Vol - II - IT@School

Notes
EXTENDED READING
• Make predictions about how the
cassette player might affect the
action of the play.
• If India sent a spaceship to Venus
what title would you give for the
newspaper report you prepare?
Suggest a few titles and write them
below.
1st Astronaut: Left rocket
2nd Astronaut: Check.
1st Astronaut: Backup cabin oxygen
2nd Astronaut: Check.
1st Astronaut: Backup tape deck.
2nd Astronaut: Check. (Looks up suddenly) Hey,
what
do you mean, backup tape
deck?
We don’t have a tape deck on the
checklist.
1st Astronaut: Oh, I meant to tell you about that.
(Holds up cassette player) I put one in.
I taped some music from the radio
for us to listen to in our spare time.
2nd Astronaut: You shouldn’t have done that. You
know the rules. (In a sing-song)
No personal paraphernalia on
board.
1st Astronaut: I know. But I get bored on these
long trips.
Ground Control: Last check-list is completed.
Holding for countdown. (Pauses)
Beginning last countdown.
Thirty, twenty-nine twenty-eight
(Pantomimes counting)
1st Astronaut: I just know we won’t make it to
Venus.
Ground Control: Twenty-five, twenty—four,
twenty—three….
2nd Astronaut: Stop that kind of talk, will you?
We’ll make it-and we’ll be heroes.
1st Astronaut: I feel as if something will keep us
from ever setting down on Venus.
2nd Astronaut: Don’t be silly. I can see the
headlines when we get back.
(Raises hands as if reading newspaper)
‘First Manned Flight to Venus
Successful.’
Ground Control: Eighteen, seventeen, sixteen,
126 English Coursebook VIII