TOPIC 16 – Outer Space and Stars
Christopher (English US)
Jenny (English US)
Have you ever learned about outer space and stars?
To be honest with you, I didn’t have a chance to study astronomy; that was not something in our curriculum. Although I know that watching documentaries broadens my knowledge, and that was how I taught myself about this topic, I find astronomy to be tedious, and I have no interest in it. Whenever I accidentally come across astronomy programs, I almost always skip them.
That is why I can only name planets and stars in our solar system and a few constellations.
Are you interested in films about outer space and stars?
Honestly, I rarely watch movies or documentaries about astronomy for a few reasons.
Firstly, because of my lack of interest, I find it unfascinating and monotonous.
Secondly, I think that they are unrealistic or unrelatable. Films set in outer space often involve futuristic technology, or scenarios that may be difficult for some viewers to relate to or find believable. This could make it harder for me to engage with the story or characters.
Thỉrdly, because is quite slow : Some space-themed films, particularly those focused on scientific accuracy and exploration, may have a slower pace compared to action-packed or fast-paced movies. This style of storytelling may not appeal to individuals who prefer more dynamic narratives.
Lastly, I have a sense of fear or anxiety. Space exploration and the universe can evoke feelings of fear or anxiety in some people, and I am no exception. Films that emphasize the dangers or unknown aspects of space may not be enjoyable for those who are sensitive to such themes.
Do you want to go into outer space in the future?
Definitely no. There could be several reasons why I am not really into going into outer space in the future:
Firstly, it can cost an arm and a leg. I know that space travel is currently an expensive and exclusive endeavor. The high costs associated with space tourism or space exploration may make it inaccessible to the majority of people. This can limit the number of individuals who can realistically consider going into outer space.
Secondly, I require physical and psychological challenges: Space travel poses numerous physical and psychological challenges. Extended periods of weightlessness, exposure to radiation, and isolation can have significant impacts on the human body and mind. These challenges may deter individuals who are not willing to face the potential risks and discomforts associated with space travel.
Thirdly, because of my lack of interest or curiosity, I don’t have a deep fascination or curiosity about outer space.
Finally, because I have a sense of fear or uncertainty: Space is vast and largely unexplored. It can evoke feelings of fear, uncertainty, and the unknown for some individuals. The risks associated with space travel, such as accidents or the potential dangers of extraterrestrial encounters, may discourage some people from considering it as a viable option. constellation?
What’s your favorite constellation?
Actually, I don’t know much about the different constellations and how many there are, but I like the Taurus constellation because it is my zodiac sign. The reasons I like it are:
Firstly, it represents patience and perseverance. People born under the Taurus constellation are often patient and perseverant. They have the ability to endure and are not easily deceived by difficulties.
Secondly, those belonging to this zodiac sign are often trustworthy and true to their promises.
Thirdly, Taurus individuals have a fondness for comfort and material possessions. They value their belongings and work around the clock to achieve what they want.
Lastly, Taurus individuals typically possess a practical and reliable mindset. They utilize both theory and practical experience to achieve their goals.
VOCAB
- Broadens knowledge
- Phiên âm: /ˈbrɔːdnz ˈnɑːlɪdʒ/
- Nghĩa: Mở rộng kiến thức
- Ví dụ: Reading books from various genres broadens knowledge and helps develop a well-rounded perspective.
- Curriculum (n)
- Phiên âm: /kəˈrɪkjələm/
- Nghĩa: Chương trình học
- Ví dụ: The school is planning to revise the curriculum to include more practical skills and real-world applications.
- Tedious (adj)
- Phiên âm: /ˈtiːdiəs/
- Nghĩa: Nhàm chán, tẻ nhạt
- Ví dụ: The repetitive data entry task was extremely tedious and made the employees feel bored.
- Come across (v)
- Phiên âm: /kʌm əˈkrɒs/
- Nghĩa: Tình cờ gặp, tình cờ tìm thấy
- Ví dụ: While cleaning the attic, I came across some old photographs that brought back memories from my childhood.
- Constellation (n)
- Phiên âm: /kɒnstɪˈleɪʃən/
- Nghĩa: Chòm sao
- Ví dụ: The night sky was filled with beautiful constellations, including Orion and the Big Dipper.
- Lack of interest
- Phiên âm: /læk əv ˈɪntrɪst/
- Nghĩa: Thiếu sự quan tâm
- Ví dụ: The students’ lack of interest in the subject was evident from their low participation in class discussions.
- To engage with (v)
- Phiên âm: /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒ wɪð/
- Nghĩa: Tương tác với, tham gia vào
- Ví dụ: The speaker encouraged the audience to ask questions and engage with the topic during the presentation.
