European Space Week

 Watch the following video and answer the questions

Where was Sarah Gillis born and raised?

What instrument did Sarah play in space, and why was this important?

What message did Sarah give to the students when she visited her old school?

 

European Space Week

  

Part 1 – Before You Read

A. Match the words with their meanings.

Word	Meaning
1. Eclipse	a. A special pair of glasses that protect your eyes.
2. Telescope	b. A moment when the Moon blocks the Sun.
3. Hiking trail	c. A path for walking in nature.
4. Eclipse glasses	d. An instrument for looking at distant objects.
5. Campsite	e. A place where people stay in tents.

 

Part 2 – Reading

A Memorable Day Under the Moon

Last summer, my family and I watched a solar eclipse together. We had planned the trip for weeks because the weather forecast looked perfect. We packed snacks, water bottles, a blanket, and our special eclipse glasses before leaving home early in the morning.

We drove to a quiet hill near a hiking trail where many people had gathered. Some visitors had brought telescopes, while others simply sat on the grass and waited. Everyone was excited because it was the first eclipse that many of us had ever seen.

As the Moon slowly moved in front of the Sun, the sky became darker. Birds became quieter, and the air felt cooler. We never looked directly at the Sun without our protective glasses because we knew it was dangerous.

Since that day, I have thought about that experience many times. I have already shared photos with my friends, although the pictures do not show how amazing it really felt. My parents have suggested camping there next year if another interesting event happens in the night sky. Watching the eclipse has made me more interested in astronomy and outdoor adventures. It reminded me that nature can surprise us in incredible ways, especially when we take time to explore it together.

B. Answer the questions.
1. Why did the family leave home early?
2. Where did they watch the eclipse?3. Why did they wear eclipse glasses?
4. What happened to the birds during the eclipse?
5. How has the experience changed the writer?
6. What have the writer and the parents done or planned after the eclipse? 

C. Complete the sentences.Use these words:
blanket – telescope – campsite – hiking trail – eclipse glasses – forecast
1. We checked the weather __________ before leaving.
2. We spread a __________ on the grass.
3. A __________ helped people see distant objects.
4. We walked along a __________ to reach the hill.5. We slept at a __________ after the event.
6. You must wear __________ to watch a solar eclipse safely. 

Past Continuous review exercises

1 What were you doing at these times?

Write sentences as in the examples. The past continuous is not always necessary (see the second example).

Example:

1. (at 7.30 yesterday evening) → I was having dinner.
2. (at 6.15 last Saturday) → I was on a bus on my way home.
3. (at 10.45 yesterday morning) → ___________________________________________
4. (at 3.00 yesterday afternoon) → ___________________________________________
5. (at 9.20 last night) → ___________________________________________
6. (twenty minutes ago) → ___________________________________________

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2 Use your own ideas to complete the sentences.

Use the past continuous.

1. Emma called while we were having dinner.
2. The phone rang while I ___________________________________________.
3. We saw a strange man while we ___________________________________________.
4. Jack fell asleep while he ___________________________________________.
5. The music was playing, but nobody ___________________________________________.

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3 Put the verb into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.

1. I (see) Laura in town last Saturday, but she (not / see) me.
She (look) the other way.

2.I (meet) Daniel and Sophie at the train station a few months ago. They (go) to Barcelona and I (go) to Valencia. We (have) a chat while we (wait) for our trains.

3.I (walk) home yesterday when a cyclist (fall) off his bike in front of me. Luckily, he (not / hurt) himself because he (wear) a helmet.

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4 Put the verb into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.

1. Alex __________________ (wait) for me when I __________________ (arrive).
2. “What __________________ (you / do) at 8 o'clock yesterday evening?”
   “I was watching a film.”
3. “__________________ (you / go) out last Saturday?”
   “No, I stayed at home.”
4. How fast __________________ (you / run) when you __________________ (fall)?
5. Maria __________________ (take) a photograph of me while I __________________ (not / look).
6. We were in a very difficult situation. We __________________ (not / know) what to do.
7. I haven't seen Ben for ages. When I last __________________ (see) him, he __________________ (look) for a new flat.
8. I __________________ (walk) home when suddenly I __________________ (hear) a noise behind me. Someone __________________ (follow) me, so I __________________ (start) to run.
9. When I was younger, I __________________ (want) to become a professional footballer.
10. Last Sunday I __________________ (drop) a glass while I __________________ (wash) the dishes. Fortunately, it __________________ (not / break).