Human beings conquered the distance on earth by discovering wheels. They endeavored further.

Human beings conquered the distance on earth by discovering wheels. They endeavored further. Then on December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers in America made the first experiment of flying in a plane. In the experiment, a machine carried a man and rose above by its own power. The machine was called ‘aka airplane’. It flew naturally in a smooth speed, and finally landed without damage. That was human being’s first real take-off. And now, they have got a supersonic speed. In a supersonic speed, something travels faster than sound! So the sky’s the limit now!

Modern aircraft companies are making revolutions in aviation technology. Boeing as well as Airbus is producing modern passenger airplanes. These planes fly very fast. Boeing 787 flies 950 km/h. However, Airbus 350 is expected to fly in a couple of years. Its speed will be 945 km/h. You find attractive ads on the websites of both Boeing and Airbus planes. Both have excellent features. But in speed, neither could beat the Concorde. It is the world’s fastest supersonic passenger aircraft. Its normal speed was 2,170 km/h. The Concorde was a joint project by France and Britain. It started passenger flight in 1976. Unfortunately, the Concorde fleet was grounded for ever in 2003 after a major accident.

1. Choose the correct answer to each question from the alternatives given and write the corresponding number of the answers in your answer script.                                                                                                                                               1×7=7

a.       The word supersonic speed in line 5 of the text means-

(i) as fast as sound                  (ii) faster than sound           (iii) less fast than sound      (iv) not related with sound

b.       The word distance in line 1 of the text means-.

(i) remoteness                           (ii) shortness                          (iii) smallness                        (iv) greatness

c.        The word naturally in line 4 of the text means-.

(i) artificially                             (ii) whimsically                     (iii) automatically                (iv) particularly

d.       By discovering wheels, human beings-.

(i) achieved freedom               (ii) became chained             (iii) took control of distance     (iv) got prizes

e.        Wright brothers in America made the first experiment of flying in a plane in-.

(i) 18^th century                          (ii) 19^th century                     (iii) 20^th century                    (iv) 21^st century

f.        Aka airplane was a/an-.

(i) wheel                                     (ii) giant                                 (iii) machine                          (iv) old engine

g.        No other aircraft is --- a supersonic aircraft.

(i) fast                                        (ii) faster                                (iii) the fastest                       (iv) as fast as                              

2. Answer the following questions.                                                                                                                          2×4=8

a)       What did the Wright brothers do?

b)       Why was Concorde fleet finally grounded?

c)       What is Airbus 350?

d)       Can a supersonic airplane fly faster than sound? If yes, how? If no, what else?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

3. Read the following text and fill in the gaps with appropriate words to make it a meaningful one.         1×5=5   

A life vest is located in a pouch under your seat or between the armrests. When (a) ………… to so, open the plastic pouch and (b) …………… the vest. Slip it over your head. Pass the straps around your waist and (c) ………… at the from. To (d) ………… the vest, pull firmly on the red (e) …………, before you leave the aircraft. We remind you that this is a non-smoking flight.