News by Levels · Level 2 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
Swift Finishes Its Long Science Mission
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 prevents steady telescope pointing?
Correct answer: C — Greater atmospheric drag
Why: The opening identifies drag.
Clue in the story: NASA announced that Swift’s science mission had ended, with its final observation on October 20. Greater atmospheric drag in its low orbit prevents stable telescope pointing.
Which part is still a future expectation?
Correct answer: A — Atmospheric re-entry
Why: Re-entry is described as expected.
Clue in the story: The spacecraft is expected to re-enter the atmosphere in coming weeks. Nearly 22 years of archived observations remain available for research.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Separate the final observation from the expected re-entry.
One possible answer: Observations ended before the announcement. Re-entry is expected later; archived data remains useful.
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.