Text structure: history 4

A Very Important Job

1. For a few weeks in 1957 Soviet Union scientists searched Moscow streets looking for the perfect candidates for a very special job. They combed back alleys. They checked behind dumpsters. They watched inhabitants in action until they found exactly what they were looking for—five or six small, tough, stray female dogs.
2. The scientists collected the dogs and brought them back to their lab. One of these dogs would make history, but they weren’t sure which one yet. They needed to answer some questions first.
3. Which dog did best in small spaces? Which dog was most calm around loud noises? Which dog would eat food made into gel? And for promotional purposes, which dog looked best in photos?
4. The scientists didn’t have much time. The Soviet Union and the United States were involved in a “space race” to see who could get a man into space first. Every minute counted. The scientists went straight to work. Although they had previously trained dogs for short test flights, this project was much bigger. If the Soviets were successful, they would prove that living creatures could orbit Earth. Then they could do what they really wanted—send a man into orbit before the Americans did.
5. After some testing, the scientists narrowed the candidates down to three. In the end, they chose Laika, a three-year-old husky-terrier mix with a very calm nature—and a cute look that the public loved.
6. On November 3, 1957, the cute little dog plucked from the streets made history aboard Sputnik II. Laika became the first living creature to successfully orbit Earth. In doing so, she paved the way for future human space travel.