PART 6
You are going to read an article about the rise of space tourism. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (1-6). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
You are going to read an article about the rise of space tourism. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A-G the one which fits each gap (1-6). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
A TICKET TO THE STARS
For decades, space travel was the exclusive domain of highly trained astronauts and government agencies. It required years of grueling physical preparation and extraordinary scientific knowledge. [ 1 ] The commercialization of the cosmos has officially begun, and it promises to be a highly lucrative industry.Several private aerospace companies are currently locked in a fierce competition to dominate this emerging market. [ 2 ] By doing so, they have dramatically reduced the cost of leaving the atmosphere, making it feasible to launch paying customers into the blackness of space.
The initial civilian flights are strictly suborbital. This means the spacecraft simply touches the edge of space before gliding back down to Earth. [ 3 ] Furthermore, passengers get to unbuckle their seatbelts and float freely around the cabin for a few unforgettable minutes.
However, this extraordinary experience is certainly not accessible to everyone just yet. [ 4 ] That astronomical figure covers not only the short flight itself but also a few days of specialized safety training and medical evaluations prior to launch.
Despite the eye-watering price tag, there is absolutely no shortage of enthusiastic applicants. [ 5 ] These eager future astronauts include celebrities, wealthy entrepreneurs, and adventure seekers who have spent their lives dreaming of seeing Earth from above.
Naturally, this new industry has its critics, who argue that the billions spent on space tourism should be used to solve pressing environmental problems down here. Proponents, however, strongly disagree. [ 6 ] They argue that every major leap in transportation, from early airplanes to automobiles, started as an expensive luxury for the rich before eventually benefiting everyone.
A They believe that pushing the boundaries of exploration will eventually benefit all of humanity through new technologies.
B A single ticket for a suborbital journey currently costs several hundred thousand dollars.
C Their ultimate goal is not just to reach orbit, but to establish permanent commercial settlements on Mars.
D Many have already paid hefty deposits just to secure a spot on the waiting lists for upcoming launches.
E Today, however, we are witnessing the dawn of a completely new era where civilians can simply buy a ticket.
F To achieve this, they have invested billions in developing reusable rockets rather than throwing them away after one use.
G Even during this brief period, they are treated to a breathtaking view of the Earth’s curvature against the black void.
B A single ticket for a suborbital journey currently costs several hundred thousand dollars.
C Their ultimate goal is not just to reach orbit, but to establish permanent commercial settlements on Mars.
D Many have already paid hefty deposits just to secure a spot on the waiting lists for upcoming launches.
E Today, however, we are witnessing the dawn of a completely new era where civilians can simply buy a ticket.
F To achieve this, they have invested billions in developing reusable rockets rather than throwing them away after one use.
G Even during this brief period, they are treated to a breathtaking view of the Earth’s curvature against the black void.
2. Which sentence fits gap 2?
3. Which sentence fits gap 3?
4. Which sentence fits gap 4?
5. Which sentence fits gap 5?
6. Which sentence fits gap 6?