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Unit 8

Speaking Exercise 5
ExaminerPaulineLet's talk about attitudes towards space travel.
What do you think fascinates humans about outer space?
Well, it's a 'new frontier' and it represents the 'unknown',
and humans have a natural tendency
to want to explore unknown places.
It goes right back to the early explorers
who travelled across the globe.
You know, it's like the time when people were discovering
that the Earth was round, not flat,
and that there's a gravitational force.
Over the centuries, one discovery has led to another
so that we know a great deal more about Earth now,
but we still know relatively little about outer space.
We're still a bit obsessed with it.
Do you think that's why some stories about space travel
have been so 'imaginative'?
Oh definitely, yes.
Because, well, anything could be out there so –
to make it exciting, particularly in films –
you can just imagine what that might be.
You know, so there are horror films
that are designed to make you afraid of extra-terrestrial life,
there are TV programmes like Star Trekthat have a huge cult following,
and then there are box-office hits like Avatar –
that was even bigger in America than the Harry Potter films.
How do you think people's attitudes
towards space exploration have changed
since the first Moon landings?
Mm, I think there's possibly less interest now,
since it's no longer new and exciting.
Back in the 1960s, when the Moon landing took place,
everybody was very impressed.
It was an incredible moment,
and it made the human race come together
and see that we can achieve something that's 'out of this world'.
But I think we've reached the point now
where the next step is going to be too risky and too difficult.
And – well – as far as I'm concerned, it's a waste of money.
To what extent do you think governments
will continue to fund projects in search of life on other planets?
I think it's unlikely that they'll continue because it's too expensive.
At a time when most countries are struggling to make ends meet,
who wants to spend billions on space travel?
As far as the solar system's concerned,
we've a reasonably good understanding of what's on other planets
and we're pretty certain that they wouldn't sustain life.
So there's little point in sending people up there.
I think governments may well continue to send space probes
to see what they come up with, but why risk people's lives?

Attitudes towards space travel

1. What do you think fascinates humans about outer space?
2. Do you think that's why some stories about space travel have been so 'imaginative'?
3. How do you think people's attitudes towards space exploration have changed since the first Moon landings?
4. To what extent do you think governments will continue to fund projects in search of life on other planets?

In which answer(s) does she compare the present with the past? * Question 1 * Question 2 * Question 3 * Question 4

In which answer(s) does she speculate / make predictions about the future?

• Question 1
• Question 2
• Question 3
• Question 4

In which answer(s) does she give reasons and/or examples?

• Question 1
• Question 2
• Question 3
• Question 4

Answer the questions
You've done a great job. Now let's get into the details of Pauline's answers which would prove your choice.

Read the recording script and underline the phrases which:

1. compare the present with the past.

2. speculate / make predictions about the future.

3. give reasons and/or examples.

4. you would find useful when answering these questions yourself.

5. It goes right back to; it's like the time when; Over the centuries; we know a great deal more; we still know relatively little; Back in the 1960s; we've reached the
   point now where

6. it's unlikely that; there's little point in; governments may well continue

7. reasons: because; since; At a time when examples: It goes right back to; it's like the time when; so there are ... there are ... and then there are ...

Find the proof 1. Read the recording script one more time and copy useful words and phrases into your notebook.

2. Look at the questions and approximately reconstruct Pauline's answers to the questions using some of the phrases and her ideas.

Attitudes towards space travel

1. What do you think fascinates humans about outer space?

2. Do you think that's why some stories about space travel have been so 'imaginative'?

3. How do you think people's attitudes towards space exploration have changed since the first Moon landings?

4. To what extent do you think governments will continue to fund projects in search of life on other planets?

Note: This would be a good time to do the Pronunciation work on rhythm and chunking.