Two American astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, went to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5. They were supposed to come back soon after. But they are still in space because their spaceship, the Boeing Starliner, has problems. The spaceship had leaks and thruster issues, making it unsafe for them to return right now.

NASA is trying to figure out how to bring them back safely. They want to use the Starliner, but they might use a different spaceship called SpaceX Crew Dragon. If they use the Crew Dragon, the astronauts would come back in February 2025. This means they would stay in space much longer than planned, over eight months instead of just eight days.

Even though their mission got longer, the astronauts are staying positive. Sunita Williams is happy to be in space and working with the ISS team. She said she doesn’t mind the extra time in space. Astronauts have stayed in space for long times before, so this is not completely new.

Original news source: They went to space for eight days – and could be stuck until 2025 (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will take turns acting out key vocabulary from the article (e.g., astronauts, spaceship, International Space Station) without speaking, while their classmates guess the word or phrase.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Pose the question, “Do you think astronauts should stay in space longer than planned?” Students will move to one side of the room if they agree or the other side if they disagree, then share their reasons with a partner.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: In small groups, students will create a catchy headline for the article. They can use phrases from the text or come up with their own. After 5 minutes, each group will share their headline with the class.

– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will draw a word related to the article (e.g., ISS, Starliner, Crew Dragon) on the board while their teammates guess the word. Set a timer for each round.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: As a class, create a mind map on the board about the article. Start with “Astronauts in Space” in the center and branch out with ideas such as “NASA,” “Spacecrafts,” and “Challenges.” Students can contribute words or phrases related to each branch.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who are the two American astronauts mentioned in the article?
2. What problem did the Boeing Starliner spaceship have?
3. What is NASA trying to do for the astronauts?
4. What is the name of the other spaceship that might be used to bring the astronauts back?
5. How much longer will the astronauts stay in space if they use the Crew Dragon?
6. How does Sunita Williams feel about staying in space longer?
7. Have astronauts stayed in space for a long time before?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Two American astronauts, (1)______ Wilmore and Sunita Williams, (2)______ to the International Space Station (ISS) on (3)______ 5. They were supposed to come back soon after. But they are still in space because their spaceship, the Boeing Starliner, has problems. The spaceship had leaks and thruster issues, making it (4)______ for them to (5)______ right now.

NASA is trying to figure out how to bring them back safely. They want to use the Starliner, but they might use a (6)______ spaceship called SpaceX (7)______ Dragon. If they use the Crew Dragon, the astronauts would come back in February 2025. This means they would stay in (8)______ much longer than (9)______, over eight months instead of just eight days.

Even though their mission got longer, the astronauts are staying positive. (10)______ Williams is happy to be in space and working with the ISS team. She (11)______ she doesn’t mind the extra time in space. Astronauts have stayed in space for long (12)______ before, so this is not completely new.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your favorite thing about space?
2. How would you feel if you had to stay in space for a long time?
3. Do you think being an astronaut is a fun job? Why or why not?
4. What is a spaceship?
5. How do you think astronauts eat food in space?
6. Do you like watching movies or shows about space? Why?
7. What would you miss the most if you were in space for eight months?
8. Do you think it is safe to travel to space? Why or why not?
9. How would you feel if you saw Earth from space?
10. What is a space station?
11. Do you think astronauts should stay in space longer or come back sooner? Why?
12. How do you think astronauts stay happy in space?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. astronauts
2. International Space Station
3. spaceship
4. leaks
5. thruster
6. unsafe
7. figure out
8. safely
9. mission
10. positive
11. planned
12. completely

Meanings:
(A) Not safe, could be dangerous
(B) Without getting hurt or in danger
(C) To try to understand or solve something
(D) Decided before it happens
(E) People who travel to space
(F) When something lets out liquid or gas by accident
(G) A part of a spaceship that helps it move
(H) A big place in space where people can live and work
(I) A special job or task someone is given to do
(J) A vehicle that travels in space
(K) Thinking good thoughts, not negative
(L) Totally, all the way
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Who are the two American astronauts mentioned in the article?
(a) Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin
(b) John Glenn and Sally Ride
(c) Mark Vande Hei and Jessica Meir
(d) Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams

2. When did the astronauts go to the International Space Station?
(a) July 4
(b) May 1
(c) June 5
(d) August 10

3. What is the name of the spaceship that the astronauts are using?
(a) SpaceX Falcon
(b) Boeing Starliner
(c) NASA Explorer
(d) Orion Shuttle

