2020-2021学年度第6期总第805期
Searching Venus’s sky (P6)
新建区第一中学  邬华

Warm up: What is Venus?
Venus is the second planet from the sun and the closest in size to Earth.

1.What are scientists’ views on Venus?
It's a completely inhospitable planet.

2. Why can’t we live on Venus?
It has a hot temperature and dry atmosphere.

Venus is the brightest planet when seen from Earth.
Reading for main idea
Read the passage and choose its main idea.

A. A newly detected gas may indicate possible existence of life on Venus.
B. Scientists found the most hospitable place on Venus.
C. The environment on Venus changed in favor of life.
D. Phosphine formed on Venus means alien life is present.

Key: A
Reading for details
1. Why was the finding of phosphine exciting?
It is a potential sign of life on Venus.

2. What is phosphine?
It is a colorless and toxic gas.

3. Why does phosphine indicate possibilities of life?
It is the same as the gas on Earth made by microorganisms that live in oxygen-free    
environments.

4. Where was it found?
In the layer of clouds about 48 kilometers above Venus’ surface.

5. What made the formation of phosphine on Venus possible?
It may be due to the presence of life.
Homework
Compare Venus and Earth and figure out what makes life hospitable on a planet.