📖 Key Vocabulary — Pre-teach Before Class
Introduce or review these words with students before starting the lesson so they can use them during speaking practice.
1astronomythe scientific study of stars, planets, and space
2a hypothesisa proposed explanation based on limited evidence
3an experimenta scientific procedure to test a hypothesis
4explorationthe act of traveling to discover unknown places
5a telescopean instrument used to observe distant objects in space
6an astronauta person trained to travel and work in space
7a galaxya huge system of stars, gas, and dust
8extraterrestrialoriginating from outside the Earth
9a satellitean object that orbits a planet, natural or artificial
10gravitythe force that attracts objects toward one another
11to launch (a rocket)to send something into space
12innovationthe introduction of new ideas or methods
13a discoverysomething found or learned for the first time
14empirical evidenceinformation based on observation or experiment
15peer reviewthe evaluation of scientific work by other experts
16interstellaroccurring or existing between stars
17a probean unmanned spacecraft used to explore space
18cosmicrelating to the universe as a whole
19to colonizeto establish control or settlement in a new place
20research fundingfinancial support provided for scientific work
✍️ Vocabulary Practice — Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence below with the correct word or phrase from the 20 vocabulary words above. Use each word only once.
▼
a discovery
a galaxy
a hypothesis
a probe
a satellite
a telescope
an astronaut
an experiment
astronomy
cosmic
empirical evidence
exploration
extraterrestrial
gravity
innovation
interstellar
peer review
research funding
to colonize
to launch (a rocket)
- Becoming requires years of rigorous physical and mental training.
- Space has led to countless technological advances that we use in everyday life.
- Astronomers use to observe planets and stars that are millions of miles away.
- Before publication, every scientific paper must go through rigorous .
- Weather forecasts rely heavily on data collected from orbiting the Earth.
- NASA sent to collect samples from the surface of Mars.
- Some scientists believe humans could one day Mars.
- Many breakthroughs in space travel come from in materials science.
- Universities often depend on government to carry out large-scale scientific studies.
- Because of the vast distances involved, travel remains far beyond our current technology.
- Scientists need before they can confirm a new theory.
- The agency is preparing to into orbit next month.
- Our solar system is just a tiny part of called the Milky Way.
- Before starting the experiment, the students had to write down that they planned to test.
- The scientists conducted to see how plants grow in zero gravity.
- Scientists have long searched for evidence of life on other planets.
- She became fascinated with after looking through a telescope for the first time as a child.
- Astronauts float in space because there is almost no acting on them.
- The documentary explored events like the birth and death of stars.
- The team announced that could change our understanding of the early universe.
1.an astronaut
2.exploration
3.a telescope
4.peer review
5.a satellite
6.a probe
7.to colonize
8.innovation
9.research funding
10.interstellar
11.empirical evidence
12.to launch (a rocket)
13.a galaxy
14.a hypothesis
15.an experiment
16.extraterrestrial
17.astronomy
18.gravity
19.cosmic
20.a discovery
🕐 0'–10': Warm-up & Opening Question
Purpose
Help everyone relax, get comfortable speaking, and activate ideas.
Teacher asks👉 "Are you interested in space or scientific discoveries?"
Follow-up questions- What scientific discovery do you find most fascinating?
- Would you ever want to travel to space?
➡ Each student answers briefly (about 1 minute); the teacher asks 1–2 short follow-ups to keep it natural.
🗣️ 10'–45': IELTS Speaking – Part 2 Practice
Format: 1 minute preparation · 2 minutes speaking per student. Students choose or are assigned ONE of the topics below:
Topic 1
Describe a scientific discovery you find interesting.
You should say:
- What the discovery is
- When it was made
- Why it interests you
- And explain how it has affected the world
Topic 2
Describe a documentary or article about science you have read or watched.
You should say:
- What it was about
- Where you found it
- What you learned from it
- And explain why it interested you
Topic 3
Describe a scientist or inventor you admire.
You should say:
- Who this person is
- What they discovered or invented
- Why their work is significant
- And explain why you admire them
➡ Timing suggestion: 1 minute for preparation, then start speaking.
💬 45'–55': Follow-up Discussion (Part 3 style)
The teacher chooses questions related to the topics above, for example:
Space Exploration
- Is it worth spending large amounts of money on space exploration?
- Should space exploration be led by governments or private companies?
- What benefits might come from discoveries made in space research?
Science & Society
- Why is public understanding of science important?
- Do you think school science education prepares students well enough?
- How do scientific breakthroughs sometimes create ethical dilemmas?
a scientific breakthrough – a sudden, important advance in scientific knowledge
to push the boundaries – to go beyond normal limits
ethical implications – the moral consequences of an action or decision
to defy expectations – to do better, or differently, than predicted
➡ Students discuss briefly; the teacher adds ideas, vocabulary, and useful structures.
🌟 55'–60': Wrap-up & Closing
- Quick recap of interesting or strong answers.
- One student summarizes what they learned today.
- Thank the teacher for joining.