- Action-packed or fast-paced movies
- Phiên âm: /ˈækʃən pækt/ /fɑːst-peɪst ˈmuːviz/
- Nghĩa: Phim hành động đầy kịch tính hoặc nhanh chóng
- Ví dụ: James Bond movies are known for their action-packed sequences and thrilling chase scenes.
- Appeal to (v)
- Phiên âm: /əˈpiːl tə/
- Nghĩa: Lôi cuốn, hấp dẫn
- Ví dụ: The new advertising campaign is designed to appeal to a younger demographic and capture their attention.
- Narrative (n)
- Phiên âm: /ˈnærətɪv/
- Nghĩa: Câu chuyện, sự kể chuyện
- Ví dụ: The book is a collection of short narratives that explore different themes and perspectives.
- A sense of fear or anxiety
- Phiên âm: /ə sɛns ʌv fɪər ɔːr æŋˈzaɪəti/
- Nghĩa: Một cảm giác sợ hãi hoặc lo lắng
- Ví dụ: Some people experience a sense of fear or anxiety when speaking in public.
- Evoke feelings
- Phiên âm: /ɪˈvoʊk ˈfiːlɪŋz/
- Nghĩa: Gợi lên những cảm xúc
- Ví dụ: The beautiful melody of the song evokes feelings of nostalgia and happiness.
- Cost an arm and a leg (idiom)
- Phiên âm: /kɒst ən ɑːrm ænd ə lɛɡ/
- Nghĩa: Rất đắt đỏ, tốn rất nhiều tiền
- Ví dụ: Buying a luxury sports car can cost an arm and a leg, but some people are willing to pay for the status symbol.
- Physical and psychological challenges
- Phiên âm: /ˈfɪzɪkəl ænd ˌsaɪkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈtʃælɪndʒɪz/
- Nghĩa: Thử thách về mặt vật lý và tâm lý
- Ví dụ: Climbing Mount Everest presents both physical and psychological challenges due to extreme weather conditions and high altitude.
- Exposure to (n)
- Phiên âm: /ɪkˈspoʊʒər tuː/
- Nghĩa: Tiếp xúc với
- Ví dụ: Traveling to different countries provides exposure to diverse cultures and customs.
- Deter (v)
- Phiên âm: /dɪˈtɜːr/
- Nghĩa: Ngăn chặn, cản trở
- Ví dụ: The rainy weather didn’t deter the dedicated fans from attending the outdoor concert.
- The Taurus constellation
- Phiên âm: /ðə ˈtɔːrəs kənstəˈleɪʃən/
- Nghĩa: Chòm sao Kim Ngưu
- Ví dụ: The Taurus constellation is easily recognizable with its bright star Aldebaran.
- Zodiac sign
- Phiên âm: /ˈzoʊdiæk saɪn/
- Nghĩa: Cung hoàng đạo
- Ví dụ: People born between April 20 and May 20 have the Taurus zodiac sign.
- Perseverance (n)
- Phiên âm: /ˌpɜːrsɪˈvɪərəns/
- Nghĩa: Sự kiên trì, sự bền chí
- Ví dụ: With perseverance and determination, she overcame numerous obstacles to achieve her goals.
- Endure (v)
- Phiên âm: /ɪnˈdʊr/
- Nghĩa: Chịu đựng, cam chịu
- Ví dụ: The marathon runner had to endure physical exhaustion and muscle cramps to reach the finish line.
- Trustworthy (adj)
- Phiên âm: /ˈtrʌstˌwɜːrði/
- Nghĩa: Đáng tin cậy
- Ví dụ: I consider him a trustworthy friend because he always keeps his promises and maintains confidentiality.
- Have a fondness for
- Phiên âm: /hæv ə ˈfɒndnəs fɔːr/
- Nghĩa: Có tình cảm, thích thú với
- Ví dụ: She has a fondness for classical music and often attends symphony concerts.
- Work around the clock (idiom)
- Phiên âm: /wɜːrk əˈraʊnd ðə klɑːk/
- Nghĩa: Làm việc cả ngày lẫn đêm
- Ví dụ: During the peak season, the medical staff works around the clock to provide care to patients.
- A practical and reliable mindset
- Phiên âm: /ə ˈpræktɪkəl ænd rɪˈlaɪəbl ˈmaɪndˌsɛt/
- Nghĩa: Tư duy thực tế và đáng tin cậy
- Ví dụ: Engineers need to have a practical and reliable mindset to solve complex problems and ensure the effectiveness of their designs.
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