Back to latest news

Four People Finish a Mars Test on Earth

The volunteers lived in a special home in Houston for 378 days.

Your learning

Loading your learning…

Space news editorial illustration for NASA Crew Completes 378-Day Mars Simulation in Houston

Beginner support · Translation help

Read with help in your language

Choose a language to see each paragraph translated below the English. Tap highlighted words for a quick meaning.

have a on . They 378 in a in , . The on .

The the in 2025 and on 31, 2026. , they and with .

They had to for , as on a . the will it in .

Source: Reuters via SRN News, 2026-11-01.

Read · Think · Practise

Try this story

Try 3 questions about this story, then explain one idea in your own words. Check the text whenever you need to.

Print a worksheet · Teacher guide & answers

Read and understand · 1/3Where did the NASA test take place?

Read the answer and explanation

On Earth, in Houston. The first paragraph says the test took place on Earth in Houston.

Clue: Four volunteers have finished a long NASA test about living on Mars. They spent 378 days in a special home in Houston, Texas. The test took place on Earth.

Read and understand · 2/3What did the volunteers grow inside the home?

Read the answer and explanation

Plants. The second paragraph says the group grew plants inside.

Clue: The group entered the home in October 2025 and came out on October 31, 2026. Inside, they grew plants and worked with limited supplies.

Read and understand · 3/3Why did the volunteers have to wait for messages?

Read the answer and explanation

To reflect a challenge people on a future Mars trip might face. The article connects message delays with a possible future Mars trip.

Clue: They also had to wait for messages, as people on a future Mars trip might. NASA hopes the experience will help it plan long journeys in space.

Your turn

Describe where the volunteers lived and give one thing they did inside.

See one possible answer

They lived in a special home in Houston, Texas, on Earth. They grew plants and worked with limited supplies.

Your answer can be different. Give a reason and use your own words.

0 of 3 questions checked.

Tell us what helped or felt difficult

Which reading level did you try? Was a sentence unclear? Did the questions help you understand the story?

Send feedback by email

Your three-minute English break

A little English in your inbox.

One short story, one useful phrase, one quick question. Free, up to twice a week.