IELTS Reading 2024 “The History of Space Exploration”

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IELTS Reading:”The History of Space Exploration“

The History of Space Exploration

The history of space exploration is a testament to humanity’s relentless curiosity and desire to venture beyond our planet. It spans decades of technological innovation, scientific discovery, and geopolitical rivalry, culminating in some of the most significant achievements in human history. From the early dreams of stargazers to the sophisticated missions of the 21st century, space exploration has evolved dramatically, leaving an indelible mark on our understanding of the universe and our place within it.

Early Visions of Space Exploration

The concept of space exploration is not a new one. For centuries, humans have gazed at the stars and pondered what lies beyond. Ancient civilizations, including the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Greeks, developed complex astronomical systems and myths to explain the celestial bodies. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the possibility of human space travel began to seem feasible.

The Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky is often credited as the father of astronautics. In the late 1800s, he formulated the basic principles of rocketry, proposing that rockets could overcome Earth’s gravity and carry humans into space. His work laid the foundation for the eventual development of modern rocketry. Meanwhile, in the United States, the physicist Robert Goddard was conducting his own experiments, launching the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket in 1926. These early pioneers were crucial in setting the stage for what would become the space race.

The Space Race

The mid-20th century witnessed a period of intense competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, often referred to as the “Space Race.” This rivalry was driven by the broader Cold War tensions between the two superpowers, each striving to demonstrate technological and military superiority. Space became the new frontier where this battle for dominance would play out.

The Soviet Union struck the first blow in this competition with the launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957. Sputnik, the world’s first artificial satellite, sent shockwaves across the globe, especially in the United States, where it was seen as a sign that the Soviet Union had taken the lead in technological innovation. Just a month later, the Soviets launched Sputnik 2, carrying the first living creature into space, a dog named Laika.

In response, the United States accelerated its space program. President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958, with the goal of reclaiming the technological edge. The space race intensified further when, in 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into space and orbit the Earth. His mission aboard Vostok 1 was a triumph for the Soviet space program and solidified its lead in the early stages of the space race.

However, the United States soon caught up. In 1962, astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth, and NASA embarked on an ambitious project to land a man on the moon. This goal was achieved on July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the lunar surface. Armstrong’s famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” symbolized the culmination of the space race and the United States’ victory.

Beyond the Moon

While the moon landing was a monumental achievement, it was by no means the end of space exploration. In the decades following the Apollo program, both the United States and the Soviet Union (later Russia) continued to explore space, though the nature of their missions evolved. Rather than focusing on manned missions to distant celestial bodies, the emphasis shifted towards developing space stations and robotic exploration.

The Soviet Union launched the first space station, Salyut 1, in 1971, and the United States followed with its own station, Skylab, in 1973. These stations allowed astronauts to live and work in space for extended periods, conducting experiments in a microgravity environment. However, it was the launch of the International Space Station (ISS) in 1998 that marked a new era of international cooperation in space. The ISS, a joint project involving NASA, the Russian space agency Roscosmos, and several other international partners, has become a hub for scientific research and technological innovation in space.

Meanwhile, robotic probes were sent to explore other planets in our solar system. NASA’s Voyager missions, launched in 1977, provided unprecedented insights into the outer planets, including Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These missions helped to expand our understanding of the solar system and continue to send data back to Earth, even as the probes travel beyond the boundaries of our solar system.

The New Space Age

In the 21st century, space exploration has entered a new phase, characterized by the rise of private companies and renewed interest in manned missions to the Moon and Mars. Companies like SpaceX, founded by entrepreneur Elon Musk, and Blue Origin, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, have revolutionized the space industry by developing reusable rockets and reducing the cost of launching payloads into space. These private ventures have partnered with government agencies like NASA to carry astronauts to the ISS and are actively working towards more ambitious goals, such as establishing human colonies on Mars.

In addition to private enterprise, national space agencies continue to play a critical role in pushing the boundaries of space exploration. NASA’s Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon by 2024, with the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the lunar surface. The Moon is seen as a stepping stone for future missions to Mars, which many experts believe will be the next major milestone in space exploration.

