News by Levels · Level 1 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
In this lesson: Identify the completed flybys and future destination.
Two Spacecraft Head Toward Mars
How to use these two pages
Give learners the student worksheet. It contains the story and questions, without the answers. Keep this guide for yourself. Use it to lead the activity and explain the answers afterwards.
Student worksheetA simple 15–20-minute lesson
- Before reading · 2 minutes
Show the title. Ask: “What do you think this story is about?”
- Read and answer · 8–10 minutes
Give out the student worksheet. Learners read for the main idea, then reread to answer the 2 questions. They can compare answers with a partner.
- Discuss and write · 5–8 minutes
Check the answers below together. Ask learners to point to the clue in the story, then finish with the open question.
Adjust the support: Let learners use word help or Level 1 if needed. For a challenge, compare the wording in another level. This activity is not a proficiency test.
Answers to the 2 questions
The question numbers match the student worksheet. Each answer includes a reason and the clue learners can find in the story.
What had both spacecraft completed?
Correct answer: B — Powered flybys of Earth
Why: The first paragraph states that both completed Earth flybys.
Clue in the story: NASA said on November 9 that both ESCAPADE spacecraft had completed powered flybys of Earth. They used Earth’s gravity and engine burns to head toward Mars.
When are they expected at Mars?
Correct answer: A — September 2027
Why: The second paragraph gives the future expected arrival.
Clue in the story: The spacecraft are expected to reach Mars in September 2027. They have not arrived there yet.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Describe what is complete and what is still expected.
One possible answer: Both spacecraft completed powered Earth flybys. They are expected to reach Mars in September 2027 and have not arrived yet.
This is an example, not the only correct answer. Look for a relevant idea, a reason and the learner’s own words. Learners can answer aloud or write one or two sentences.
Grammar to discuss
Expectation
are expected to reach
Are expected to describes a forecast for arrival, not a completed arrival.