APIEClass activity: Planet Fact Swap (Speaking & Comparing)
Space and the planets
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Planet Fact Swap — Pair Speaking & Comparing Activity
1. Rules of the Game
For Teachers (Setup & Steps)
- 1 Put students in pairs: Student A and Student B.
- 2 Give Sheet A to Student A and Sheet B to Student B. Tell them: "Do not show your paper to your partner!"
- 3 One student in each pair writes down the scores.
- 4 Walk around, listen to questions, and check scoring.
- 5 Check the completed tables with the Teacher Key at the end.
For Students (Goal & Rounds)
- 1 Your goal is to collect facts about two mystery planets from your partner.
- 2 Ask the four questions at the bottom of your sheet to find the missing facts.
- 3 Write your partner's answers in the dashed boxes and fill in your table.
- 4 Make up to 3 comparison sentences using the target grammar to earn points.
- 5 Your partner checks your sentences and gives you points!
2. Timed Plan (Total: 20 Minutes)
Step 1: Setup
Hand out the cards and explain the rules.
Step 2: Round 1
Student A asks questions; Student B answers.
Step 3: Round 2
Student B asks questions; Student A answers.
Step 4: Scoring
Compare planets and score sentences in pairs.
Step 5: Review
Check answers and ask closing questions as a whole class.
Sheet A — Explorer One
Known Planet Records (Do not show to partner):
Planet Zed
Zed: 12,000 km across; 40 degrees; 2 moons; a day of 24 hours.
Planet Pim
Pim: 6,000 km across; minus 50 degrees; 2 moons; a day of 10 hours.
Missing Records (Ask Partner B):
💬 Questions to Ask Partner B:
- 1. "How big is [Planet]?"
- 2. "How hot or cold is [Planet]?"
- 3. "How many moons has [Planet] got?"
- 4. "How long is a day on [Planet]?"
Sheet B — Explorer Two
Known Planet Records (Do not show to partner):
Planet Lox
Lox: 12,000 km across; 200 degrees; no moons; a day of 24 hours.
Planet Mur
Mur: 3,000 km across; minus 50 degrees; 5 moons; a day of 60 hours.
Missing Records (Ask Partner A):
💬 Questions to Ask Partner A:
- 1. "How big is [Planet]?"
- 2. "How hot or cold is [Planet]?"
- 3. "How many moons has [Planet] got?"
- 4. "How long is a day on [Planet]?"
4. Answer Table — Student Log
Ask your partner the 4 questions, listen carefully, and type the facts into your log table.
| Planet Name | 📏 Size (km across) | 🌡️ Temperature (°C) | 🌙 Number of Moons | ⏱️ Day Length (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🪐 Zed | ____ (Type size...) | ____ (Type temperature...) | ____ (Type number...) | ____ (Type hours...) |
| 🌕 Pim | ____ (Type size...) | ____ (Type temperature...) | ____ (Type number...) | ____ (Type hours...) |
| 🔴 Lox | ____ (Type size...) | ____ (Type temperature...) | ____ (Type number...) | ____ (Type hours...) |
| 🟣 Mur | ____ (Type size...) | ____ (Type temperature...) | ____ (Type number...) | ____ (Type hours...) |
5. Scoring Guide & Speaking Round
⭐ Sentence Points (Max 3 Points)
- • 1 point for each true sentence spoken to your partner using: as ... as, not as ... as, the same as, or different from.
- • Maximum 3 comparative sentences per student (up to 3 points).
- • Sentences must be factual based on the table data!
🏆 Bonus Point & Roles
- • 1 bonus point for each pair if both tables are completely filled and 100% correct.
- • Designated role: One student in each pair writes down the points.
- • Check and congratulate your partner!
6. Sentence Starters
Choose from these 6 sentence templates to compare planets with your partner:
[Planet] is as big as [Planet].
The temperature on [Planet] is not as cold as...
[Planet] and [Planet] have the same number of moons.
The length of a day on [Planet] is different from...
[Planet] is as cold as [Planet].
[Planet] is not the same size as [Planet].
7. Teacher Key (Reference & Correction)
📊 Complete Planet Data Master Table
| Planet | 📏 Size (km across) | 🌡️ Temperature | 🌙 Moons | ⏱️ Day Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🪐 Zed | 12,000 km across | 40 degrees | 2 moons | 24 hours |
| 🌕 Pim | 6,000 km across | minus 50 degrees | 2 moons | 10 hours |
| 🔴 Lox | 12,000 km across | 200 degrees | no moons (0) | 24 hours |
| 🟣 Mur | 3,000 km across | minus 50 degrees | 5 moons | 60 hours |
✅ 5 Model Sentences (Standard Answers)
- 1. "Zed is as big as Lox."
- 2. "Pim is not as big as Zed."
- 3. "Zed and Pim have the same number of moons."
- 4. "Pim and Mur are as cold as each other."
- 5. "Lox is different from Zed."
⚠️ Mistakes to Listen For (Intervene & Correct)
Students often confuse 'than' (comparative) with 'as...as' (equality).
Remind students that standard A2 English uses the preposition 'from' with different.
Preposition 'as' must always follow 'the same'.
8. Variations (3 Levels + Fast Groups)
Extra Help
Let students use a word list or write sentences on paper before speaking.
Speaking Only
Speaking only: no looking at your partner's paper. Both partners must speak in full sentences.
Longer Sentences
Ask students to use two facts in one sentence (for example, comparing temperature and day length).
More Practice
Make 3 more sentences about Zed, Pim, Lox and Mur with as ... as or different from. Tell your partner.
9. Closing Discussion Questions
Discuss these 3 questions with the whole class.
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