A free interactive reading comprehension for Year 5 KS2 pupils about human space exploration. Read the passage, then answer questions, match vocabulary, practise grammar and write creatively.
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Read the passage carefully. You may look back at it at any time.
1For thousands of years, people have looked up at the night sky and wondered what lies beyond our planet. It was not until the twentieth century that humans finally found a way to leave Earth and explore space directly. The Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 1950s and 1960s pushed both countries to develop powerful rockets and advanced technology at an incredible pace. This rivalry eventually led to one of the greatest achievements in human history: landing astronauts safely on the Moon.
2On 20 July 1969, the Apollo 11 mission achieved something that had never been done before. Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human being to step onto the surface of the Moon, famously describing it as "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." He was followed shortly afterwards by Buzz Aldrin, while a third astronaut, Michael Collins, remained in orbit around the Moon inside the command module. Together, the three astronauts had travelled roughly 380,000 kilometres from Earth to complete this extraordinary mission.
3Since those early Moon landings, space exploration has continued to advance steadily. The International Space Station, often called the ISS, is a huge spacecraft that orbits the Earth and has been continuously occupied by astronauts since the year 2000. Built by space agencies from several different countries working together, the ISS allows scientists to carry out experiments that would be impossible on Earth, studying everything from how the human body changes in space to how plants grow without normal gravity.
4Becoming an astronaut requires years of rigorous training. Candidates must pass demanding physical tests, learn to operate complicated spacecraft systems, and practise surviving emergency situations. They train underwater to simulate the feeling of weightlessness and spend long periods isolated from family and friends to prepare for the psychological challenges of space travel. Even after all this preparation, astronauts must adapt quickly to life aboard a spacecraft, where simple tasks like eating, sleeping and washing become far more complicated without gravity.
5Looking towards the future, space agencies around the world are now focused on returning humans to the Moon and eventually sending astronauts to Mars. Robotic missions have already sent rovers to explore the Martian surface, gathering valuable information that will help scientists plan for human visits. A journey to Mars would take many months and presents enormous challenges, including radiation exposure and the psychological strain of being so far from Earth. Despite these obstacles, many scientists believe that humans could set foot on Mars within the coming decades, opening an entirely new chapter in space exploration.
Statement A: Neil Armstrong was the second person to step onto the Moon.
Statement B: The International Space Station has been continuously occupied since the year 2000.
Match each word from the passage to its correct meaning. Click a word, then click its definition.