Armstrong's Poetic Slip
Share with us: What did you understand from the video, audio and the article on the site? What lead the scientists to conclude that he didn't pronounce the "a"? Did you hear the "a" or not?
Try to sound logical. Prove your point by the facts from the article, the video and the audio.
You might want to read what ordinary guys think about the slip.
Share with us: What did you understand from the video, audio and the article on the site? What lead the scientists to conclude that he didn't pronounce the "a"? Did you hear the "a" or not?
Try to sound logical. Prove your point by the facts from the article, the video and the audio.
You might want to read what ordinary guys think about the slip.
Before - reading
1. We're going to read about the first man on the moon. Do you remember his name and the year of the landing?
2. Some media claim there never was such a landing? Do you believe it actually happened? Why not?
3. Do the Quiz
Quiz:
2. When did he land on the moon? In 1959 In 1969 In 1979
3. What was the first thing he said when he landed?
a. "Wow! It's so big!"
b. "I'm floating in a most peculiar way."
c. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind"
WR: - Spot the mistake.
1. In each extract (except 6) one definite article is missing. Can you find it?
2. Find and write the word from the extract next to its definition below. Use this word in your retelling. After you’ve finished tell him the definition of the word. Will he be able to say it?
"Man" Controversy
1. As Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon, a global audience of 500 million people were watching and listening. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," they heard him say as he dropped from the ladder of his spacecraft to make the first human footprint on the lunar surface. It was the perfect quote for such a momentous occasion. But from moment he said it, people have argued about whether the NASA astronaut got his lines wrong. ____________________ - very important because of having an effect on future events
2. Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, who stepped outside, a few seconds after him, landed the Apollo 11 spacecraft on the Moon on 20th July 1969. In tense six hours and forty minutes between landing on the moon and step out oif the capsule, Armstrong wrote what he knew would become some of the most memorable words in history.
______________________ - worth remembering or easy to remember, because of being special in some way
3. Armstrong has always insisted that he wrote 'one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind,' which would have been a more meaningful and grammatically correct sentence. Without missing "a", the intended meaning of the sentence is lost. In effect, the line means, "That's one small step for mankind. (i.e. humanity)", one giant leap for mankind.' ___________________________________ - all the people who are living in the world
4. But did he really say the sentence incorrectly? Until now Armstrong himself had never been sure if he actually said what he wrote. In his biography First Man he told the author James Hansen, "I must admit that it doesn't sound like the word "a" is there." On the other hand, certainly the "a" was intended, because that's only way it makes sense.' _____________________ – to want something to have a particular meaning
5. But now, after almost four decades, the spaceman has been vindicated. Using hi-tech sound analysis techniques, Peter Shann Ford, an Australian computer expert has discovered that the 'a' was spoken by Armstrong, but he said it so quickly that it was inaudible on recording which was broadcast to the world. _________________________________ - to prove that someone who was accused of a crime or dishonest act is not guilty
6. Mr. Ford's findings have been presented to a relieved Mr. Armstrong. James Hansen said, "Neil is a modest guy, but I think it means a lot to him to know that he didn't make a mistake."
___________________________________________ - happy and relaxed because something bad has not happened or because a bad situation has ended
Read the whole text again. Then, in pairs, say why the following names and numbers are mentioned.
20th July
6 hours and 40 minutes
500 million
Buzz Aldrin
First Man
James Hansen
Peter Shann Ford
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Teacher’s Copy
"Man" Controversy
1. As Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon, a global audience of 500 million people were watching and listening. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," they heard him say as he dropped from the ladder of his spacecraft to make the first human footprint on the lunar surface. It was the perfect quote for such a momentous occasion. But from the moment he said it, people have argued about whether the NASA astronaut got his lines wrong. ____________________ - very important because of having an effect on future events
2. Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, who stepped outside, a few seconds after him, landed the Apollo 11 spacecraft on the Moon on 20th July 1969. In the tense six hours and forty minutes between landing on the moon and step out oif the capsule, Armstrong wrote what he knew would become some of the most memorable words in history.
______________________ - worth remembering or easy to remember, because of being special in some way
3. Armstrong has always insisted that he wrote 'one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind,' which would have been a more meaningful and grammatically correct sentence. Without the missing "a", the intended meaning of the sentence is lost. In effect, the line means, "That's one small step for mankind. (i.e. humanity)", one giant leap for mankind.' ___________________________________ - all the people who are living in the world
4. But did he really say the sentence incorrectly? Until now Armstrong himself had never been sure if he actually said what he wrote. In his biography First Man he told the author James Hansen, "I must admit that it doesn't sound like the word "a" is there." On the other hand, certainly the "a" was intended, because that's the only way it makes sense.' to intend – to want something to have a particular meaning
5. But now, after almost four decades, the spaceman has been vindicated. Using hi-tech sound analysis techniques, Peter Shann Ford, an Australian computer expert has discovered that the 'a' was spoken by Armstrong, but he said it so quickly that it was inaudible on the recording which was broadcast to the world. to vindicate - to prove that someone who was accused of a crime or dishonest act is not guilty
6. Mr. Ford's findings have been presented to a relieved Mr Armstrong. James Hansen said, "Neil is a modest guy, but I think it means a lot to him to know that he didn't make a mistake."
relieved - happy and relaxed because something bad has not happened or because a bad situation has ended
Read the whole text again. Then, in pairs, say why the following names and numbers are mentioned.
20th July
6 hours and 40 minutes
500 million
Buzz Aldrin
First Man
James Hansen
Peter Shann Ford
After listening to the fragment 6.1, ask SS if they want to go to outer space as a tourist. Which planet if any would they like to visit?
This activity was taken from New English File Upper-Intermediate and spruced up a little.
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