Unit 15: Laika, the Space Dog

Click or select any word to translate.

Word List

  • conj. You use although to say that one thing is contrasted by another.
    Although she was late, her friends gave her a warm welcome.
  • v. To apply something means to put it on.
    She always applies makeup to her face before going outside.
  • v. To await something means to wait for it.
    The players awaited the referee's decision.
  • adj. When something is beloved, it is very special and you like it very much.
    The boy took a nap next to his beloved cat.
  • n. A climate is the usual weather in a place.
    The climate in the desert is very hot.
  • v. When you complain, you say that you are unhappy about something.
    The workers complained that they were being treated unfairly.
  • v. To confuse someone means to make them feel like they are unsure.
    The sign confused the traveler because it pointed in two directions.
  • adj. When something is due, it is expected to happen or be done at that time.
    The papers were due on the 19th.
  • v. To establish something means to create it.
    He wanted to establish a club for people to help the Earth.
  • n. A furnace is a place where heat is made.
    Mr. Jones came to fix the furnace.
  • n. A leash is a rope or chain that is used to lead an animal.
    Dogs must wear a leash to keep them from running away.
  • v. To mature means to grow up to become an adult.
    When they matured, they became as tall as their parents.
  • v. To measure something means to find out the quality, value, or effect of it.
    The scientists carefully measured the amount of chemicals in the tubes.
  • n. The midst of something is the middle of it.
    She was in the midst of cleaning when the telephone rang.
  • n. Misery is extreme suffering.
    There was a lot of misery after Sam lost his dog.
  • adj. Powerless means without power or authority.
    I fear my father is powerless now.
  • adj. When something happened prior to something else, it happened earlier.
    Ron had to wait since he arrived prior to the scheduled meeting time.
  • n. Research is close and careful study to discover new things.
    Scientists did a lot of research on the subject of blood type.
  • n. A spaceship is a craft designed for spaceflight.
    Many people want to travel into space by spaceship.
  • n. A variety of something is a group of many different kinds of it.
    There are a variety of flowers at the shop.

 

Exercise

A ‣ Write the word that best fits each blank.

  1. research / await
    After weeks of hard work, the scientists must _____ the results of their _____.
  2. misery / beloved
    After the death of her _____ pet, the woman felt nothing but _____ for many weeks.
  3. complained / variety
    The store had a _____ of canned vegetables, but the man _____ that they didn't have his favorite brand.
  4. due / confused
    The new schedule _____ passengers, who thought the train was _____ at 8 a.m.
  5. climate / establish
    The island was a great place to _____ a hotel since the _____ was warm throughout the year.
  6. although / prior
    _____ he had a lot of bad luck in the past, he refused to let _____ events stop him from moving forward.
  7. furnace / powerless
    When I complained about the _____ not working, my friend didn't realize that I was _____ to change the situation.
  8. mature / midst
    In the _____ of a terrible war, the young boys had to _____ quickly.
  9. measured / leash
    To make sure the dog's _____ was long enough, Bob took out a ruler and _____ it.
  10. spaceship / apply
    After seeing the _____ take off into the sky, the young girl resolved to _____ to the space program when she grew up.

 

B ‣ Match the phrases to make complete sentences.

  1. Although he didn't know how to dance, _____.
    • a. he went to the party anyway
    • b. before new medicines can be created
    • c. a school for blind children
    • d. a room warm during the winter
    • e. a dog from running away
    • f. many travelers want to vacation there
    • g. always calmed her
    • h. the team's best player had to be replaced
    • i. around 7:00 in the morning
    • j. food to choose from at the store
  2. A furnace keeps _____.
    • a. he went to the party anyway
    • b. before new medicines can be created
    • c. a school for blind children
    • d. a room warm during the winter
    • e. a dog from running away
    • f. many travelers want to vacation there
    • g. always calmed her
    • h. the team's best player had to be replaced
    • i. around 7:00 in the morning
    • j. food to choose from at the store
  3. Florida's warm climate makes _____.
    • a. he went to the party anyway
    • b. before new medicines can be created
    • c. a school for blind children
    • d. a room warm during the winter
    • e. a dog from running away
    • f. many travelers want to vacation there
    • g. always calmed her
    • h. the team's best player had to be replaced
    • i. around 7:00 in the morning
    • j. food to choose from at the store
  4. He wanted to establish _____.
    • a. he went to the party anyway
    • b. before new medicines can be created
    • c. a school for blind children
    • d. a room warm during the winter
    • e. a dog from running away
    • f. many travelers want to vacation there
    • g. always calmed her
    • h. the team's best player had to be replaced
    • i. around 7:00 in the morning
    • j. food to choose from at the store
  5. The train was due to arrive at _____.
    • a. he went to the party anyway
    • b. before new medicines can be created
    • c. a school for blind children
    • d. a room warm during the winter
    • e. a dog from running away
    • f. many travelers want to vacation there
    • g. always calmed her
    • h. the team's best player had to be replaced
    • i. around 7:00 in the morning
    • j. food to choose from at the store
  6. A lot of research is needed
    • a. he went to the party anyway
    • b. before new medicines can be created
    • c. a school for blind children
    • d. a room warm during the winter
    • e. a dog from running away
    • f. many travelers want to vacation there
    • g. always calmed her
    • h. the team's best player had to be replaced
    • i. around 7:00 in the morning
    • j. food to choose from at the store
  7. Shoppers have a variety of _____.
    • a. he went to the party anyway
    • b. before new medicines can be created
    • c. a school for blind children
    • d. a room warm during the winter
    • e. a dog from running away
    • f. many travelers want to vacation there
    • g. always calmed her
    • h. the team's best player had to be replaced
    • i. around 7:00 in the morning
    • j. food to choose from at the store
  8. In the midst of the game _____.
    • a. he went to the party anyway
    • b. before new medicines can be created
    • c. a school for blind children
    • d. a room warm during the winter
    • e. a dog from running away
    • f. many travelers want to vacation there
    • g. always calmed her
    • h. the team's best player had to be replaced
    • i. around 7:00 in the morning
    • j. food to choose from at the store
  9. A leash keeps _____.
    • a. he went to the party anyway
    • b. before new medicines can be created
    • c. a school for blind children
    • d. a room warm during the winter
    • e. a dog from running away
    • f. many travelers want to vacation there
    • g. always calmed her
    • h. the team's best player had to be replaced
    • i. around 7:00 in the morning
    • j. food to choose from at the store
  10. Her beloved sister _____.
    • a. he went to the party anyway
    • b. before new medicines can be created
    • c. a school for blind children
    • d. a room warm during the winter
    • e. a dog from running away
    • f. many travelers want to vacation there
    • g. always calmed her
    • h. the team's best player had to be replaced
    • i. around 7:00 in the morning
    • j. food to choose from at the store

