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 …
I don't think so. At this time, it doesn't seem possible because the air and water conditions on Mars are not suitable for humans. We could die, and the cost of maintaining life on Mars would be extremely high due to the materials needed for survival.
Even if we could live on Mars, I believe we might face serious health issues, such as developing illnesses, tumors, or infertility. So, while living on Mars might be possible in the future, we still need to learn much more about the planet before making it a reality.
I believe one day people will get to live in Mars, due to the state our planet. I really hope this won't be necessary and that we get to live on Earth for a longer time, but if one day Earth starts to be an innapropiate place for living and humanity needs to go to Mars I feel it won't be such a challenge, of course it will come with its difficulties but nowadays technology is capable of everything so I trust it will be ready for that day.
The idea of people living on Mars is highly plausible and has been a focus of scientific and technological advancements. while it is not yet really ,several factors suggest that humanity may establish a presence on Mars in the future.
Hmm... i don't think so cuz as a humans our bodies their nature being in earth so if we lives in other planets we'll die obviously
well ... i don't think that is going to happen or at least not in the next 100 years , but if the techonolgy keeps on improving people might have a chance to go and live there after few centuries !
I think so, there's alot of commons between mars and earth , but the only big issue is the air.I guess there will be a solution . I hope it will be soon , everyone wants to try to go a vacation to a new world.
I don't think Mars can be a habitable planet at any time, I think it doesn't have the conditions for us to live on it, life would not be the same as the one we have here on earth.
No, it is unlikely that people will live on Mars one day. The extremely cold temperatures and lack of oxygen make the environment hostile to human life. Even with advanced technology, creating Earth-like conditions would be a constant challenge and very costly.
Hello, my name is Aditya Prapanca a student at Tanjupura University.
"Do you think people will live on Mars?"
From my perspective, we might live on Mars one day, but there are big challenges to overcome. While Mars and Earth have some similarities, like similar day lengths and past water presence, Mars is much colder, has a thin atmosphere mostly made of carbon dioxide, and only about 38% of Earth’s gravity. These conditions make it hard for humans to survive without advanced technology and special habitats. Although frozen water could help, creating a livable environment would require much work.