Astronaut Teamwork Test

B2/C1 video lesson on intelligent teamwork, leadership, communication and problem-solving under pressure.

Lesson Overview

Students watch a video about astronaut candidates completing a teamwork test underwater. The task seems simple — building a cube from seven pieces — but limited time, breath control, non-verbal communication and unclear roles make it extremely difficult.

Before you watch

What makes a team work well under pressure?
Is leadership more important than individual intelligence?
What problems might occur if a team cannot communicate clearly?

Video

Open video on YouTube

Prep for Part 1

Drag the correct sentence ending into each gap.

1. If someone has raw ability,...

2. If candidates apply their intelligence,...

3. If a team distributes roles,...

4. If a test is space-like,...

Sentence endings

they use their thinking skills to solve a problem. it recreates some conditions similar to working in space. different people take responsibility for different tasks. they have natural skill or intelligence.

Watch Part 1

Watch from 0:01 to about 1:43. Focus on the task, the rules, communication, role distribution and why the pool makes the challenge difficult.

Watch Part 1 on YouTube

Comprehension 1

Click each question to reveal the answer.

What does Chris say astronauts need besides raw ability?

They need a proven ability to apply their intelligence to solve problems, not just alone but as a team.

What do the candidates have to build?

They have to put seven pieces together into a cube.

How much time do they have?

They have ten minutes in total.

What should a good team do according to Chris?

A good team should communicate well and distribute roles.

Why does putting the task at the bottom of a swimming pool make it harder?

It creates a more space-like environment, limits breathing time and makes communication non-verbal.

Vocabulary from Part 1

Astronauts need more than raw .

The candidates must apply their to solve problems.

A good team will distribute .

Underwater, they have to communicate non-.

Options

ability intelligence roles verbally cube

Prep for Part 2

Drag the correct sentence ending into each gap.

1. If a team is in disarray,...

2. If someone takes on a task alone,...

3. If communication is effective,...

4. If someone doubts themselves,...

Sentence endings

messages are clear and people understand what to do. it is confused, badly organised or not working together. they are no longer confident that their judgement is right. they decide to do it without enough help from the team.

Watch Part 2

Watch from about 1:43 to the end. Focus on Tessa’s role, the team struggling, Merritt trying alone and the final reflection.

Watch Part 2 on YouTube

Comprehension 2

Click each question to reveal the answer.

What role does Tessa take during the test?

She stays on the surface and tries to direct the others.

What ability does the test assess?

It assesses 3D visualisation: the ability to move shapes around in your head.

What happens when the team is in disarray?

Merritt tries to take on the cube alone.

How does Chris describe the team’s performance?

He says it is not a great performance and that they are nowhere close.

What does Tessa say after the test?

She says communication was not as effective as it could have been, and she should have communicated better and got them to listen.

Vocabulary from Part 2

The team is struggling with 3D .

When the team is in , Merritt works alone.

Chris says Merritt’s action is not very .

Tessa says communication was not .

Options

visualisation disarray directed effective physiology

Vocabulary Review

Word / phrase	Meaning	Example
raw ability	natural skill or intelligence	Astronauts need more than raw ability.
proven ability	skill that has already been demonstrated	The test looks for proven ability under pressure.
apply intelligence	use thinking skills practically	Candidates must apply intelligence to solve problems.
intelligent teamwork	teamwork that uses clear thinking and coordination	The test measures intelligent teamwork.
distribute roles	give different responsibilities to different people	A good team distributes roles clearly.
space-like environment	conditions similar to working in space	The pool creates a more space-like environment.
physiology	how the body works	They are up against their own physiology.
non-verbally	without spoken words	They must communicate non-verbally underwater.
3D visualisation	imagining shapes and movement in three dimensions	The cube task tests 3D visualisation.
in disarray	confused or badly organised	The team was in disarray.
take on something alone	try to do something without support	Merritt tried to take on the cube alone.
effective communication	communication that works clearly and successfully	Tessa felt communication was not effective.

Collocations and Expressions

raw

proven

intelligent

distribute

hold your

limited

effective

Options

ability teamwork roles breath time communication

Phrasal Verb Exercise

Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verbs and expressions.

The pieces fit into a cube.

One candidate stays on the surface to direct the team .

Suzy goes over to catch .

Merritt tries to take the cube alone.

Tessa feels she should have got them to listen .

Options

together from above her breath on to her off

Phrasal Verb Exercise 2: Form Questions

Use the same expressions to complete the questions. Then discuss your answers.

1. How can a team fit different skills effectively?

2. Is it useful for one person to direct a team ?

3. What should someone do if they need to catch during a stressful task?

4. When is it a mistake to take a problem alone?

5. How can a leader get people to listen without becoming too forceful?

Options

together from above their breath on to them

Speaking extension: Choose three questions and discuss them with a partner.

B2/C1 Grammar: Past Modals for Reflection

This grammar section practises language for reflecting on poor teamwork and saying what should, could or might have happened differently.

Function	Pattern	Example
Criticising past action	should have + past participle	They should have talked more before starting.
Missed possibility	could have + past participle	They could have distributed roles more clearly.
Uncertain past possibility	might have + past participle	They might have done better with clearer signals.
Negative reflection	shouldn’t have + past participle	Merritt shouldn’t have tried to solve it alone.

Grammar Exercise 1: Drag the correct phrase

The team a strategy before starting.

They clearer roles.

Merritt on the cube alone.

Tessa more confident about her judgement.

The team clearer hand signals.

Options

should have discussed could have assigned shouldn't have taken might have been could have used should to talk

Grammar Exercise 2: Error Correction

Click each sentence to reveal the correction.

They should talked more before the test.

They should have talked more before the test.

Merritt shouldn’t took on the cube alone.

Merritt shouldn’t have taken on the cube alone.

The team could assigned roles more clearly.

The team could have assigned roles more clearly.

Tessa might been more confident.

Tessa might have been more confident.

Grammar Exercise 3: Sentence Transformations

Use “should have”.
The team did not talk enough before the test.

Use “could have”.
They did not use clear hand signals.

Use “shouldn’t have”.
Merritt tried to solve the cube alone.

Useful Patterns

Purpose	Useful language
Reflecting on mistakes	We should have... / We shouldn’t have...
Suggesting alternatives	We could have... / Another option would have been to...
Uncertain judgement	It might have helped if... / We might have done better if...
Team feedback	Communication wasn’t as effective as it could have been.

Discussion

What was the biggest problem in the team’s performance?
Should one person have led from the surface, or should everyone have shared leadership?
Is it ever a good idea to take on a team problem alone?
What makes communication difficult under pressure?
How can teams prepare for situations where they cannot speak?
What should the team have done differently?

Useful Language for Discussion

Giving an opinion	Reflecting on mistakes	Suggesting improvements
I’d argue that... From my perspective... What stands out to me is...	They should have... They could have... It might have helped if...	Next time, the team should... A better approach would be... They need clearer...

Role Play: Team Debrief

Situation: The candidates have just finished a failed teamwork test. They must discuss what went wrong and agree how to improve before the next challenge.

Student A: Team leader

Explain what the team should have done differently. Focus on communication, roles and listening.

Student B: Team member

Explain the pressure you felt. Defend some decisions, but accept one thing you could have done better.

Challenge

Use at least three past modal phrases from the grammar section.

Team leader language	Team member language
We should have agreed on... We could have used... Communication wasn’t as effective as...	I might have focused too much on... I shouldn’t have... Next time, I would...