Name:
Date:
Mars Can Wait. Oceans Can’t.
Amitai Etzioni
DIRECTIONS: Complete the following items after you finish your first read.
1. According to the author, what are the main costs of space exploration?
According to the author, The main costs of space exploration arise from the fact
that we are set on sending humans, rather than robots
2. What percentage of the ocean floor has not been charted?
3. Why do we need to desalinate ocean water?
4. Why does the author say we should not “cry for Mars”?
5. To confirm your understanding, write a summary of “Mars Can Wait. Oceans
Can’t.”
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Name:
Date:
RESEARCH
Research to Clarify Choose an unfamiliar detail from the selection. Briefly
research that detail. In what way does the information you learned shed light on
an aspect of the article?
Research to Explore Choose something from the text that interests you and
formulate a research question.
Mars Can Wait. Oceans Can’t.
Amitai Etzioni
DIRECTIONS: Respond to these questions. Use textual evidence to support your
responses.
1. Analyze What is Amitai Etizioni’s purpose in writing this article?
2. (a) Assess Think about the author’s main argument. What is Etzioni assuming is true
about the amount of money available for space exploration and ocean exploration? (b)
Evaluate What support does the author offer for these assumptions?
3. (a) Analyze How does the author support his argument that it is a better idea to
send robots into space rather than astronauts? (b) Evaluate Which of the author’s
reasons do you find most persuasive? Why?
4. (a) Interpret Why does the author think that the discovery of water on a planet,
which could mean “life” exists or has existed there, is not that important? (b)
Support What does he think is important about ocean exploration? (c) Make a
Judgment Do you agree with the author’s opinion on which type of exploration is
should have a higher priority? Why or why not?
5. Essential Question: What drives people to explore? What have you learned about
exploration by reading this opinion piece?
© by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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