Learn English Reading: A Simple Guide to Living in Space
Welcome to the World of Space
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what is out there? Space is a huge, dark, and beautiful place. For a long time, humans could only look at the stars from Earth. Today, people actually live in space! Reading about space is a great way to learn new English words and practice your reading skills. In this article, we will explore how people live in space every day.
What is the International Space Station?
The International Space Station, or ISS, is a very big laboratory that flies around the Earth. It is like a large, scientific house in the sky. The ISS is in orbit. This means it goes around our planet in a big circle. It travels very fast—about 28,000 kilometers per hour! Because it moves so quickly, the people inside see the sun rise and set 16 times a day. That is incredible!
Many countries worked together to build the ISS. Astronauts from the United States, Europe, Japan, Russia, and other places go there to work. An astronaut is a person who is trained to travel in a spacecraft. When they are on the ISS, they usually stay there for about six months to complete their mission.
Floating and Gravity
On Earth, things fall to the ground because of gravity. Gravity is an invisible force that pulls things down. In space, gravity works differently. The ISS is falling around the Earth, which creates a feeling of zero gravity. Because of this, everything inside the space station will float.
Imagine living in a house where you can float from the kitchen to the bedroom! It sounds like a lot of fun, but it also makes everyday tasks very difficult. You cannot put a cup of water on a table because it will float away. You cannot walk normally; you have to pull yourself along the walls using your hands and special handles.
A Day in the Life: Morning Routine
Astronauts have a very busy schedule. Their day starts early in the morning. When they wake up, they cannot take a normal shower. Water would float everywhere and could damage the expensive computers. Instead, they use wet towels and special soap that does not need water to clean their bodies.
Brushing their teeth is also a different experience. They cannot spit their toothpaste into a sink. They have to swallow it or spit it into a special towel. It sounds strange, but it is necessary when you live in a place with zero gravity!
Working as a Scientist in Space
After they clean up, it is time to work. The ISS is a laboratory, so astronauts spend most of their time doing experiments. An experiment is a scientific test. They study how plants grow in space. They study how fire burns without gravity. They also study their own bodies to see how living in space changes human muscles and bones.
This work is very important. The things we learn in space help us make better medicine and technology on Earth. It also helps scientists prepare for future missions. In the future, humans want to travel to Mars, so we need to know how the body reacts to being in space for a very long time.
Eating and Drinking
Lunchtime in space is an interesting experience. Astronauts cannot eat foods that make a lot of crumbs. Crumbly foods like dry bread or cookies are dangerous because the small pieces can float into the machines or into the astronauts' eyes. Instead of bread, they use flat tortillas.
Most of their food comes in special bags. Sometimes they have to add hot water to the bag before they eat it. They use scissors to open the bags and eat with a spoon or fork. If they are not careful, their food will float away from their spoon!
Drinks also come in bags with a straw. If an astronaut squeezes a drop of water out of the bag, it turns into a perfect, round ball of liquid. They can play with it and catch the floating water ball in their mouths.
Exercising for Two Hours a Day
On Earth, our muscles and bones work hard every day just to stand up, walk, and carry things. Earth's gravity gives us a natural workout. In space, floating is very easy. The body does not have to work hard at all. Because of this, an astronaut's muscles can become weak very quickly.
To stay healthy, astronauts must exercise for at least two hours every single day. They have special equipment, like a treadmill for running and a bicycle machine. However, they have to tie themselves to the machines with heavy straps. If they do not use straps, they will float away when they try to run!
Free Time and Sleeping
Astronauts do not work all the time. They have free time in the evenings and on weekends. During their free time, they love to look out the window. The ISS has a special window called the Cupola. From there, they can see the beautiful blue oceans, white clouds, and bright city lights of Earth. They also read books, watch movies, and call their families on Earth.
When it is time to sleep, they do not use a normal bed. They sleep in sleeping bags. These sleeping bags are tied to the walls of a small personal cabin. They have to tie themselves down so they do not bump into computers or other people while they are sleeping. Some astronauts say it is very comfortable because you feel like you are resting on a soft cloud.
Why Learning About Space is Great for English
Reading about fascinating topics like space is a wonderful way to improve your English. When you read about new things, you learn new vocabulary words. You also see how English grammar is used in real sentences. If you practice reading a little bit every day, your English will get better and better. At See Guru, our private tutors can help you talk about space and many other interesting subjects! Book a lesson today to practice your speaking skills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long do astronauts usually stay in space?
Most astronauts stay on the International Space Station for about six months. Sometimes, they stay for a whole year to help scientists study how the human body changes in space over a longer period of time.
Can you see the International Space Station from Earth?
Yes, you can! The ISS is very bright and moves very fast. If you look at the night sky at the right time, it looks like a fast-moving, bright star. You do not even need a telescope to see it.
How can I practice my English with this article?
Read the article slowly. Write down any new vocabulary words in a notebook. Try to read the sentences out loud to practice your pronunciation. Finally, discuss what you learned with your See Guru English tutor!
Vocabulary
| English | Translation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Astronaut A person who is trained to travel into outer space. | Astronaut | The astronaut waved at the camera from the space station. |
| Laboratory A room or building used for scientific work and experiments. | Laboratory | Scientists mix chemicals and test ideas in the laboratory. |
| Orbit The curved path of an object moving around a planet or star. | Orbit | The moon is in orbit around the Earth. |
| Mission An important job or journey that has a specific goal. | Mission | Their mission is to travel to Mars and find water. |
| Gravity The natural force that pulls objects toward the ground. | Gravity | Because of gravity, the apple falls from the tree to the ground. |
| Float To stay in the air or on the water without falling or sinking. | Float | The balloons will float into the sky if you let them go. |
| Experiment A scientific test done to learn something new. | Experiment | We did an experiment in science class to see how plants grow. |
| Muscle The part of the body that helps you move and gives you strength. | Muscle | He goes to the gym to make his arm muscles stronger. |
| Crumb A very small piece of dry food, like bread or cake. | Crumb | Please clean up the bread crumbs from the table. |
| Liquid A substance that flows freely, like water or milk. | Liquid | You need to drink plenty of clear liquid when you are sick. |
| Equipment The tools or machines needed for a particular activity. | Equipment | A camera and a tripod are important equipment for a photographer. |
| Fascinating Extremely interesting. | Fascinating | I read a fascinating book about the history of the universe. |
Grammar Tip: Using 'Must' and 'Have To' for Space Rules
When we talk about rules or things that are necessary, we often use the modal verbs must and have to. In space, astronauts have many strict rules to stay safe and healthy.
Examples of rules:
- Astronauts must exercise for two hours a day. (It is a strong rule).
- They have to tie their sleeping bags to the wall. (It is necessary).
To talk about things that are NOT necessary, we use don't have to. But be careful! Must not means something is forbidden (not allowed).
- Astronauts don't have to wash dishes. (They use disposable bags, so it is not necessary).
- Astronauts must not eat crumbly bread. (It is dangerous, so it is forbidden).
Practice making your own sentences using these words about your daily routine!
Ready to practice these words?
Book a private English lesson on See Guru and practice in real conversation!
Start Learning
