Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Teacher: So you've got a few minutes to discuss with your partner.
Student 1: So, as far as I know, the main similarity between Mars and Earth is that they can both support human life.
Student 2: Yeah, but do we know that's actually true? I mean, Mars is much colder than Earth, isn't it? It says here it's about minus 55 degrees most of the time, whereas on Earth only places like Antarctica get that cold.
Student 1: True. Well then, I suppose you could say both planets are a similar distance from the Sun?
Student 2: No way! Mars is much further away! It says here it's about 228 million kilometres, while Earth is about 150 million.
Student 1: Yes, but in space that's not that far. Jupiter is, like, almost 780 million kilometres. That's why we use astronomical units when we talk about distances in space. Earth is 1 astronomical unit from the Sun and Mars is 1.3. The difference doesn't sound so big when you look at it that way.
Student 2: I see what you mean. Jupiter is 5.2 astronomical units so I guess you're right. What other similarities are there between the two planets?
Student 1: Let's see … not the colour, obviously!
Student 2: Yeah! Earth is called the blue planet and Mars is called the red planet for pretty obvious reasons!
Student 1: Their sizes are pretty different. Mars is about half the size of Earth.
Student 2: What about this? It looks like the days on both planets are almost the same length. Earth's day is 24 hours but Mars's is about half an hour longer.
Student 1: You're right. OK, any other things they both share?
Student 2: I suppose you could say they have water in common.
Student 1: Could you? How?
Student 2: Well, Earth is 70 per cent water and Mars probably had huge oceans in the past. It's just that most of the water there now is probably frozen.
Student 1: Ah, I see. I don't think we can say the air is the same, though. Most of Earth's air is nitrogen and oxygen, but Mars …?
Student 2: Mars doesn't really have air, not compared with Earth. It's got about one per cent as much air as Earth.
Student 1: Right, and it's mostly carbon dioxide.
Student 2: Gravity is another difference. I didn't know this, but Mars has higher gravity than the Moon. But it's much less than on Earth, of course.
Student 1: Oh, yes. It says Mars has about 38 per cent of Earth's gravity.
Teacher: OK, let's see what you've found …
My opinion is that Mars should be alternatives instead of earth. Because I can not imagine , there is only the earth for live.
I could say probably Yes! as I believe in the endless creativity of human beings and in my opinion there's not much things to fix to live on Mars as compared to other planets. There has water though they are frozen that's not bad as there's no water. About not having air is the big one to fix but with the advancement of science and technology, I hope human can make it one day ><
I fully disagree with you for two main reasons which are living indicators on Mars are still unclear and no one could predict these indicators, and secondly, it takes a while to ensure that Mars is a proper place to live.
The human curios maybe is infinitive, that has helped us to get new achieve and goals as spice, but I cant see possible to life in mars in a couple of years, maybe in 10 or 20 more years long.
Actually I have a strong believe that the earth is the only planet which suitable for life and God created humans to live in if there is any planet ready for life I think it made for any creature except humans
millions years ago, earth didn't support human life. may be it's the case for mars now.
Maybe people will live on it when they discover ways to configure it and provide the environment
I think that with the current conditions on Mars, life is not possible because of the lack of air, the lack of water and the very low temperature. But, while the conditions changed before freezing the water, they can change again in a way life might be possible on Mars.
If you ask me, to begin with, there isn`t life on Mars, but I believe that life will be available on Mars one day, at least scientists and researchers work in order to find life on Mars to reduce the density of Earth. I hope that one day This will take place.
In my own opinion, normal people can visit them for a short trip like other places on earth. It will be difficult to live longer because Mars doesn't have enough air or water.