Alien Abductions

On Halloween in 1938, actor and filmmaker Orson Wells terrified America with his radio broadcast, War of the Worlds. Wells’ story confused listeners who thought that his reports of aliens landing in New Jersey were real. Although it may sound silly today, Americans panicked as they thought Martians were invading. We may be a bit more sophisticated now, but thoughts of extraterrestrial landings still occupy the imaginations of peoples the world over. The Unexplained explores some accounts of people who claim that they have been abducted by aliens, and lived to tell the story. Alien Abductions would be useful for classes on Science, Technology and American culture. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• alleged
• anomalous
• catatonic
• concocted
• depict
• empirical
• fibulae
• hoaxes
• hypnosis
• immerse
• intimations
• manipulate
• notoriety
• obstinate
• peripheral
• substantiate

1. Travis Walton and his friends claim that aliens abducted him. Why do Travis and his friends think he was abducted?

2. Although there are many people who claim to have been abducted by aliens, scientists remain skeptical. Why are scientists so skeptical of these abductions?

3. What prompted Elliott and Debra Novak to believe that aliens had abducted them?

4. Some people remember the details of their abductions under hypnosis, or so they claim. Why are scientists skeptical of hypnosis?

5. Why did it take 16 years for Dan Ahrens to think he had been abducted?

6. If the stories about alien abductions are true, what might the aliens want from their captives?

7. If aliens do exist, do you think they are like us? Do they look like us? Think like us? Have emotions like us?

8. Do you believe in alien abductions? If so why. If not, why not?

1. Imagine that aliens abducted you. Write a story for your local newspaper about your abduction.

2. Draw what you think an alien might look like.

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