PART ONE: Reading and interpreting.

Read the text carefully then do the activities.

The study of the universe is a subject that interests all of humanity. Throughout history, our
view of the world and the stars that surround us has changed dramatically several times.
Europeans used to believe that the earth was at the centre of the universe and that the sun,
planets and all the stars revolved around it. In 1543, an astronomer named Nicholas
Copernicus proposed that the earth and all the planets orbited the sun. In fact, he believed that
the sun was at the centre of the universe. During that same period of time, another
astronomer named Tycho Brahe kept accurate measurements of the positions of the stars and
planets. His student, Johan Kepler, later used these measurements to prove that all the planets,
including Earth, orbit the sun. At the same time, Galileo Galilee first used a telescope to
observe objects in the sky and discovered spots on the sun, moons around Jupiter and craters
on our moon. This showed that the earth is not much different than all the other objects in our
solar system.
Today, scientists know that even Copernicus was wrong. He believed that the sun was at the
centre of the universe. Instead, we now know that the sun is only at the centre of the solar
system. The solar system is made up of all the planets, including our own. The sun is only one
of billions of stars in our galaxy, called the Milky Way. Also, our galaxy is only one of billions
in our universe.
Written by Caitlin Myles.
A) Comprehension.
1. The text is about:
a- The components of the solar system.
b- A brief history of astronomy.
c- Achievements of famous astronomers.
2. Are the following statements true or false?
a- Astronomy has not changed since the beginning of time.
b- The belief that the earth was the centre of the universe was right.
c- All the planets orbit the sun.
d- The sun is not a part of the Milky Way.
3. What or who the underlined words in the text refer to:
that (1) it(2) that same period(2) he(3)
4. Answer the following questions according to the text.
a- Who believed that the earth was the centre of the universe?
b- What helped Kepler to prove that all planets orbit the sun?
c- Why do scientists say that Copernicus was wrong?
B) Text Exploration.
1. Find in the text words that are closest in meaning to the following:
Suggested (2) - exact (2) - composed of (3)
2. Complete the following table as shown in the example.
Verb
Noun
Adjective
Example: to observe
observation
Observable

To believe
..........................

..........................
difference
.

...
acceptable

3. Rewrite sentence (b) so that it means the same as sentence (a).

1. a) Galileo first used a telescope to observe objects in the sky.
1. b) A telescope..............................................................................
2. a) My friend always asks me if we can live on the moon one day.
2. b) My friend always asks me: ......................................................?
3. a) If scientists prove the possibility of life on the moon, people will settle
there.
3. b) Unless................................................................................................
4. Underline the stressed syllable in the following words.
believe- dramatically- astronomy crater
PART TWO: Written Expression.
Choose ONE of the following topics:
Topic1: Using the following notes, write a composition of about 120 to 150 words on
the following:
In what ways is astronomy useful?
- Predicting disasters
- Solving the mysteries of the universe
- Improving telecommunications
- Making celestial and nautical navigation safer
- Calculating time
- Making weather forecasts...etc
Topic2:

Do you think that Man can one day live on the moon? Why or why not