Hot Air Ballooning Reading Passage
Hot Air Ballooning Reading Passage
Paragraph A
Two French brothers, Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier, are mainly credited with originating the hot air balloon. Using the notion that hot air is lighter than cold air, they could boost a little silk balloon 32 metres into the air. The brothers then sent a balloon 10,000 metres into the air, where it dismounted and then burst. Their work allured the concentration of the French Science Academy as the discovery of the qualities of hot air balloons benefited the analysis of weather patterns and the environment.
Paragraph B
Not until a significant number of years later was a balloon qualified to carry passengers launched. Initial flights were performed by animals, but following the success of these flights, two passengers, Jean Francois Pilatre and Francois Laurent d'Arlandes, flew for 29 minutes across Paris in a balloon. The men fueled the fire in the centre of their wicker basket to keep the balloon aloft, resulting in a successful journey across Paris.
Paragraph C
In 1785, the discovery of hydrogen-powered flights resulted in the death of Pilatre, a tragedy that contributed to a decrease in favour of hot-air ballooning and an upsurge in the popularity of hydrogen. In the 1950s, hot air ballooning saw somewhat of a renaissance as a leisure activity and sport but lost more popularity as other routes of air transport were constructed. Balloons of many sizes, shapes, and patterns exist today.
Paragraph D
In 1987, Richard Branson, a British entrepreneur, travelled across the Atlantic Ocean in a balloon dubbed the Virgin Atlantic Flyer. Four years later, he and Per Lindstrand of Sweden flew approximately 8,000 kilometres from Japan to Northern Canada in their balloon, the Virgin Pacific Flyer, which was nearly 10,000 cubic metres larger and the longest voyage in a hot air balloon in history. The Pacific Flyer was organised to fly in transoceanic jet streams and attained the maximum land speed for a manned balloon, 394 kilometres per hour.
Paragraph E
There are currently a number of designs and equipment available, including baskets with space for two to 35 or more passengers, segregated compartments, and specially developed flame-resistant textiles, but the balloon's fundamental components have remained basically unaltered. The propane fuel tanks are often included in wicker baskets. The burners are connected to suspension wires just above the basket and partially enveloped by the skirt. The balloon is comprised of gores, which extend from the skirt to the top of the balloon and are further divided into separate panels. This portion of the object is known as the envelope. A self-closing flap located at the top of the envelope lets hot air escape at a regulated rate to limit ascents or force the balloon to sink. This is the parachute valve, which is restrained by the vent line - the wire that travels the distance of the parachute and hangs above the basket, allowing the pilot to open and close the parachute valve.
Paragraph F
Piloting a balloon demands a great deal of expertise. Ballooning demands a great deal of expertise. The controls are quite simple. To hoist a balloon, the pilot releases propane by manipulating a control. By raising or reducing the flow of propane gas, the pilot may regulate the speed of the balloon but not its horizontal direction. As a result, balloons are frequently accompanied by ground personnel, who may need to retrieve the pilot, passengers, and balloon from a variety of landing spots. To fly a hot air balloon, a pilot must possess a commercial pilot's license and have at least 35 hours of flight instruction. There are no statutory safety regulations for passengers, but they should be aware of their flight crew and their credentials. For safety reasons, hot air balloons do not fly in the rain because the balloon's heat might cause the surface water to boil and ruin the fabric.
Paragraph G
The Balloon Federation of America is one of the major hot air balloon groups in the United States. Membership in the BFA, founded in 1961, appeals to anyone with an interest in ballooning (or "lighter than air" flying). With an active discussion forum, meetings, and exhibits around the United States and beyond, the BFA operates by a number of guiding principles, the most important of which is that the future of ballooning is closely tied to the safety of fans. They provide several training programs, ranging from classes for beginners seeking a basic license to pilot accomplishment programs. Even while the simulator does not immediately lead to a pilot's license, it can offer participants a sense of the sensations experienced by professional balloon pilots.
Hot Air Ballooning Reading Questions and Answers
Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Hot Air Ballooning
Questions and Answers 1-4
1) The brothers Montgolfier were the first individuals to soar in a hot air balloon.
2) Late in the eighteenth century, hot-air ballooning became less fashionable.
3) The volume of the largest hot air balloon exceeded 75,000 cubic metres.
