Table of Contents
Two astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) will stay in space longer than planned. They went to the ISS in June. The plan was to come back to Earth after one week.
At first, they stayed longer because their spacecraft, called Starliner, had problems. Now, their trip is delayed again. Maybe they will return in March or April.
NASA says the delay is not dangerous. The ISS got two supply shipments in November. These shipments brought food, water, clothes, oxygen, and even holiday items.
Most trips to the ISS last six months. Some trips last a year.
SpaceX, a company that works with NASA, is building a new spacecraft for the next crew. It is not ready yet. Maybe it will be ready in March. NASA thought about using a different spacecraft but decided to wait for the new one.
Vocabulary
- Astronaut – a person who is trained to travel in space; 🧑🚀
- Space – the area outside of Earth with stars and darkness; 🌌
- Planned – scheduled; decided in advance
- Earth – the planet/world we live on 🌎
- At first – first; originally;
- Spacecraft – A vehicle designed/made for space travel; 🚀
- Delayed – late; postponed; suspended; not on time; slowed down
- Return – to go back; to come back
- Supply – Things needed, like food or water
- Shipment – sending something from one place to another, usually in a package or container
- Oxygen – A gas that we need to breathe in order to live; O;
- Holiday – a special day like Christmas or New Year
- Item – a single object or thing; one piece; a product
- Holiday item – something like food, clothing or decorations for a holiday
- Last – to continue; to continue to exist; to continue for a period of time; to keep going
- Crew – a group of people who work together; a group or team of people who work together on a vehicle like an airplane or a ship
- Decide – to choose something; make a choice from many different options; select
Discussion Questions
- The astronauts were supposed to stay for one week. Now it might be many months. How do you think they feel about that?
- The text says the delay is not dangerous. Do you think that is easy to believe if you were one of the astronauts? Why or why not?
- They got extra food and other things. If you were staying extra time in space, what is one thing you would really want to have with you?
- NASA is waiting for a new spacecraft. Do you think it is better to wait for a new one, or use an older one that is ready?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
Two astronauts on _____ International Space Station (ISS) will stay in space longer _____ planned. They went to the ISS in _____. The plan was to come back to Earth _____ one week.
At first, they stayed longer _____ their spacecraft, called Starliner, had problems. Now, their trip is _____ again. Maybe they will return in _____ or April.
NASA says the delay is not _____. The ISS got two supply shipments in November. _____ shipments brought food, water, clothes, oxygen, and _____ holiday items.
Most trips to the ISS last _____ months. Some trips last a year.
SpaceX, a _____ that works with NASA, is building a new spacecraft for the next _____. It is not ready yet. Maybe it will be ready in _____. NASA thought about using a different spacecraft _____ decided to wait for the new one.
