ch w_ p_t_nt__lly h_v_ th_ c_p_b_l_ty t_ pr_t_ct __rs_lv_s fr_m s_m_th_ng l_k_ _ d_ng_r__s, h_z_rd__s _st_r__d _mp_ct."

Punctuate the text and add capitals

hollywood has made many scifi movies about asteroids crashing into earth and destroying us all the us space agency nasa may have an answer to this endoftheworld possibility it has tested a spacecraft that could change the direction of an asteroid that might hit our planet the spacecraft is called dart which means double asteroid redirection test the 325m craft set off on its journey in november 2021 its goal was to crash into an asteroid called dimorphos the mission was a success dart collided with the centre of the asteroid at 24000 kph on monday scientists do not yet know if they have changed the asteroids direction they will find out from data they will get in a few weeks time

it is the first time that humans have tried to change the direction of a space object nasa spokesperson glen nagle said dart was the first of many planetary protection missions he compared our chances of surviving an asteroid hit to the end of the dinosaurs he said we want to have a better chance than the dinosaurs had 65 million years ago he added that in prehistory all the dinosaurs could do was to look up and say oh asteroid another spokesperson lori glaze said dart represented a new era for humankind she said its an era in which we potentially have the capability to protect ourselves from something like a dangerous hazardous asteroid impact

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Hollywoodhasmademanysci-fimoviesaboutasteroidscrashingintoEa
rthanddestroyingusall.TheU.S.spaceagencyNASAmayhaveanansw
ertothisend-of-the-worldpossibility.Ithastestedaspacecraftthatc
ouldchangethedirectionofanasteroidthatmighthitourplanet.Thespa
cecraftiscalledDART,whichmeansDoubleAsteroidRedirectionTest.T
he$325mcraftsetoffonitsjourneyinNovember2021.Itsgoalwastocra
shintoanasteroidcalledDimorphos.Themissionwasasuccess.DARTco
llidedwiththecentreoftheasteroidat24,000kphonMonday.Scientists
donotyetknowiftheyhavechangedtheasteroid'sdirection.Theywillfin
doutfromdatatheywillgetinafewweeks'time.Itisthefirsttimethathum
anshavetriedtochangethedirectionofaspaceobject.NASAspokespers
onGlenNaglesaidDARTwasthefirstofmany"planetaryprotectionmissi
ons".Hecomparedourchancesofsurvivinganasteroidhittotheendofth
edinosaurs.Hesaid:"Wewanttohaveabetterchancethanthedinosaurs
had65millionyearsago."Headdedthatinpre-history,allthedinosau
rscoulddowasto"lookupandsay,'Ohasteroid'".Anotherspokesperson
,LoriGlaze,saidDARTrepresenteda"neweraforhumankind".Shesaid:
"It'sanerainwhichwepotentiallyhavethecapabilitytoprotectourselve
sfromsomethinglikeadangerous,hazardousasteroidimpact."

Free writing

Write about asteroid for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

It is very important that we can protect Earth from asteroids. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. ASTEROIDS: Make a poster about asteroids. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. EARTH PROTECTION: Write a magazine article about spending lots of money on protecting Earth from asteroids. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on asteroids. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to protect Earth from asteroids. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Back to the top

Help Support This Web Site

Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Download a sample of my book "1,000 Ideas & Activities for Language Teachers".

Breaking News English Lesson: Asteroids

Home | Help This Site

PRINT

LISTEN

READ

GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS