A student discussion - B1 Listening Practice - British Council

Summary

The transcript captures a discussion comparing Mars and Earth, focusing on their similarities and differences. The conversation explores whether both planets can support human life, considering factors like temperature, distance from the Sun, and day length. While Mars is colder and farther from the Sun, the difference in astronomical units makes the gap seem smaller. The speakers note differences in size, color, atmosphere, gravity, and the presence of water. Earth has a thick atmosphere rich in nitrogen and oxygen, whereas Mars has a thin carbon dioxide atmosphere. Despite differences, they share comparable day lengths and a history of water, highlighting intriguing planetary parallels.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Earth and Mars have some similarities, but Mars cannot currently support human life like Earth can.
• ❄️ Mars is much colder than Earth, averaging around –55°C compared to Earth's variable temperatures.
• ☀️ Earth is 1 astronomical unit (AU) from the Sun, while Mars is 1.3 AU; the distance difference is relatively small compared to Jupiter at 5.2 AU.
• 🔴 Earth is called the Blue Planet, while Mars is the Red Planet due to their distinct colors.
• 📏 Mars is about half the size of Earth, making it significantly smaller.
• 🕰️ Days on both planets are similar in length: Earth has 24 hours, Mars about 24.5 hours.
• 💧 Both planets have water, but Mars’ water is mostly frozen now, whereas Earth is about 70% water.
• 🌬️ Earth’s atmosphere is mostly nitrogen and oxygen, while Mars has a very thin atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide (~1% of Earth's air).
• ⚖️ Mars’ gravity is about 38% of Earth’s gravity, higher than the Moon but much less than Earth.
• 📝 Astronomical units are useful for comparing distances in space, making the relative positions of Earth and Mars easier to understand.

Q & A

What is one of the key similarities between Earth and Mars?

One of the key similarities is that both planets have days of similar lengths, with Earth's day being 24 hours and Mars' day being approximately 24.5 hours.

Why is Mars considered much colder than Earth?

Mars is much colder than Earth because its average temperature is around minus 55 degrees Celsius, whereas Earth only experiences temperatures that low in places like Antarctica.

How do the distances of Earth and Mars from the Sun compare?

Mars is about 228 million kilometers away from the Sun, while Earth is about 150 million kilometers away. In astronomical units (AU), Earth is 1 AU from the Sun, and Mars is 1.3 AU, which makes the difference seem smaller.

How do the colors of Earth and Mars differ?

Earth is known as the 'Blue Planet' because of its large bodies of water, while Mars is called the 'Red Planet' due to the iron oxide (rust) on its surface, which gives it a red appearance.

What is the difference in size between Mars and Earth?

Mars is about half the size of Earth, which impacts its gravity, atmosphere, and overall characteristics.

What is the current state of water on Mars?

Mars likely had large oceans in the past, but today, most of its water is frozen, primarily in the form of ice.

What is the primary difference between the atmospheres of Earth and Mars?

Earth has a thick atmosphere composed mostly of nitrogen and oxygen, which is suitable for supporting life. Mars, on the other hand, has a very thin atmosphere that is around 1% the density of Earth's and is composed mostly of carbon dioxide.

How does the gravity on Mars compare to that on Earth?

Mars has about 38% of Earth's gravity, which means objects on Mars weigh much less than they do on Earth.

What is the significance of using astronomical units (AU) to measure the distance between planets?

Astronomical units (AU) are a convenient way to measure distances in space. 1 AU is the average distance between Earth and the Sun, and using this unit helps to easily compare distances between planets. Mars is 1.3 AU from the Sun, and Jupiter is 5.2 AU.

Can Mars currently support human life?

Currently, Mars cannot support human life without artificial support systems due to its harsh conditions, including extreme cold, lack of breathable air, and low atmospheric pressure.