China has also emerged as a significant player in space exploration, launching its own space station, Tiangong, and conducting missions to the Moon and Mars. In 2021, China’s Tianwen-1 mission successfully landed a rover on Mars, making it the third country, after the United States and the Soviet Union, to land a spacecraft on the Red Planet.

The Future of Space Exploration

The future of space exploration holds both exciting possibilities and significant challenges. As technology continues to advance, missions that once seemed impossible are becoming increasingly feasible. Plans for manned missions to Mars, asteroid mining, and even space tourism are all on the horizon. However, these endeavors will require substantial investments in technology, international cooperation, and careful consideration of the ethical and environmental implications of space exploration.

In conclusion, the history of space exploration is a story of human ingenuity, ambition, and perseverance. From the early visions of rocketry to the modern-day endeavors to explore distant planets, space exploration has transformed our understanding of the universe and inspired generations to look to the stars. As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, the next chapter of space exploration promises to be just as thrilling as the last.

Đề bài thi IELTS Reading

Multiple Choice Questions (Câu hỏi trắc nghiệm)

1. What was the first artificial satellite launched into space?
   • A. Apollo 11
   • B. Sputnik 1
   • C. Vostok 1
   • D. Voyager
2. Who is often credited as the father of astronautics?
   • A. Robert Goddard
   • B. Neil Armstrong
   • C. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
   • D. Yuri Gagarin
3. When did the Soviet Union launch Sputnik 1?
   • A. 1957
   • B. 1961
   • C. 1971
   • D. 1969
4. Which program aimed to land a man on the moon?
   • A. Skylab
   • B. Apollo
   • C. Voyager
   • D. Salyut
5. What was the first living creature sent into space?
   • A. Monkey
   • B. Dog
   • C. Cat
   • D. Fish
6. What is the name of the current space station involving multiple countries?
   • A. Salyut 1
   • B. ISS (International Space Station)
   • C. Tiangong
   • D. Skylab
7. Which country successfully landed a rover on Mars in 2021?
   • A. Russia
   • B. United States
   • C. China
   • D. Japan
8. What is the main goal of NASA’s Artemis program?
   • A. Land on Mars
   • B. Return humans to the Moon
   • C. Build a new space station
   • D. Launch another robotic probe to Saturn

True/False/Not Given (Đúng/Sai/Không được đề cập)

9. The first manned space mission was launched by the United States.
   • True / False / Not Given
10. Neil Armstrong was the first human to orbit the Earth.

• True / False / Not Given

11. NASA was founded in response to the launch of Sputnik 1.

• True / False / Not Given

12. China has not yet conducted any missions to Mars.

• True / False / Not Given

13. The Voyager missions explored the inner planets of the solar system.

• True / False / Not Given

14. The International Space Station was launched before Salyut 1.

• True / False / Not Given

15. Elon Musk is the founder of SpaceX.

• True / False / Not Given

16. Tianwen-1 was China’s first successful mission to the Moon.

• True / False / Not Given

Yes/No/Not Given (Có/Không/Không được đề cập)

17. The author believes that the space race was beneficial for technological advancement.

• Yes / No / Not Given

18. The author suggests that space tourism will become common in the near future.

• Yes / No / Not Given

19. The author argues that the Moon should be the final destination for human exploration.

• Yes / No / Not Given

20. The author implies that asteroid mining may be ethically controversial.

• Yes / No / Not Given

Matching Information (Nối thông tin)

21. Match the following milestones with the countries that achieved them:

• A. First artificial satellite
• B. First man on the Moon
• C. First space station
• D. First rover on Mars

Options:

• 1. United States
  2. Soviet Union
  3. China

22. Match the following space missions with their corresponding goals:

• A. Apollo
• B. Artemis
• C. Tianwen-1
• D. Voyager

Options:

• 1. Exploration of the outer planets
  2. Manned mission to the Moon
  3. Mars exploration
  4. Return humans to the Moon

Matching Headings (Nối tiêu đề với đoạn văn)

