India has set a goal to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040, according to the government. This announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also expressed the country’s plans to establish a space station by 2035. In addition to the Moon mission, India is also looking into missions to Venus and Mars.

India has already achieved significant milestones in space exploration. In August, it became the first country to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon’s south pole. The country also launched a rocket in September to study the Sun. These achievements have been made possible by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).

Isro is currently working on the Gaganyaan project, which aims to send a human crew to an orbit of 400km and bring them back safely to land in Indian waters. The space agency will conduct a key test for this mission on Saturday. Following this, there will be another test flight carrying a robot to outer space before the final manned mission takes place before the end of 2024.

India’s ambitions in space exploration are a testament to its growing capabilities and commitment to scientific progress. By setting these goals, India is positioning itself as a major player in the global space industry. It is an exciting time for India as it continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in space exploration.

Original news source: India aims to send astronaut to the Moon by 2040 (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Provide each group with a copy of the article.
3. Instruct the groups to read the article and summarize the main points in a few sentences.
4. After a designated amount of time, have each group share their summaries with the class.
5. Facilitate a discussion to compare and contrast the different summaries and clarify any misunderstandings.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Assign each group a specific topic related to space exploration, such as “Sending astronauts to the Moon,” “Establishing a space station,” or “Exploring Venus and Mars.”
3. Instruct each group to discuss their opinions on the given topic and come up with at least three reasons to support their opinion.
4. After a designated amount of time, have each group present their opinions and reasons to the class.
5. Facilitate a class discussion where students can respectfully debate and discuss the different opinions.

– Keyword Taboo

Instructions:
1. Write down a list of keywords from the article on separate pieces of paper or index cards.
2. Divide the class into two teams.
3. Select one student from the first team to come to the front of the class.
4. Without using the keyword written on the card, the student must describe the keyword to their team members who have to guess what it is.
5. The team has a limited amount of time to guess the keyword correctly.
6. If the team guesses correctly, they earn a point. If not, the other team has a chance to steal the point by guessing correctly.
7. Repeat the process with a student from the second team.
8. Continue until all the keywords have been used or a designated number of rounds have been completed.
9. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

– Think-Pair-Share

Instructions:
1. Have the class read the article individually.
2. After reading, instruct students to think about the following question: “What are your thoughts on India’s goals for space exploration?”
3. Pair up students and give them a few minutes to discuss their thoughts and opinions on the question.
4. After the pair discussion, bring the class back together and allow students to share their thoughts with the whole class.
5. Facilitate a class discussion where students can respectfully share their opinions and engage in a meaningful conversation about the topic.

– Future Predictions

Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Instruct each group to discuss and brainstorm their predictions for the future of space exploration based on India’s goals.
3. Encourage students to think about technological advancements, potential discoveries, and the impact on society.
4. After a designated amount of time, have each group present their predictions to the class.
5. Facilitate a class discussion where students can compare and contrast the different predictions and discuss the potential implications of these future scenarios.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is India’s goal for sending an astronaut to the Moon?
2. When does India plan to establish a space station?
3. What significant milestones has India already achieved in space exploration?
4. Which organization is responsible for India’s achievements in space exploration?
5. What is the Gaganyaan project and what is its objective?
6. When will the final manned mission of the Gaganyaan project take place?
7. What do India’s ambitions in space exploration demonstrate?
8. How is India positioning itself in the global space industry?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

India has set a goal to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040, according to the government. This announcement was made by Prime (1)______ Narendra Modi, who also (2)______ the country’s plans to (3)______ a space station by 2035. In (4)______ to the Moon mission, India is also looking into missions to Venus and Mars.

India has already achieved significant milestones in space exploration. In (5)______, it became the first country to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon’s (6)______ pole. The country also launched a rocket in September to (7)______ the Sun. These achievements have been made possible by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro).

Isro is currently (8)______ on the Gaganyaan project, which aims to send a human crew to an orbit of 400km and bring them back safely to land in Indian waters. The space agency will conduct a key test for this (9)______ on Saturday. Following this, there will be another test flight carrying a robot to (10)______ space before the (11)______ manned mission takes (12)______ before the end of 2024.

India’s ambitions in space exploration are a testament to its (13)______ capabilities and commitment to scientific progress. By setting these goals, India is positioning itself as a major (14)______ in the global space industry. It is an exciting time for India as it (15)______ to push the (16)______ of what is possible in space exploration.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What do you think about India’s goal to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if your country announced plans to establish a space station? Why?
3. Do you think space exploration is important for scientific progress? Why or why not?
4. What do you think are the benefits of missions to Venus and Mars? Why?
5. How do you think India’s achievements in space exploration compare to other countries? Why?
6. Do you think it is important for countries to invest in space exploration? Why or why not?
7. What challenges do you think India might face in achieving its goal of sending an astronaut to the Moon? Why?
8. How do you think India’s ambitions in space exploration will impact its global reputation? Why?
9. What are some potential risks or dangers of sending humans to outer space? Why?
10. Do you think space exploration should be a priority for countries? Why or why not?
11. How do you think space exploration contributes to our understanding of the universe? Why?
12. What do you think are some potential benefits of establishing a space station? Why?
13. How do you think the advancements in space exploration will impact our daily lives? Why?
14. Do you think space exploration should be a collaborative effort between countries? Why or why not?
15. How do you think space exploration will evolve in the future? Why?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. India
2. astronaut
3. Moon
4. space station
5. Venus
6. Mars
7. spacecraft
8. Gaganyaan

