Speaking Task — uzdevums. Jaunās tēmas (izstrāde), E. Kaša.

In the speaking part of the exam, you will be asked to prepare a short talk on a given topic using the provided materials. You will have time to read the texts, select appropriate ideas, and plan how to structure your talk before speaking. To help you prepare for this part of the exam, study the speaking task below and complete the activities that follow. These tasks are designed to help you understand how to structure your talk, support your arguments with the material, and draw clear conclusions, so that you feel more confident when completing the speaking task in the real exam.

Prepare a 5-minute talk on the topic of “Space Exploration”
Read the materials below and select at least three points and opinions which you will use to support your argument. You can use other ideas as well, but you must discuss the ideas you selected from the material first. After your talk, you will answer three questions and justify your opinion.

In your talk:

introduce the topic and outline the structure of your talk;
present your arguments, supporting them with the information from the material provided;
draw conclusions on the topic.

You have 20 minutes to prepare your talk. You can make notes on the paper.

“Space Exploration”

Source 1: The crossing of space may do much to turn men's minds outwards and away from their present tribal squabbles. In this sense, the rocket, far from being one of the destroyers of civilization, may provide the safety-value that is needed to preserve it.
Arthur C. Clarke, in The Exploration of Space (1951)

Source 2: I don’t think the human race will survive the next thousand years, unless we spread into space. There are too many accidents that can befall life on a single planet. But I’m an optimist. We will reach out to the stars.
Stephen Hawking, 2001

Source 3: Even if there are benefits to space exploration, spending so much money and effort in reaching other planets is highly questionable. That money and brain power
could be used to solve other more important problems for us. For instance governments could invest much more to prevent global warming, reduce crime rates and find a cure for cancer or Alzheimer's Disease.
Space exploration pros and cons: Are space programs a waste of money? From netivist.org/debate

Source 4: In this new era of human spaceflight, NASA is contributing to economies locally and nationally, fuelling growth in industries that will define the future, and supporting tens of thousands of new jobs in America. With an investment of just one-half of 1% of the federal budget, NASA generates significant total economic output annually. This study confirms and puts numbers to what we have long understood – that taxpayer investment in America’s space program yields tremendous returns that strengthen our nation on several fronts – a stronger economy, advances in science and technology, and improvements to humanity.
Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator

Source 5: In 2024, global government expenditure for space programs hit a record of approximately 135 billion U.S. dollars. The United States Government spent around 79.7 billion U.S. dollars on its space programs in that year, making it the country with the highest space expenditure in the world. The U.S. was followed by China, with expenditure of over 19 billion U.S. dollars.
Statista Research Department, 2025

1. Which question best captures the central debate surrounding space exploration?

How can space exploration encourage cooperation between competing nations?
Do the potential benefits of space exploration justify its considerable costs?
Can space exploration provide reliable solutions to environmental challenges?
Should space exploration prioritise scientific discoveries over economic development?

2. How do Arthur C. Clarke's and Stephen Hawking's views complement each other?

Both argue space exploration should encourage international cooperation and economic development.
Both regard space exploration as a potential safeguard for humanity's future.
Both suggest space exploration will accelerate scientific progress and technological innovation.
Both believe space exploration will resolve conflicts between competing nations.

3. What do the government expenditure figures reveal about space exploration?

Government investment in space programmes has become equally distributed among major nations.
International space investment is increasing primarily because of private-sector technological developments.
Global space expenditure is substantial, with the United States contributing the largest share.
Government spending on space exploration exceeds investment in other major scientific fields.

4. What is the strongest argument against increasing space exploration funding?

Public resources could instead address urgent problems affecting people's lives on Earth.
International cooperation could weaken if countries competed for technological advantages in space.
Scientific research could become less effective if governments prioritised exploring distant planets.
Economic development could slow if governments reduced investment in established national industries.

5. Which conclusion best reflects the contrasting perspectives in the materials?

Space exploration should prioritise scientific advancement over immediate economic and social concerns.
Space exploration offers lasting benefits, but investment must reflect competing priorities.
Space exploration deserves increased funding because its benefits outweigh competing priorities.
Space exploration requires international cooperation to reduce costs and improve outcomes.

Atsauce:

https://www.viaa.gov.lv. Centralizētais eksāmens par vispārējās vidējās izglītības apguvi angļu valodā (augstākais mācību satura apguves līmenis), 2026

14. Speaking Task

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