Casa · B2 Upper Intermediate · Lesson 17 of 20 · Step 2

Space & Exploration

Scientific discovery and distancing language

Use distancing language to report information without committing to its truth
Produce structures with 'apparently', 'it seems', 'is thought to', 'is believed to have'
Discuss space exploration, scientific uncertainty, and discovery

Words · tap a card to see it used

Grammar

Distancing language

Distancing language allows speakers and writers to report information without committing to its truth. Common strategies: adverbs ('apparently', 'supposedly', 'allegedly'), impersonal constructions ('it seems/appears that', 'it is thought/believed/reported that'), passive with infinitive ('is thought to be', 'is believed to have been'). These are especially common in academic and journalistic writing.

Apparently, the mission encountered unexpected difficulties during re-entry.

It seems that the probe detected traces of organic compounds.

The planet is thought to contain large reserves of frozen water.

The signal is believed to have originated from a source beyond our galaxy.

Exercises · type, then check

1. Rewrite each sentence using distancing language. Write only the missing phrase.

1.People believe that the universe is expanding faster than predicted. → The universe expanding faster than predicted.

2.Reports say the rover found evidence of ancient rivers. → The rover found evidence of ancient rivers.

3.It seems likely that the asteroid will miss Earth. → , the asteroid will miss Earth.

4.Scientists think the planet may support life. → The planet support life.

5.People say the space agency lost contact with the probe. → The space agency lost contact with the probe.

2. Choose the best way to distance the speaker from the claim.

1. The comet ___ contain rare minerals.

2. ___, the launch has been delayed by two weeks.

3. The signal ___ originated from deep space.

4. ___ the mission will cost more than originally estimated.

5. The astronaut ___ experienced equipment failure during the spacewalk.

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Reading

Life Beyond Earth

The search for extraterrestrial life is thought to be one of humanity's greatest scientific endeavours. For decades, astronomers have scanned the cosmos for signals that might indicate intelligent civilisations. In recent years, several exoplanets have been identified in what is known as the habitable zone — the region around a star where conditions are believed to allow liquid water. One planet in particular, discovered orbiting a red dwarf star approximately forty light-years away, is reported to have an atmosphere containing water vapour. Scientists speculate that this could be a promising sign, though they caution that much remains unknown. Apparently, the planet's surface temperature may be too extreme for life as we understand it. It seems that our definition of 'habitable' may need to expand as we learn more about the resilience of microbial organisms on Earth itself — creatures that thrive in boiling springs, frozen lakes, and even the vacuum of space. Whether or not we find life beyond Earth, the search is believed to have already transformed our understanding of biology, chemistry, and what it means to exist.

1. What is significant about the planet discovered forty light-years away?

2. Why might our definition of 'habitable' need to change?

Speaking · say it out loud, with a partner or alone

1Debate: 'Governments should invest more in space exploration than in solving problems on Earth.' Use distancing language to present both sides fairly before stating your own position.

2Discuss: Do you believe there is life beyond Earth? Present your view using distancing structures to show what is established fact and what is speculation.

Writing

Write a news report (8–10 sentences) about a fictional space discovery. Use at least four distancing structures (e.g., 'is believed to', 'apparently', 'it seems that', 'is reported to have').

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