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Hard: Upper intermediate level and above, B2 and above 

Introduction

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1      For years, astronomers have hypothesised about life beyond Earth, especially on the closest planet to Earth – Venus. Venus is often named the Earth's 'evil twin' because of its extremely hot temperature and greenhouse effect, which make it toxic and inhospitable. It is also similar in size, mass and rocky composition.

2     Though no organic molecules have been discovered on Venus, new findings from the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instrument on board NASA's Magellan spacecraft shows caves lurking beneath the surface. Researchers from Nature Communications add that these could offer us new ideas about the evolution of Venus – about how it might have possibly supported life in the past or could again in the future.

3     The caves suggest that lava tubes, otherwise known as pyroducts, could be prevalent. The search for pyroducts was challenging at first because the planet is shrouded in thick clouds of sulphur and carbon dioxide that not only contribute to the immense temperature but also block any view of the surface. However, the recent radar images suggest that a big pyroduct lies near Nyx Mons, a large volcano in the highlands of Venus's Bell Regio region.

4     In a 2026 study called 'Radar-based observation of a lava tube on Venus', it can be understood that, in the field of geoscience, volcanoes play an important role in the evolution of a planet. If we think about Earth billions of years ago, volcanoes released gases that helped form our oceans and our atmosphere. Volcanoes keep Earth warm, wet and habitable. So, we have evidence that there are many active volcanoes on Venus, but will we ever be able to live there?

5    Well, we would require an abundance of water, which is greatly lacking on Venus. But data gathered by the Venus Express orbiter, launched in 2005 by The European Space Agency, could hint toward the planet once having oceans. And though the clouds on Venus rain sulphuric acid, they could still support an exotic biochemistry that thrives in such conditions. There's also plenty of sunlight to serve as a power source for life.

Questions

1. Choose the best summary for the article.

a. Evidence tells us there is life on Venus.
b. There's evidence life may have been possible on Venus.
c. We will all move to Venus in the future.

2. Choose the correct option based on the content of the article.

1. Which is not a reason for why we call Venus Earth's 'twin'?
a. They are made of rock.
b. They are similar in size.
c. They both have toxic atmospheres.

2. Proof of life has recently been discovered in Venus's caves.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

3. It's difficult to observe Venus's surface because the view is blocked by…
a. its clouds.
b. its highlands.
c. the Sun.

4. Which is not a reason for why volcanoes helped the evolution of Earth?
a. Volcanoes decreased the temperature so that life could grow.
b. Volcanoes helped form our oceans.
c. Volcanoes released the gases that make our atmosphere.

5. We don't need lots of water to survive.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

3. Use the words in the box to complete the summary of the article.

So far, scientists have not discovered anything that is 1) _______ on Venus. It's no surprise as the planet is completely 2) _______. This is because of the 3) _______ heat, toxic gases and sulphuric rain. However, 4) _______ studies have revealed volcanic activity that could suggest, not only an evolution of the plane, but a specific 5) _______ that lives there.

biochemistry
geoscience
habitable
hint
immense
inhospitable
organic

Vocabulary 

inhospitable
too difficult for people, animals, or plants to live in

composition
the way something is made up, its parts

organic
relating to living things or made from living matter

molecule
a very small group of atoms joined together

radar
a system that uses radio waves to detect objects and measure distance

lurk
stay hidden and wait secretly

prevalent
common, well-known or widespread

shroud
cover or hide something

immense
extremely large or great

highland
an area of high land or mountains

geoscience
the study of the Earth, including rocks, climate, and oceans

hint
show a small sign of something or suggest something indirectly

biochemistry
the study of chemical processes in living things

thrive
to grow well and be successful or healthy

Answers

1.    Choose the best summary for the article.

b. There's evidence life may have been possible on Venus.

2.    Choose the correct option based on the content of the article.

1. c. It is also similar in size, mass and rockycomposition.

2. b. False.Though no organic molecules have been discovered on Venus, new findings of caves lurking beneath the surface could offer us new ideas about the evolution of Venus.

3. a.The search for pyroducts was challenging at first because the planet is shrouded in thick clouds of sulphur and carbon dioxide…

4. a.If we think about Earth billions of years ago, volcanoes released gases that helped form our oceans and our atmosphere.

5. b. False.Well, we would require an abundance of water which that is greatly lacking on Venus.

3.    Use the words in the box to complete the summary of the article.

So far, scientists have not discovered anything that is organic on Venus. It's no surprise as the planet is completely inhospitable. This is because of the immense heat, toxic gases and sulphuric rain. However, geoscience studies have revealed volcanic activity that could suggest, not only an evolution of the plane, but a specific biochemistry that lives there.

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