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Should We Live on Mars?

LLaura
Upper Elementary
Opinion / Argumentative
EN
2 min read
Image for Should We Live on Mars?

Should We Live on Mars?

Imagine living on Mars! It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but some people think it's a great idea. Others aren't so sure. Should we really try to live on the Red Planet?

Why Mars is Awesome

One big reason to go to Mars is for discovery. Scientists believe Mars might hold secrets about the beginning of our solar system. It's also possible that Mars once had life, or maybe even still does! Exploring Mars could help us answer some big questions about the universe.

Another reason is to have a backup plan for humanity. Earth faces many challenges, like climate change and overpopulation. If something terrible happened to Earth, having a colony on Mars could save us from extinction. It's like having a second home, just in case!

The Challenges of Mars

However, living on Mars wouldn't be easy. The biggest problem is the environment. Mars is very cold, with an average temperature of about -80 degrees Fahrenheit! The air is thin and doesn't have much oxygen, so we couldn't breathe without special suits and habitats. There's also lots of radiation from the sun because Mars doesn't have a strong magnetic field like Earth does. Radiation can be dangerous to our health.

Getting to Mars is also a huge challenge. The journey would take many months, and it would be very expensive. We would need to figure out how to bring enough food, water, and supplies for the trip and for living on Mars. Then, we'd have to build shelters and find ways to grow food on a planet with very different soil than Earth.

What Do You Think?

So, is living on Mars a good idea? There are definitely some exciting reasons to go, like scientific discovery and ensuring the survival of humanity. But there are also some serious challenges, like the harsh environment and the difficulty of getting there. It's a big decision that will require a lot of planning and effort. What do you think? Should we pack our bags for Mars?

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Glossary
Extinction:
When all members of a species die out.
Colony:
A group of people living in a new place, often far from their home country.
Radiation:
Energy that comes from a source and travels through space.
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Part of a collectionExplore the Solar System: Planets for Kids!Explore the whole collection · 17 readings

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About this opinion / argumentative passage for Upper Elementary

“Should We Live on Mars?” is a opinion / argumentative reading passage about Space Colonization, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (344 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. You can read “Should We Live on Mars?” online for free and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “Should We Live on Mars?”?

It’s written for Upper Elementary — a opinion / argumentative text about Space Colonization, about a 2-minute read (344 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. With a free account you can remix it to a different grade level or translate it to another language in one click.