First Man on Moon Dies Aged 82

Neil Armstrong, the first man to step foot on the Moon, has passed away at the age of 82. The legendary U.S. astronaut died from complications following heart surgery he had earlier this month. He made history on July 20, 1969 as commander of the Apollo 11 Moon-landing mission. As he stepped onto the Moon's surface, he famously spoke the words: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." 

He was 38 at the time of his historic walk and instantly became one of the most famous people on the planet. However, he spent the rest of his life trying to avoid the spotlight and downplay his achievement. He later said he never understood why people focused so much on what he did.

Armstrong was born in 1930 and grew up fascinated with flying after taking a plane at the age of 6. He began making model planes and collecting books and magazines on aviation. As a teenager, he got his pilot's license before his driving license. In 1949, he became a Navy pilot, and flew combat missions in the Korean War. In 1958, he joined the organization that became NASA and became a test pilot. 

Years after his Moon landing, Armstrong was asked how he felt about knowing his footprints would stay on the Moon's surface for thousands of years. He said: "I kind of hope that somebody goes up there one of these days and cleans them up." When asked about the Moon, he said: "It's an interesting place to be. I recommend it."

EXERCISE 1. PRONUNCIATION/WORD VOCABULARY

1. Legendary [LE-GEN-DA-REE]
Meaning: (adjective) Extremely well known; famous or renowned.
Example Sentence: He is the most legendary football player of his time.


2. Fascinated [FAS-SEE-NEI-TED]
Meaning: (adjective)  To be very interested in something or someone 
Example Sentence: I am fascinated about how animals understand each other.

3. Aviation [A-VI-YE-SHUN]

Meaning: (noun) airplane manufacture, development, and design
Example Sentence: The aviation industry is one of the most important source of income in the country.

4. Footprints [FOOT-PRINTS]

Meaning: (noun)a marked effect, impression, or impact; something that a person did to make him remembered all the time
Example Sentence: His research is one of his many footprints in the field of Science.



EXERCISE 2. SHARING IDEAS

1. What do you know about Neil Armstrong?
 2. Why do you think Neil Armstrong wanted his footprints removed?
 3. What would be the best thing about going to the Moon?
 4. What would you do if you could spend a day on the Moon?
 5. What were you interested with when you were growing up?


Article Source