Out of this world delivery: Amazon boss to send supplies to MOON to establish BASE by 2020

AMAZON has revealed plans to help “America return to the moon” after its founder announced the firm would deliver supplies to the lunar satellite in 2020.

Jeff Bezos, co-founder of Amazon and owner of Blue Origin – a private space firm looking to rival SpaceX – is hoping to help humanity establish a colony on the moon by delivering supplies there.

The last time humans stepped foot on the astronomical body was 1972, but as natural resources begin to decrease on Earth, scientists are looking at the possibility of establishing colonies on other planets to ensure humanity’s continuity, with the moon seen as the perfect stepping stone.

An internal report from Blue Origin was obtained by the Washington Post – which Mr Bezos also owns – and outlines the space travel firm’s plans for future missions.

The proposal looks to Nasa for help in sending a ‘Blue Moon’ spacecraft to the south pole of the lunar satellite. Aboard the ship will be equipment to help humans establish a base on the moon.

The report reads: “Once on the surface, the lander’s useful payload can be used to conduct science. A robotic arm attached to the lander will expand to examine the lunar surface with an array of instruments.” 

Mr Bezos told the Washington Post: “It is time for America to return to the Moon — this time to stay. A permanently inhabited lunar settlement is a difficult and worthy objective.

The report goes on to say that the first missions could launch by July 2020, but that allegedly depends on how heavily Nasa is involved.

He added: “Our liquid hydrogen expertise and experience with precision vertical landing offer the fastest path to a lunar lander mission.  I'm excited about this and am ready to invest my own money alongside NASA to make it happen.”

Question 1 (2 points) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

1. The aim of this move by Amazon is to set a community on the moon.
2. The moon seems to be the ideal place out of Earth to set a community.
3. The plans remain secret.
4. Amazon believes they can carry out these plans on their own.

Question 2 (2 points) Answer the following questions in your own words.

1. Why is it believed that a colony like this is necessary?
2. How is Amazon planning to carry out this plan?

Question 3 (1.5 points) Find words or phrases in the text that correspond in meaning to the words and definitions given.

1. To compete with (par.2)
2. To sketch, to draw (par.4)
3. Suggestion (par.5)
4. To carry out (par.6)
5. Range (par.6)

Question 4 (1.5 points) Choose the correct answer.

1. The plan will be carried out...

1. only with the money from the founder of Amazon.
2. although NASA does not invest any money.
3. only if NASA invests money on the project.
4. despite NASA’s money.

2. Scientists would not consider this kind of plans...

1. unless the resources on Earth had been higher.
2. if the resources were decreasing.
3. even though the resources were decreasing.
4. if the resources were increasing.

3. Amazon is believed...

1. to be delivering supplies in 2020.
2. to have been delivering supplies in 2020.
3. to will be delivering supplies in 2020.
4. to delivering supplies in 2020.

Question 5 (3 points) Write a short essay (120-150 words) on the following topic:

Shopping online is always the best option. Do you agree?

KEY

1. TRUE “help humanity establish a colony on the moon”
2. TRUE “the moon seen as the perfect stepping stone.”
3. FALSE “An internal report from Blue Origin was obtained by the Washington Post”
4. FALSE “The report goes on to say that the first missions could launch by July 2020, but that allegedly depends on how heavily Nasa is involved.“

1. A colony like this is believed to be necessary because we are running out of resources on earth and we are looking for different solutions to make our continuity as humans sure.
2. They are planning to send a spacecraft to the Moon with all the equipment needed to establish a permanent colony; they are trying to get the help from Nasa to carry out their plan.

1. (to) rival
2. (to) outline(s)
3. Proposal
4. (to) conduct
5. Array

1. c) only if NASA invests money on the project.
2. d) if the resources were increasing.
3. a) to be delivering supplies in 2020.

Flights suspended at London's Gatwick Airport after reports of drone sightings

Passengers flying via London's Gatwick Airport will face at least another 24 hours of disruption after several drone sightings forced Britain's second-busiest airport to shut its runway, causing delays to thousands of Christmas travellers.

Planes were unable to depart after the drones were spotted, while a number of flights scheduled to land were diverted to other airports, Gatwick said in a statement.

Police said they believed the actions were deliberate and more than 20 units were searching for the drone operators.“Public safety is paramount and we will take all available actions to disrupt this deliberate act”, Sussex police said in a statement. “There are no indications to suggest this is terror-related”.

Gatwick’s chief operating officer Chris Woodroofe could not say when flights would resume and warned that the knock-on effects from the airport closure would last for more than 24 hours. Mr Woodroofe described one of the drones as a heavy industrial drone."It's definitely not a standard, off-the-shelf type drone, I definitely believe it is a deliberate act" he said on BBC radio.

Gatwick apologised on Twitter to affected passengers, adding that safety was its "foremost priority".

