15 seconds. Read only for the main ideas

Skimming exercise

Skim through the following reading selection in only 15 seconds. Read only for the main ideas.

ASTRONOMERS ARE CERTAIN THAT THE MOON CANNOT SUSTAIN LIFE AS WE KNOW IT ON EARTH.

IN THE FIRST PLACE, THE MOON IS AIRLESS. More accurately, it may have a very thin atmosphere – between 1/10,000 and 1/1,000,000 as dense as that on earth – but this amount would be little better than none at all. It is not enough to breath or to carry sound.

SECONDLY, THE MOON LACKS WATER. If the moon ever had water, it has long since disappeared and now there are no lakes, no rivers, and (despite names such as the Sea of Tranquility) no oceans. Without any atmosphere, water would turn to vapor. Because the moon’s gravity is much too weak to hold vapor on its surface, it would float away into space.

THIRDLY, WITHOUT AIR OR WATER, THE MOON HAS NO WEATHER. Clouds, rain or snow never appear in the sky or moisten its surface. The moon is a dry, dead, weather less world.

FINNALLY, TEMPERATURES ON THE MOON ARE EXTREMES OF HOT AND COLD. Days there are 28 earth days long; therefore, periods of daylight and darkness last two weeks each. For 14 days one side of the moon bakes in the sun while the other side freezes in darkness.

BECAUSE THE MOON IS AN AIRLESS SATELLITE WITH HARSH EXTREMES OF TEMPERATURE, NO KIND OF LIFE AS WE KNOW IT ON EARTH COULD POSSIBLY EXIST THERE.
Now answer the following question: What are four reasons why astronomers do not believe life exists on the moon?

1. 
   The moon is airless
   
2. 
   There is not any water in the moon
   
3. 
   The moon has no weather because of the lack of air and water
   
4. 
   The moon's temperature is extremely hot and cold