23. Match the headings to the correct paragraphs:

• A. “The Early Pioneers of Rocketry”
• B. “The Space Race between Superpowers”
• C. “International Cooperation in Space”
• D. “The New Era of Private Space Companies”

Options:

• 1. Paragraph 1
  2. Paragraph 2
  3. Paragraph 3
  4. Paragraph 4

Matching Features (Nối đặc điểm)

24. Match the following individuals with their contributions to space exploration:

• A. Yuri Gagarin
• B. Neil Armstrong
• C. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
• D. Robert Goddard

Options:

• 1. First human in space
  2. Formulated the principles of rocketry
  3. First person to walk on the Moon
  4. Launched the first liquid-fueled rocket

Matching Sentence Endings (Nối phần kết câu)

25. The space race was primarily driven by…

• A. international cooperation in space.
• B. the Cold War rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union.
• C. the desire to explore the outer planets.
• D. technological advancements in private companies.

26. The Voyager missions provided valuable data on…

• A. the Moon.
• B. Mars.
• C. the outer planets.
• D. Earth’s atmosphere.

27. The goal of the Artemis program is to…

• A. send humans to Mars.
• B. explore Saturn’s moons.
• C. establish a sustainable presence on the Moon.
• D. construct a new space station.

Sentence Completion (Hoàn thành câu)

28. The first space station launched by the Soviet Union was called ______.
29. The United States responded to the Soviet space achievements by creating ______.
30. Apollo 11 was the mission that successfully ______ on the Moon.
31. Tianwen-1 was China’s first mission to ______.

Summary Completion (Hoàn thành tóm tắt)

32-34. Complete the summary using words from the text:

The space race was largely driven by Cold War tensions between the ______ and the ______. The Soviets took an early lead with the launch of ______, but the Americans eventually won with the success of the Apollo 11 mission.

35-37. Complete the table based on information from the passage:

Short Answer Questions (Câu hỏi trả lời ngắn)

38. Who launched the first liquid-fueled rocket?
39. Which space station is an international collaboration?
40. What is the long-term goal of NASA’s Artemis program?

Đáp án bài thi IELTS Reading

Multiple Choice Questions (Câu hỏi trắc nghiệm)

1. B. Sputnik 1
2. C. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
3. A. 1957
4. B. Apollo
5. B. Dog
6. B. ISS (International Space Station)
7. C. China
8. B. Return humans to the Moon

True/False/Not Given (Đúng/Sai/Không được đề cập)

9. False
10. False
11. True
12. False
13. False
14. False
15. True
16. False

Yes/No/Not Given (Có/Không/Không được đề cập)

17. Yes
18. Not Given
19. No
20. Not Given

Matching Information (Nối thông tin)

• A: 2. Soviet Union
• B: 1. United States
• C: 2. Soviet Union
• D: 3. China

• A: 2. Manned mission to the Moon
• B: 4. Return humans to the Moon
• C: 3. Mars exploration
• D: 1. Exploration of the outer planets

Matching Headings (Nối tiêu đề với đoạn văn)

• A: 1. Paragraph 1
• B: 2. Paragraph 2
• C: 3. Paragraph 3
• D: 4. Paragraph 4

Matching Features (Nối đặc điểm)

• A: 1. First human in space
• B: 3. First person to walk on the Moon
• C: 2. Formulated the principles of rocketry
• D: 4. Launched the first liquid-fueled rocket

Matching Sentence Endings (Nối phần kết câu)

25. B. the Cold War rivalry between the US and the Soviet Union.
26. C. the outer planets.
27. C. establish a sustainable presence on the Moon.

Sentence Completion (Hoàn thành câu)

28. Salyut 1
29. NASA
30. Landed
31. Mars

Summary Completion (Hoàn thành tóm tắt)

32. United States
33. Soviet Union
34. Sputnik

35-37.

Short Answer Questions (Câu hỏi trả lời ngắn)

38. Robert Goddard
39. International Space Station (ISS)
40. Establish a sustainable presence on the Moon

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