An increase in near-collisions by unmanned aircraft and commercial jets has fuelled safety concerns in the aviation industry in recent years. In Britain, the number of near-misses between private drones and aircraft more than tripled between 2015 and 2017, with 92 incidents recorded last year, according to the UK Airprox Board.

Question 1: [2 POINTS].Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

1. Some planes could take off despite the drones.
2. Authorities think drones were flown on purpose.
3. The drones cannot be purchased in commercial stores
4. The number of incidents caused by drones has increased since 2017

Question 2: [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words according to the text.

1. What problems at Gatwick airport have the drones caused?
2. What decisions were taken after the incident?

Question3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

1. cautch sight (paragraph 2)
2. principal (paragraph 3)
3. symptoms (paragraph 3)
4. restart (paragraph 4)
5. depicted (paragraph 4)

Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose the correct option, a, b, c or d for each question and copy the sentence onto your answer sheet.

1. 

a) Passengers flying via London's Gatwick Airport will have to wait until Christmas Day.

b) Passengers flying via London's Gatwick Airport will have to cope with complications for not less than one day.

c) Passengers flying via London's Gatwick Airport will have delays for more than 24 hours.

d) Passengers flying via London’s Gatwick won’t be able to fly for at least 24 days.

2. 

a) Police said that it could have been a terrorist attack.

b) Police were convinced that these acts have not been performed for a particular reason

c) Police thought that the drones were there for a specific reason

d) Police said that the drone operators had been found

3. 

a) Chris Woodroofe didn’t know when departures would get back to normal

b) Chris Woodroofe said that one of the drones was really small and made of recycled material

c) Chris Woodroofe affirmed that all the flights would take off in a few hours

d) Chris Woodroofe described one of the drones as a common one.

QUESTION 5. [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (about 120 – 150) on the following topic:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of drone technology?

KEY

Question 1

1. False: “Planes were unable to depart after the drones were spotted”
2. True: “Police said they believed the actions were deliberate”
3. True: “Mr Woodroofe described one of the drones as a heavy industrial drone.It's definitely not a standard, off-the-shelf type drone”
4. False: “In Britain, the number of near-misses between private drones and aircraft more than tripled between 2015 and 2017,”

Question 2:

1. They have caused a lot of chaos at the airport and delays for people travelling during the Christmas holidays.
2. They decided to direct some flights to other airports near Gatwick and more than 20 security units are working to solve the problems of security due to the drones.

Question 3 :

1. Spotted
2. Paramount
3. Indications
4. Resume
5. Described

Question 4

1 b) Passengers flying via London's Gatwick Airport will have to cope with complications for not less than one day.

           2 c) Police thought that the drones were there for a specific reason

           3 a) Chris Woodroofe didn’t know when departures would get back to normal

CLIMATE CHANGE

Click on the picture below and watch the video. 

Then complete the following sentences:

1. It's an ...............to be ....................with you today
2. Together we are ..................... ...... ..........................................
3. I come from ..............
4. Nothing is ...................... ................... to stop the ..................and ecological ...........................despite all the.................... ........................... and ..........................
5. We will make .................that they ....................... .............. .............. ............ ........ ........................ longer
6. Humanity is now ......................... at a ..............................
7. We must now decide how we want the ................. .................. ....................for our ................................ to be like
8. We have .....................which...................... we want ............... .......................
9. It ..................... be like that but, since no one ............. .............. .................. ..................., we will have to do so.
10. .......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

KEY

1. It's an honour to be here with you today
2. Together we are making a difference
3. I come from Sweden
4. Nothing is being done to stop the climate and ecological crisis despite all the beautiful words and promises
5. We will make sure that they won't get away with it any longer
6. Humanity is now standing at a crossroads
7. We must now decide how we want the future living conditions for our species to be like
8. We have chosen which path we want to take
9. It shouldn't be like that but, since no one else is doing anything, we will have to do so.
10. We'll never stop fighting.

As a follow-up, now click on the image and watch the video to answer these questions:

1. Why do these students miss school? What nationality are they?
2. Are they allowed to demonstrate?
3. Who gave them the idea of this movement? What did she do?
4. When and where do they demonstrate?
5. What is the reaction of the Ministry of Education?

KEY

1. They meet and protest against climate change. They are Belgian.
2. They aren´t allowed to do it. They even get punished.
3. They are inspired by 15-year-old Greta who went on a school strike in Sweden. She then talked at the UN at a climate conference.
4. They demonstrate in Brussels every Thursday.
5. The Ministry reminds the students they have the obligation to go to school. However, it welcomes the protest.

Go it alone: solo trip on the rise as travellers opt for “me time”

More Britons are choosing to travel on their own, using apps and social media, as it means a holiday without compromises.

Solo travel is on the rise as a growing number of holidaymakers opt for trips that allow them to “do what they want”. Around 15% of travellers took a trip on their own in the last year, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta). The figure is up from 12% last year.

