Page 33 - Reading Success B5

Many people have wondered about the existence of life outside the Earth.
There are so many questions and guesses. This topic is so popular that it’s no

longer exclusive to science. The possibility of life in outer space has inspired
many topics even in literature and cinema.
Some people speculate on the existence of life in outer space because of the
fact that the universe is very big. The Solar System itself has seven other planets

aside from the Earth. It is almost unthinkable that there is life only on Earth.
Life outside the planet Earth is called extraterrestrial life. Up until now, it

remains purely hypothetical or theoretical. Scientists are now looking for signs of
life in outer space.
Scientific research and observation also show that there are planets and
galaxies out there that are fairly similar to ours. This makes the possibility of life in

outer space even stronger. One of the things they look for in other planets is the
presence of water. That is because water is a very basic need for life to exist. In
their search, scientists have found water on the planets Mercury and Mars. There

is also speculation that water exists on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. Europa is
covered by a thick layer of ice.
Despite years of extensive studies, there is still no convincing evidence that

confirms the existence of extraterrestrial life. However, this does not stop
scientists from looking for proof of life in outer space. This does not also stop the
common man from believing in the possibility of life outside the Earth.

There are the people who continue to doubt. Some people say that even if
there was life in outer space, we will never find out because it is impossible to
travel outside our Solar System, to other galaxies. Other people say that if there
really is life in outer space, and interstellar travel is possible, extraterrestrial life

should have visited the Earth by now. None has visited the Earth, and so these
people say there is no life in outer space. Those who think positively say that
many things were believed to be impossible in the past. However, through new

discoveries and technological breakthroughs, these things are now possible, like
flying and nuclear power. This could also be true of the possibility of
extraterrestrial life and traveling faster than light.

Main Idea

What is the main idea of this story?

a. other planets where water has been found

b. the possibility of life on other planets
c. why they cannot be life on other planets

d. some legends about life on other planets

36_Reading Success B 5