Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Space Exploration & Astronomy

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de discutir temas complejos sobre la exploración espacial, la astrofísica y el futuro de la humanidad en entornos académicos y profesionales. Habrás desarrollado la capacidad de utilizar estructuras gramaticales avanzadas para describir cambios progresivos y habrás ampliado tu léxico especializado para hablar de descubrimientos, tecnología y dilemas éticos relacionados con el cosmos.

Asimismo, habrás perfeccionado tu capacidad para sintetizar información técnica y producir respuestas escritas y orales coherentes, manteniendo un registro formal adecuado para el nivel C1. Este examen de revisión pondrá a prueba tu precisión léxica y tu control gramatical sobre las estructuras de comparación progresiva.

Grammar consolidation

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. Use between three and six words, including the word given.

1. As the years passed, the technology became more advanced. MORE The technology became ________ as the years passed.

2. There are fewer and fewer people who believe in life on Mars. FEWER There are ________ who believe in life on Mars.

3. The cost of space travel is increasing every year. LESS Space travel is becoming ________ each year.

4. We are finding fewer and fewer resources on the Moon. FEWER We are finding ________ on the Moon.

5. The atmosphere is getting thinner as we go higher. THINNER The higher we go, ________ the atmosphere becomes.

6. As the mission continued, the astronauts became more tired. MORE The longer the mission lasted, ________ the astronauts became.

7. There is less and less interest in manned space flights. LESS There is ________ in manned space flights.

8. As the universe expands, galaxies move further apart. FARTHER The more the universe expands, ________ the galaxies move.

9. It is becoming harder to find clean energy in space. MORE It is becoming ________ to find clean energy in space.

10. Because of the budget cuts, there are fewer and fewer space probes being sent. FEWER Due to budget cuts, ________ space probes are being sent.

Vocabulary activation

A. Word Formation: Complete the sentences with the correct form of the word in capitals.

1. The discovery of liquid water has significant ____ implications for the search for life. (SCIENCE)
2. The ____ of the mission was delayed due to technical glitches. (LAUNCH)
3. Astronomers are studying the ____ of the black hole. (SINGULAR)
4. The telescope provided an unprecedented ____ of distant galaxies. (VISUAL)
5. Space debris poses a significant ____ to future missions. (THREAT)

B. Collocations: Match the verbs (1-4) with the nouns (A-D) to form C1-level collocations.

1. To launch | A. a breakthrough
2. To make | B. a mission
3. To undertake | C. a satellite

4. To orbit | D. an orbit

5. The team managed to ____ a major breakthrough in propulsion technology.

6. It is vital to ____ a satellite into a stable orbit.
7. Scientists ____ a mission to study the Jovian moons.

C. Register Choice: Choose the most appropriate word for a formal academic report.

8. The (discovery / finding) of the exoplanet changed our understanding of the cosmos.
9. The (vastness / bigness) of the universe is difficult to comprehend.
10. We must consider the (ethical / moralistic) implications of terraforming Mars.
11. The (interstellar / between-star) medium contains dust and gas.
12. The (vacuum / empty) of space presents unique engineering challenges.

Integrated skills task

Reading Text

The debate regarding the privatisation of space exploration has intensified as private companies achieve unprecedented milestones. Proponents argue that commercial involvement accelerates technological innovation and reduces the financial burden on taxpayers. They suggest that the competition between private entities will lead to more cost-effective solutions for satellite deployment and deep-space transit.

However, critics raise significant concerns regarding the lack of international regulation. They argue that the "wild west" approach of private corporations could lead to the exploitation of celestial resources, potentially sparking geopolitical conflicts. Furthermore, there is the question of accountability: if a private mission causes environmental damage to a planetary body or creates a debris cloud, who is held responsible? As we stand on the precipice of a new space age, the tension between rapid commercial progress and the necessity for stringent global governance remains unresolved.

Writing Task

Instrucciones: Basándote en el texto anterior, escribe un ensayo de respuesta (response essay) de entre 180 y 220 palabras. Debes analizar los argumentos presentados y dar tu propia opinión sobre si la privatización es beneficiosa o peligrosa para la humanidad. Utiliza un registro formal y vocabulario avanzado.

Speaking checkpoint

1. Compare: Compare the advantages of robotic space exploration versus human space exploration.
2. Speculate: How might the discovery of extraterrestrial life change our societal values and religions?
3. Evaluate: To what extent should governments prioritise space exploration over solving problems on Earth?
4. Justify: Some argue that space debris is an irreversible catastrophe. Justify whether you think strict international laws are enough to prevent this.
5. Speculate: Imagine a future where humans live on Mars. How would the concept of "nationality" change?
6. Evaluate: Evaluate the impact of space technology on everyday life on Earth.

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. more and more advanced 2. fewer and fewer people 3. less and less expensive 4. fewer and fewer resources 5. the thinner 6. the more tired 7. less and less interest 8. the farther/further 9. more and more difficult 10. fewer and fewer

Vocabulary activation 1. scientific 2. launch 3. singularity 4. visualization 5. threat 5. made 6. launch 7. undertake 8. discovery 9. vastness 10. ethical 11. interstellar 12. vacuum