The age range that showed the biggest increase was that of 35-44 year olds, with more than 16% taking a trip alone: the figure for 2017 was just 5%. Having the opportunity to do whatever they wanted was the most common reason given by three-quarters of people surveyed in all age groups, while taking time out and meeting new people have become less important, according to the report.

The upward trend over the last decade is attributed to improved technology and a growing number of apps (alongside social media) that enable travellers to navigate the world with more ease and confidence alone: from instant language translation, free global messaging and other roaming options, to apps that connect people with other solo travellers or local hosts for dinner, tours or a bed for the night.

Travel companies have responded to demand by offering a range of options for people booking by themselves. Tour operators, such as Intrepid Travel, have doubled its offering of independent trips this year and says “solos” now represent 50% of its customers. Its small group tours for solo travellers aim to offer a “ready-made group of friends”

Abta reported that, overall, the number of British people taking a holiday remained high, with 86% of respondents taking a holiday at home or abroad in the 12 months to August 2018. Package holidays remain a popular choice for holidays abroad and city breaks were still the most popular type of trip: 48% of those surveyed having taken one this year, closely followed by beach holidays (40%).

Despite the positive figures from Abta, the British tourist authority chairman Steve Ridgway’s response had a note of caution, in light of Brexit: “We face a number of significant challenges, the most important, the UK’s departure from the European Union. We want to ensure that the future relationship keeps our borders as frictionless as possible for visitors, our aviation as connected as ever and our economic stability on track, because tourism depends on this.”

Adapted from The Guardian 9^th October 2018

Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

1. More and more travellers want to feel free when choosing their holiday activities.
2. Agents have had no reaction to solo travelling.
3. British people no longer choose holidays which include everything they need to travel.
4. Future political changes may affect the tourist industry.

Question 2 [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.

1. Why are more and more people taking a holiday on their own?
2. How does technology help solo travelers?

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

1. to choose (par.2)
2. chance (par.3)
3. ascending (par.4)
4. variety (par.5)
5. to confront (par.7)

Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose and write the most suitable answer (a, b, c or d) according to the text and write the sentence onto your worksheet

1. The British tourist authority is cautious...

a) although the positive figures from Abta.

b) however, Abta gave positive figures.

c) even though Abta gave positive figures.

d) due to the positive figures from Abta.

2. Solo travellers would not feel so confident...

a) unless they have apps to help them.

b) if they used apps to help them.

c) whether they used apps to help them.

d) if they did not have apps to help them.

3. Social media and apps help solo travellers...

a) to contact their local agent.

b) talk to their group partners.

c) help them with the language barrier in foreign countries.

d) book a table at a restaurant.

Question 5: [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (about 120-150 words) on the following topic:

Advantages and disadvantages of package holidays.

KEY

Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are true or false and write down which part of the text justifies your answer.

1. TRUE “Solo travel is on the rise as a growing number of holidaymakers opt for trips that allow them to “do what they want” OR “Having the opportunity to do whatever they wanted was the most common reason given”
2. FALSE “Travel companies have responded to demand by offering a range of options for people booking by themselves”
3. FALSE “Package holidays remain a popular choice for holidays abroad”
4. TRUE “Despite the positive figures from Abta, the British tourist authority chairman Steve Ridgway’s response had a note of caution, in light of Brexit”

Question 2 [2 POINTS] Answer the following questions in your own words.

1. There is a growing number of people travelling alone since this way of travelling offers them the freedom to choose what they can do; whereas before they wanted to have time for themselves or just meet new friends.
2. Technology helps solo travellers as they feel they can rely on it if they have problems with the language and can communicate easily with other people travelling on their own; what’s more, they can even contact locals, who they can meet for dinner or for accommodation.

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given.

1. to opt for
2. opportunity
3. upward
4. range
5. to face

Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose the most suitable answer (a, b or c) according to the text.

1. c) ...even though Abta gave positive figures.

2. d) if they did not have apps to help them.

3. c) help them with the language barrier in foreign countries.

Verb tenses: conditional

Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets.

      1. The customers wish the shop ………………… (stay) open later in the evening.

      2. If you had watered the garden, the grass ……………………… (not turn) brown.

      3. No one will see your new dress if you ………………… (not remove) your coat.

      4. ……………… the hotel room ………………… (be) ready if we arrive early?

      5. If the dog …………… (not bark) at the burglar, Tony wouldn’t have woken up.

      6. I wish you ……………………………… (not cancel) the picnic last weekend.

      7. The school ……………………… (not allow) students to go on the trip unless their parents agree.

      8. If I were a good runner, I ……………………… (participate) in the marathon.

KEY

1. would stay    

    2. wouldn’t have turned

    3. don’t remove

    4. Will … be

    5. hadn’t barked

    6. hadn’t cancelled

    7. won’t allow

    8. would participate