Halloween story

1.

Halloween story
from http://science.nasa.gov/science‐news/science‐at‐
nasa/2005/27oct_halloween/

Before you listen
A. Difficult words : complete these sentences with one of the following words
previous – sunset – bad omen – dapple – spooky – soar – scale ‐ lit
1. This Scottish castle is really ………………………………. at night.
2. The ………………………….. looked like the fires of Hell were consuming it —Harry Prince
3. Tobacco and sugar beets are sensitive and should not be planted on land treated the
……………………………………………. year.
4. Wherever you go, your airplane will always be ready to …………………… to the next destination.
5. It's believed to be a ………………………………………………………. if a black cat crosses your path.
6. An open door will switch on the light and it will remain ………………. for two minutes after the
door has been closed again.
7. ………………………………..ing is the existence of irregular spots on an animal's skin. On horses,
………………………………..s are circles of slightly different shade than the rest of the coat.
8. Because the universe is expanding, there are four different distance ………………………..s
commonly found in cosmology.

B. Name a few famous astronomers.
While you listen

A. Choose the correct answer:
a) This programme is about Halloween costumes (including dressing up as a Martian)
b) This programme is about Halloween past and present
c) This programme is about Halloween and astronomy

B. Listen again. Find the answers to these questions in the programme:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
When was this programme originally broadcast?
What were the most popular costumes for Halloween the year before?
Why is Halloween an astronomical holiday?
According to folklore, what happened on the 31st of October?
Why did people become afraid of that date?
What planet is mentioned in the programme?
What is special about this planet?
What will it do on Halloween?
What have astronomers already noticed about this planet?
After listening
For you, is Halloween only an astronomical holiday? If not, what is it exactly? Give reasons

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