Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. extraterrestrial (adj.) [ek-struh-tuh-res-tree-uhl] – originating from outside the planet Earth (often shortened to E.T.)
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. extraterrestrial (adj.) [ek-struh-tuh-res-tree-uhl] – originating from outside the planet Earth (often shortened to E.T.)
Example: Witnesses believed the
unusual object flying in the sky was an extraterrestrial aircraft.
2. terrorize (v.) [ter-uh-rahyz] – to cause
widespread fear (usually in order to control or dominate)
Example: The soldiers terrorized the
villagers into following their orders.
3. at odds (idiom) [at odz] – in
disagreement or at conflict
Example: Scientists are at odds
whether aliens are real or not.
4. venture (v.) [ven-cher] – to go on a
journey
Example: They were the first group
to venture to the top of the tallest mountain.
5. strip (v.) [strip] – to remove or to take away something from a
person or a thing
Example: A long dry season could strip
the land of water resources.
Article
Read the text below.
Science fiction movies showing angry
aliens who want to take over Earth is far from reality, says extraterrestrial
life researcher Jill Tarter of the SETI Institute in California.
Tarter disagrees with the possibilities
shown in movies such as "Battleship" and "Men in Black", in
which aliens terrorize humans and violently take over Earth for its
resources. Tarter says that if aliens have advanced enough technology to be
able to visit this planet, they likely would not need humans, or any other
planet to provide their needs.
Her theory is at odds with
Stephen Hawking’s belief. Hawking, a well-known astrophysicist, warns that aliens may venture to Earth and strip it of its
resources.
Tarter, outgoing director of the Center
for SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), says that she
respectfully disagrees with Hawking. She believes extraterrestrial beings may
venture to Earth just to see and learn what is here. She adds that the
universe is much too old, and humans are probably not the first people aliens
meet.
At 68, Tarter is retiring after 35
years of studying the skies for alien life. However, she plans to continue
devoting herself to E.T. hunting. She will help raise money to re-open the Allen
Telescope Array—radio telescopes used for alien searching—which shut down due
to lack of funds.
In SETICon II later this month, Tarter,
along with other scientists, artists, and entertainers, will have discussions
about the place of humanity in the universe and the future of the search for
extraterrestrial life.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
●
Which theory do you agree with, Tarter's (aliens will be
peaceful) or Hawking's (aliens will be harmful)? Why?
●
What do you think is the importance of searching for
extraterrestrial life? Do you think it is worth spending money on?
Discussion B
●
Why do you think media (movies, TV, comics, etc.) often show aliens
at war with humans?
●
If aliens were to visit Earth, what do you think they would
learn about human society?