Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. extra-terrestrial (adj.) [ek-struh ter·res·tri·al] – something occurring outside Earth
Example: Astronauts explore Mars
to find proof of extra-terrestrial life.
2. theory (n.) [thee-uh-ree, theer-ee] – an idea that may be possibly true if proven
Example: His theory about the cause of
the new disease still cannot be proven.
3. testify (v.) [tes-tuh-fahy]– to make a statement based on personal knowledge
Example: The survivor testified about
his experience during the car accident.
4. conscious (adj.)
[kon-shuhs]– being aware of what is happening in one’s surroundings
Example: Some patients may be
physically asleep but mentally conscious.
5. substantiate (v.)
[suhb-stan-shee-ey]– to support with proof or evidence
Example: The crime witness’ statement
must be substantiated for it to be accepted.
Article
Read the text below.
Read the text below.
Extra-terrestrial experiences,
such as alien abductions and UFO sightings, may only be products of the human
mind.
Michael Raduga from the Out-of-Body
Experience Research Center in Los Angeles conducted a study based on his theory
that alien encounters are actually vivid dreams.
Raduga enlisted 20
volunteers to do several mental steps upon being half-awake at night. They were
told to try separating from their bodies at this stage of sleep. If they
successfully dreamt of separating from their bodies, they were instructed to
look for aliens. Otherwise, they should go back to sleep and try again later.
At the end of the study,
more than 50% of the volunteers were able to achieve an either full or partial
out-of-the-body experience. Seven of them successfully made “encounters” with
aliens.
Alexander N., one of the
participants, testified about meeting aliens who only tried to
scare him and did not attempt any contact. He got so frightened that he
returned to his conscious self.
Raduga plans to conduct
more extensive studies to substantiate his theory.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Why do you think some people believe in aliens?
·
Do you believe that there are really other life forms
outside earth? Why or why not?
Discussion B
·
Do you think we have to see everything first before
believing in it?
·
Are there things that you cannot see but still believe
in? Explain your answer.