Reading Explorer 1 Unit 2 Lesson B
Reading Explorer 1 Unit 2 Lesson B
[A] Being able to fly like a bird has been a dream of humans since ancient times. Modern times allow us to
fly in machines like airplanes, helicopters, and hot air balloons. However, we have continued to dream of
flying through the air without the help of machines, powered only by the wind. Thus, we have slowly been
taking steps toward realizing this familiar dream.
[B] Da Vinci created the first known idea for a parachute1 over five centuries ago. In 1797, Andre-Jacques
Garnerin used a hot air balloon to make the first parachute jump above Paris. In 1912, Franz Reichelt
designed a special suit - half parachute and half like a wing. He jumped from the Eiffel Tower, but this show
of bravery cost him his life because the suit failed to work. Between the 1930s to 1960, 72 out of 75 men died
when they tried to fly using special "wingsuits." Luckily, since then, things have changed a lot. In the 1980s
and 90s, skydiving2 became safe, and paragliding - using a specially designed parachute to glide - became
popular.
[C] Recent advances in materials and technology have allowed us to fly in modern wingsuits, which is
perhaps the closest we have come to flying like a bird. They are made of strong but flexible material which
goes between the legs and under the arms. When flyers spread their arms and legs, they become like one big
wing. Flyers then make small body movements to control direction and use a parachute at the end of the flight
to land safely.
[D] Since we first dreamed of joining the birds in the sky, we have come a long way. Although we may never
be able to truly fly on our own, one thing is for sure - people from every nation will continue to look up at the
birds and dream of flying just like them.
1 A parachute is a piece of equipment attached to someone's back so they can jump from a great height and
land safely when it opens.
2 Skydiving is a sport done by jumping from a plane and using a parachute to land.
[A] Being able to fly like a bird has been a dream of humans since ancient times. Modern times allow us to
fly in machines like airplanes, helicopters, and hot air balloons. However, we have continued to dream of
flying through the air without the help of machines, powered only by the wind. Thus, we have slowly been
taking steps toward realizing this familiar dream.
[B] Da Vinci created the first known idea for a parachute1 over five centuries ago. In 1797, Andre-Jacques
Garnerin used a hot air balloon to make the first parachute jump above Paris. In 1912, Franz Reichelt
designed a special suit - half parachute and half like a wing. He jumped from the Eiffel Tower, but this show
of bravery cost him his life because the suit failed to work. Between the 1930s to 1960, 72 out of 75 men died
when they tried to fly using special "wingsuits." Luckily, since then, things have changed a lot. In the 1980s
and 90s, skydiving2 became safe, and paragliding - using a specially designed parachute to glide - became
popular.
[C] Recent advances in materials and technology have allowed us to fly in modern wingsuits, which is
perhaps the closest we have come to flying like a bird. They are made of strong but flexible material which
goes between the legs and under the arms. When flyers spread their arms and legs, they become like one big
wing. Flyers then make small body movements to control direction and use a parachute at the end of the flight
to land safely.
[D] Since we first dreamed of joining the birds in the sky, we have come a long way. Although we may never
be able to truly fly on our own, one thing is for sure - people from every nation will continue to look up at the
birds and dream of flying just like them.
1 A parachute is a piece of equipment attached to someone's back so they can jump from a great height and
land safely when it opens.
2 Skydiving is a sport done by jumping from a plane and using a parachute to land.
____ 11. The first idea for a parachute was created over _________.
a. 300 years ago
b. 400 years ago
c. 500 years ago
____ 12. Who fell to his death?
a. Da Vinci
b. Franz Reichelt
c. Andre-Jacques Garnerin
____ 13. How many men survived between the 1930s to 1960 when they tried to fly in wingsuits?
a. 3
b. 72
c. 75
____ 14. What became safe in the 1980s and 90s?
a. wingsuit flying
b. skydiving
c. parachuting
____ 15. How do modern wingsuit flyers control direction?
a. by slowly moving their wings
b. by spreading their arms and legs
c. by making small body movements
Completion
Complete each statement.
18. Did you see the player ____________________ (tie / hit) the ball?
19. If you are ____________________ (familiar / almost) with a city, you know it well.
21. To remember something, ____________________ (escape / tie) a string around your finger.
22. We were _____________________ (almost / familiar) late, but we arrived just on time.
Matching