Prime Time 4, Coursebook

Lunar tourism (Unit 11) Reading: Travelling to the moon? a) What is the report below all about? Skim it quickly and choose the correct answer. The moon can never be a real travel destination for tourists. Moon vacations may be possible in the near future but cost a lot of money. A journey to the moon might be spectacular, but only possible for astronauts. Tourists won’t be interested in extraordinary travel destinations. b) Read the report again. c) Then complete the statements below and circle a), b) or c). 1. The text says that … a) the future of travelling is boring. b) new destinations are dangerous. c) moon vacations are expensive. 2. The report mentions … a) more than one travel website. b) one website that explains future travels. c) two websites for moon travel. 3. People just like you and me … a) have the chance to go the moon. b) haven’t got enough money for space travel. c) should save more money. 4. Travelling to the moon will be … a) extremely dangerous. b) possible soon, but only for astronauts. c) very expensive. 5. The report mentions … which plan space travel in the near future. a) two companies b) three companies c) one company 8j23zj Info What does “lunar” mean? The word “lunar” comes from the Latin word “lunaris” and means relating to the moon or of the moon. E.g. The lunar surface has got lots of rocks. i 1 Have you ever thought about an extraordinary travel destination? In fact, travel websites predict there will be an explosion in the number of extraordinary travel destinations, for example, under- water hotel rooms, which may become a travel option for everybody. Other tourist attractions which might become interesting include a supersonic aircraft that will fly from London to Sydney in only two hours. The most unusual and special tourist destination, however, will be journeys to the moon. The most surprising and interesting destination for holidaymakers will be a trip to the moon or a stay in space. Travel experts have just released information about what holidays in the near future might look like. Together with international technology experts, they have done research on the future of travelling. In fact, the future of travel in the next 20 years includes destinations of previously unimaginable vacation choices for thrill-seeking travellers. Holidays in space are probably the most spectacular prediction. Orbital space travel will be the next hot ticket, and commercial companies such as “Virgin Galactic” or “SpaceX” are planning to make more affordable choices for travellers. For now, however, only very rich people can afford these choices, because the cost of one seat on the Virgin spacecraft (a lunar round trip) is about $250,000. So this kind of travelling is only possible for a few people, and not for you and me. 5 10 15 132 16 Unit Fact detectives one hundred and thirty-two Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv