News by Levels · Level 1 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
In this lesson: Identify the shared supply and separate ground tests from launch.
One fuel supply, two kinds of propulsion
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 do the chemical and electric thrusters share?
Correct answer: B — One fuel supply
Why: The opening paragraph explicitly describes one supply feeding both.
Clue in the story: NASA reported on 25 September that its ASCENT CubeSat had completed ground tests. One fuel supply feeds chemical and electric thrusters.
Which event did the later update report?
Correct answer: C — Launch on 1 October
Why: The third paragraph reports the later launch.
Clue in the story: Later update: NASA reported the satellite’s launch on 1 October. Launch is another milestone, but is not the same as completing the planned propulsion demonstration.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Name the completed stages and the result not established by launch alone.
One possible answer: Ground tests were completed, and a later update reported launch on October 1. Launch alone did not establish completion of the planned propulsion demonstration.
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
An action earlier than a report
had completed ground tests
Past perfect places the tests before the September report that described them.