 

C ‣ Match the clauses to make complete sentences.

  1. To determine if the new drug was safe, _____.
    • a. scientists measured all the effects
    • b. but his prior works were very successful
    • c. but the pain in his ankle gave him too much misery
    • d. so the diners complained to the waiter
    • e. so he became confused
  2. His newest book did not sell well, _____.
    • a. scientists measured all the effects
    • b. but his prior works were very successful
    • c. but the pain in his ankle gave him too much misery
    • d. so the diners complained to the waiter
    • e. so he became confused
  3. He wanted to finish the race, _____.
    • a. scientists measured all the effects
    • b. but his prior works were very successful
    • c. but the pain in his ankle gave him too much misery
    • d. so the diners complained to the waiter
    • e. so he became confused
  4. He lost his map, _____.
    • a. scientists measured all the effects
    • b. but his prior works were very successful
    • c. but the pain in his ankle gave him too much misery
    • d. so the diners complained to the waiter
    • e. so he became confused
  5. The soup was cold, _____.
    • a. scientists measured all the effects
    • b. but his prior works were very successful
    • c. but the pain in his ankle gave him too much misery
    • d. so the diners complained to the waiter
    • e. so he became confused

 

Laika, the Space Dog

One of the world's most beloved space travelers was also the furriest. Laika was a little dog living on the streets of Moscow, Russia. She matured on the streets because no one would give her a home. She had to learn how to live without eating much. She found ways to keep warm in a very cold climate. Scientists thought a tough dog like Laika would do well in a project they were putting together.

In a prior launch, Russia had put the first man-made object into space. Now, scientists wanted to see if a living thing could go into space. Although many facts about space had been learned, they weren't enough to help send humans into space safely yet.

Laika and two other dogs were chosen to help scientists with their research. The animals were used in a variety of tests. In the end, though, only Laika would go into space. On November 3, 1957 the Sputnik 2 spaceship was due to leave Earth.

Scientists carefully applied wires to Laika's skin to measure her body's reactions once she got into space. Laika also wore a special leash. Without it, she would float around in the spaceship. Soon after, Laika left the planet. Scientists on Earth awaited information from the ship.

But in the midst of so much excitement, something very sad happened. Scientists were able to tell that Laika was under a lot of stress. The trip confused and scared her. Laika's entire ship had become as hot as a furnace. Scientists were powerless to help the dog in her misery. After about five hours, Laika died.

Some have complained that the little dog should never have been used in the mission. Scientists knew that she would not survive the trip. Laika was never buried, but a memorial has been established in Moscow. There are many songs and books about her, too. It seems that Laika became a hero to many people.

 

Reading Comprehension

Part A: Mark each statement T for true or F for false. Rewrite the false statements to make them true.

  1. _____ Scientists did a variety of tests for research before the Sputnik 2 was due to leave.
    __________
  2. _____ Wires were applied to Laika's leash so that scientists could find the ship.
    __________
  3. _____ Although Laika could not be buried, a spaceship was established in her honor.
    __________
  4. _____ In the midst of the scientists' excitement, Laika's ship became too hot.
    __________
  5. _____ In a prior launch, scientists sent two other dogs into space.
    __________
  6. _____ Many people complained that Laika should not have gone to space.
    __________

 

Part B: Answer the questions.

  1. What is the passage about?
    • a. Sending animals into space
    • b. Testing on animals
    • c. Adopting a lost dog
    • d. Following an astronaut
  2. Why did Laika die during the trip?
    _____
  3. Why did scientists apply wires to Laika's skin?
    _____

 

Answer Key

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