Rebecca Byrne. Now, you can't failed to have noticed that this month (July)
marks the 40th anniversary of the first ever moon landing back in 1969.
Rebecca: Hi Kate, yes, it was indeed 40 years ago in July 1969 that Neil Armstrong
became the first man to walk on the Moon. The event which is often called the
'lunar landing' has been described as 'the greatest event in all the history of the
human race'. It certainly was incredible, especially when you think about how
limited technology was then compared to now. I mean, most people watched it
on black and white televisions!
Kate: Yes, I know. And it's still feels like a huge an achievement even 40 years on.
But before we go any further, here's my question for today:
How many people in total have walked on the moon?
a) 12
b) 8
c) 6
Rebecca: answers
Kate: We'll check your answer at the end of the programme. But now we're going to
hear some memories of that historic day in July 1969. It was one of those
significant times in history when everyone remembers where they were and
what they were doing. We're going to hear from some people to see what they
remember…
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2009
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In the first extract we'll hear somebody using the expression pivotal point.
What does this mean?
Rebecca: Well, pivotal means very important, or at the centre of some very important
events.
Kate: Let's listen to the extract. Can you tell me what the speaker's memories are of
the moon landing?
Clip 1
I was out walking after dark with my mother. And she pointed up and she said 'There
are men on the moon'. To her it was a pivotal point in human history.
Rebecca: Well the speaker was out walking with his mother who pointed up to the
moon and told him 'There are men on the moon'! I can see why that might
seem quite improbable to a small boy but the image has obviously stuck in
his mind. But he remembers that his mother thought it was a 'pivotal point in
human history' which means an extremely important event in the history of
man.
Kate: Indeed it was. The next speaker says she liked 'science fiction' – can you
explain what this means?
Rebecca: Science fiction describes certain books or films about an imagined future,
especially one which involves space travel and other planets etc.
Kate: And astronaut?
Rebecca: An astronaut is someone who is specially trained to travel in space and fly
a spacecraft. Neil Armstrong was an astronaut.
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2009
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Kate: And finally to 'witness' something means what exactly?
Rebecca: To witness something means to see it happening. The verb is often used
when talking about a crime, accident or important event.
Kate: OK – let's listen to the next extract. What is her memory of the night of the
moon landings?
Clip 2
I really enjoyed reading science fiction, in fact I had a notion that I myself might become an
astronaut one day. I really wanted to witness the moon landing, the actual moment when man
stepped on the moon. My father said he's wake me up for this. He stayed up to watch the
moon landing and somehow he forgot to wake me.
Rebecca: Oh no! What a terrible story. This speaker said she always liked science
fiction so she was obviously very interested in space travel and in the moon
landings. She said she even wanted to be an astronaut one day! I should
point out here that the live pictures were being watched in the middle of the
night in the UK. Her father forgot to wake her up so she could watch it – it
happened in the middle of the night. She missed the whole thing! Poor girl. I
don’t think she ever became an astronaut either – all her father's fault.
Kate: But most people (if they were awake) were able to watch it the moon
landings on on TV which must have been an amazing experience. In fact so
many people in the UK did get out of bed to watch it that the electricity had
to provide extra power in order to cope with the extra demand. The pictures
of the first moon walk was viewed in 49 countries all together. Quite
something.
Rebecca: I'm not surprised. If I'd been about I wouldn't have missed it for anything.
Kate: No, me neither. Would you go to the moon if you were given the chance?
6 Minute English © bbclearningenglish.com 2009
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Rebecca: answers
Kate: It is strange though because we've just been living with the knowledge that
this happened but when you stop to think about what a huge achievement it
was, especially for its time, it really takes your breath away.
Rebecca: answers
Kate: OK – so to the question I asked you earlier. Since that historic day in July
1969, how many people have walked on the moon?
Rebecca: The correct answer is 12 and the last time someone was up there was in
1972. Time for another visit I think….
That's all we've got time for. Until next time. Goodbye!