4. Why can’t the astronauts come back to Earth right now?
(a) They are enjoying space too much
(b) They lost their way
(c) Their spaceship has problems
(d) They are waiting for a party

5. What is NASA trying to do for the astronauts?
(a) Send them more food
(b) Give them new suits
(c) Change their mission
(d) Bring them back safely

6. If the astronauts use the SpaceX Crew Dragon, when will they come back?
(a) February 2025
(b) March 2024
(c) December 2023
(d) January 2026

7. How long were the astronauts supposed to stay in space?
(a) Eight days
(b) Eight months
(c) Two weeks
(d) One year

8. How does Sunita Williams feel about staying in space longer?
(a) She is sad
(b) She is happy
(c) She is scared
(d) She is angry

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The astronauts cannot come back to Earth because the Starliner has problems.
2. If they use the Crew Dragon, the astronauts will return in February 2024.
3. Their spaceship is named the Boeing Starship.
4. They might use a different spaceship called SpaceX Crew Dragon to bring them home.
5. Two American astronauts named Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams went to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 6.
6. The problems with the Starliner include leaks and issues with the thrusters.
7. NASA is struggling to find a safe way to bring the astronauts back.
8. Sunita Williams is happy to be in space and doesn’t mind staying longer than planned.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Who are the two American astronauts mentioned in the article?
2. Why can’t Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams come back to Earth right now?
3. What problems does the Boeing Starliner spaceship have?
4. What is the name of the other spaceship that NASA might use to bring the astronauts back?
5. How does Sunita Williams feel about staying in space longer than planned?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Who are the two American astronauts mentioned in the article?
Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams.

2. What problem did the Boeing Starliner spaceship have?
The spaceship had leaks and thruster issues.

3. What is NASA trying to do for the astronauts?
NASA is trying to figure out how to bring them back safely.

4. What is the name of the other spaceship that might be used to bring the astronauts back?
The other spaceship is called SpaceX Crew Dragon.

5. How much longer will the astronauts stay in space if they use the Crew Dragon?
They will stay in space until February 2025, which is over eight months longer.

6. How does Sunita Williams feel about staying in space longer?
She is happy to be in space and doesn’t mind the extra time.

7. Have astronauts stayed in space for a long time before?
Yes, astronauts have stayed in space for long times before.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Butch
(2) went
(3) June
(4) unsafe
(5) return
(6) different
(7) Crew
(8) space
(9) planned
(10) Sunita
(11) said
(12) times
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. astronauts
Answer: (E) People who travel to space

2. International Space Station
Answer: (H) A big place in space where people can live and work

3. spaceship
Answer: (J) A vehicle that travels in space

4. leaks
Answer: (F) When something lets out liquid or gas by accident

5. thruster
Answer: (G) A part of a spaceship that helps it move

6. unsafe
Answer: (A) Not safe, could be dangerous

7. figure out
Answer: (C) To try to understand or solve something

8. safely
Answer: (B) Without getting hurt or in danger

9. mission
Answer: (I) A special job or task someone is given to do

10. positive
Answer: (K) Thinking good thoughts, not negative

11. planned
Answer: (D) Decided before it happens

12. completely
Answer: (L) Totally, all the way
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Who are the two American astronauts mentioned in the article?
Answer: (d) Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams

2. When did the astronauts go to the International Space Station?
Answer: (c) June 5

3. What is the name of the spaceship that the astronauts are using?
Answer: (b) Boeing Starliner

4. Why can’t the astronauts come back to Earth right now?
Answer: (c) Their spaceship has problems

5. What is NASA trying to do for the astronauts?
Answer: (d) Bring them back safely

6. If the astronauts use the SpaceX Crew Dragon, when will they come back?
Answer: (a) February 2025

7. How long were the astronauts supposed to stay in space?
Answer: (a) Eight days

8. How does Sunita Williams feel about staying in space longer?
Answer: (b) She is happy
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The astronauts cannot come back to Earth because the Starliner has problems. (Answer: True)
2. If they use the Crew Dragon, the astronauts will return in February 2024. (Answer: False)
3. Their spaceship is named the Boeing Starship. (Answer: False)
4. They might use a different spaceship called SpaceX Crew Dragon to bring them home. (Answer: True)
5. Two American astronauts named Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams went to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 6. (Answer: False)
6. The problems with the Starliner include leaks and issues with the thrusters. (Answer: True)
7. NASA is struggling to find a safe way to bring the astronauts back. (Answer: False)
8. Sunita Williams is happy to be in space and doesn’t mind staying longer than planned. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