Download this free B1–B2 English worksheet PDF for English learners and teachers. This lesson explores NASA’s 378-day Mars isolation experiment, life in a confined habitat and the challenges of preparing people for future missions to Mars.
The article describes how four volunteers spent more than a year inside a 3D-printed habitat at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The simulated mission began in October 2025, and the volunteers finally stepped outside on 31 October 2026 after 378 days.
Students read about why NASA created the experiment. The aim was to find out how people cope with living and working in a confined space, far from normal contact with family and friends.
The crew had to make do with limited supplies, look after the habitat, grow some of their food and take turns practising simulated spacewalks. When problems appeared, they had to work through them together rather than expecting immediate help.
The experiment also included deliberately delayed messages to mission control and a planned period of around two weeks without normal contact. This forced the volunteers to rely on their own judgement and maintain a regular routine.
The article also explains the limits of the simulation. The crew remained on Earth, emergency help was nearby and Earth’s gravity did not change. Even so, NASA hopes the study will help researchers understand how people handle isolation, teamwork and restricted resources during future space missions.
Level: B1–B2
Date: 3 November 2026
Focus: Reading comprehension, phrases, vocabulary and discussion about isolation, teamwork and Mars exploration
This free worksheet includes:
- A three-paragraph article about NASA’s 378-day Mars isolation experiment
- Eight True/False reading-comprehension questions
- A Phrase Match activity with 10 useful expressions
- A Synonym Match exercise with 10 vocabulary items
- A Use the New Language activity in which students write their own sentences
- 16 discussion questions divided between Student A and Student B
- Speaking topics including isolation, privacy, teamwork, leadership, limited supplies and Mars exploration
- A complete answer key
- Example sentences showing how the target phrases can be used naturally
Useful phrases from the worksheet include step out of, take part in, move into, find out, carry out, make do with, look after, take turns, work through and rely on. Students also practise vocabulary such as volunteers, confined, supplies, complicated, demanding, teamwork, ordinary, available, research and deliberately.
A useful classroom focus is the balance between technical skill and teamwork. The worksheet encourages students to consider whether they could cope with a year of isolation, limited privacy and delayed contact with the outside world.
More free English resources from Britfluency:
A2–B2 English Worksheets
B2–C2 English Worksheets
IELTS Practice Materials
Free English Grammar Worksheets PDF
English Listening Exercises