Meanings:
(a) The planet that India is considering for a mission
(b) A person who travels in space
(c) A facility in space for human habitation
(d) The celestial body that India plans to send an astronaut to
(e) A vehicle designed for travel in outer space
(f) The planet that India is considering for a mission
(g) The project that aims to send a human crew
(h) The country that has set the goal
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is India’s goal for sending an astronaut to the Moon?
(a) By 2035
(b) By 2024
(c) By 2040
(d) By 2050

2. Who made the announcement about India’s goal for Moon exploration?
(a) President Ram Nath Kovind
(b) Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro)
(c) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
(d) Indian government

3. What other missions is India looking into besides the Moon?
(a) Venus and Mars
(b) Venus and Jupiter
(c) Mars and Saturn
(d) Mars and Neptune

4. What milestone did India achieve in August?
(a) Launching a rocket to study the Sun
(b) Successfully landing a spacecraft on the Moon’s south pole
(c) Establishing a space station
(d) Sending a human crew to an orbit of 400km

5. Which organization is responsible for India’s space exploration achievements?
(a) Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro)
(b) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
(c) European Space Agency (ESA)
(d) China National Space Administration (CNSA)

6. What is the name of India’s project to send a human crew to an orbit of 400km?
(a) Chandrayaan
(b) Gaganyaan
(c) Mangalyaan
(d) Aditya-L1

7. When is the final manned mission for India’s project expected to take place?
(a) By 2035
(b) By 2040
(c) By 2050
(d) Before the end of 2024

8. What does India’s ambitions in space exploration demonstrate?
(a) Its desire to compete with other countries in space exploration
(b) Its focus on commercial space tourism
(c) Its lack of interest in international collaboration
(d) Its growing capabilities and commitment to scientific progress

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. India also aims to establish a space station by 2035.
2. Isro is not currently working on the Gaganyaan project to send a human crew to orbit.
3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement about India’s Moon mission.
4. The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has not made these achievements possible.
5. In September, India launched a rocket to study the Sun.
6. India has not successfully landed a spacecraft on the Moon’s south pole.
7. India does not plan to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
8. India’s ambitions in space exploration position it as a major player in the global space industry.
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. What are India’s goals for space exploration by 2040?
2. What significant milestones has India already achieved in space exploration?
3. What is the Gaganyaan project and what is its purpose?
4. How is India positioning itself in the global space industry?
5. What is the significance of India’s ambitions in space exploration?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. India’s goal is to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
2. India plans to establish a space station by 2035.
3. India has successfully landed a spacecraft on the Moon’s south pole and launched a rocket to study the Sun.
4. The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is responsible for India’s achievements in space exploration.
5. The Gaganyaan project aims to send a human crew to an orbit of 400km and bring them back safely to land in Indian waters.
6. The final manned mission of the Gaganyaan project will take place before the end of 2024.
7. India’s ambitions in space exploration demonstrate its growing capabilities and commitment to scientific progress.
8. India is positioning itself as a major player in the global space industry.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Minister
(2) expressed
(3) establish
(4) addition
(5) August
(6) south
(7) study
(8) working
(9) mission
(10) outer
(11) final
(12) place
(13) growing
(14) player
(15) continues
(16) boundaries
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. India
Answer: (h) The country that has set the goal

2. astronaut
Answer: (b) A person who travels in space

3. Moon
Answer: (d) The celestial body that India plans to send an astronaut to

4. space station
Answer: (c) A facility in space for human habitation

5. Venus
Answer: (a) The planet that India is considering for a mission

6. Mars
Answer: (a) The planet that India is considering for a mission

7. spacecraft
Answer: (e) A vehicle designed for travel in outer space

8. Gaganyaan
Answer: (g) The project that aims to send a human crew
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is India’s goal for sending an astronaut to the Moon?
Answer: (c) By 2040

2. Who made the announcement about India’s goal for Moon exploration?
Answer: (c) Prime Minister Narendra Modi

3. What other missions is India looking into besides the Moon?
Answer: (a) Venus and Mars

4. What milestone did India achieve in August?
Answer: (b) Successfully landing a spacecraft on the Moon’s south pole

5. Which organization is responsible for India’s space exploration achievements?
Answer: (a) Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro)

6. What is the name of India’s project to send a human crew to an orbit of 400km?
Answer: (b) Gaganyaan

7. When is the final manned mission for India’s project expected to take place?
Answer: (d) Before the end of 2024

8. What does India’s ambitions in space exploration demonstrate?
Answer: (d) Its growing capabilities and commitment to scientific progress
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. India also aims to establish a space station by 2035. (Answer: True)
2. Isro is not currently working on the Gaganyaan project to send a human crew to orbit. (Answer: False)
3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement about India’s Moon mission. (Answer: True)
4. The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has not made these achievements possible. (Answer: False)
5. In September, India launched a rocket to study the Sun. (Answer: True)
6. India has not successfully landed a spacecraft on the Moon’s south pole. (Answer: False)
7. India does not plan to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040. (Answer: False)
8. India’s ambitions in space exploration position it as a major player in the global space industry. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