4) Membership in the BFA is restricted to citizens of the United States.
Hot Air Ballooning Reading Answers with Explanations (1-4)
Type of question: Yes/No/Not Given(True/False/Not Given)
In this question type, you are required to determine whether the statements provided agree with, contradict, or are not mentioned in the reading passage.
How to best answer:
- Understand what information is being presented and what is being asked.
- Find relevant information in the reading passage that relates to the statement.
- Determine if the statement agrees with, contradicts, or is not mentioned in the passage.
- If the information is not explicitly provided in the passage, select 'Not Given' rather than making assumptions.
- Base your answers solely on the information presented in the passage, avoiding personal opinions or outside knowledge.
Reference
From paragraph B: “Initial flights were performed by animals, but following the success of these flights, two passengers, Jean Francois Pilatre and Francois Laurent d'Arlandes, flew for 29 minutes across Paris in a balloon.”
Explanation: The Montgolfier brothers were pioneers in developing the hot air balloon, but they were not the first to fly in one. Pilatre and d'Arlandes were the first to carry passengers, making this statement incorrect.
Reference
From paragraph C: "In 1785, the discovery of hydrogen-powered flights resulted in the death of Pilatre, a tragedy that contributed to a decrease in favour of hot air ballooning and an upsurge in the popularity of hydrogen."
Explanation: This line highlights that the death of Pilatre and the subsequent rise of hydrogen-powered flights led to a decline in the popularity of hot-air ballooning, confirming that the statement is true.
Reference
From paragraph D: "Four years later, he and Per Lindstrand of Sweden flew approximately 8,000 kilometres from Japan to Northern Canada in their balloon, the Virgin Pacific Flyer, which was nearly 10,000 cubic metres larger and the longest voyage in a hot air balloon in history."
Explanation: The passage specifies that the largest balloon mentioned had a volume of 10,000 cubic metres, not 75,000 cubic metres. Therefore, the statement about the balloon's volume is false.
Reference
From paragraph: N.A.
Explanation: The passage does not specify any restrictions on BFA membership related to nationality.
Also read: IELTS General Reading Test.
Questions and Answers 5-7
5) Who was the entrepreneur's companion on the longest balloon flight?
6) Who follows the flight of a hot air balloon to recover it after it lands?
7) What can newcomers to the sport learn about the sensation of balloon flight?
Hot Air Ballooning Reading Answers with Explanations (5-7)
Type of question: Short answer
In this task, you will be given a set of questions with missing information, typically sentences with blank spaces. You must complete each statement with one word or phrase (as instructed).
How to best answer:
- Read the questions first to understand what information you need to look for in the passage.
- Skim the passage and look for keywords.
- You may have to look for synonyms or paraphrases to locate the answer.
- Verify your answers and finalise them.
Reference
From paragraph D: "Four years later, he and Per Lindstrand of Sweden flew approximately 8,000 kilometres from Japan to Northern Canada in their balloon, the Virgin Pacific Flyer, which was nearly 10,000 cubic metres larger and the longest voyage in a hot air balloon in history."
Explanation: The passage clearly states that Per Lindstrand was Richard Branson's companion on the longest balloon flight. This detail directly identifies Per Lindstrand as the correct answer, as he was mentioned alongside Branson in the context of their significant journey.
Reference
From paragraph F: "As a result, balloons are frequently accompanied by ground personnel, who may need to retrieve the pilot, passengers, and balloon from a variety of landing spots."
Explanation: The passage explains that ground personnel, or the ground crew, follow the balloon to assist with retrieval after it lands. This information confirms that the "ground crew" is the correct answer, as they are responsible for recovering the balloon and its occupants.
Reference
From paragraph G: "Even while the simulator does not immediately lead to a pilot's license, it can offer participants a sense of the sensations experienced by professional balloon pilots."
Explanation: According to the passage, a balloon simulator helps newcomers get a feel for balloon flight sensations, even if it does not result in a pilot's license. This description makes "balloon simulator" the correct answer, as it directly provides the experience described.
Learn about IELTS Reading Vocabulary here!
Questions and Answers 8-11
Hot Air Ballooning Reading Answers with Explanations (8-11)
Type of question: Diagram Completion
In this task, you are required to fill in missing information in diagrams, such as flowcharts, maps, or technical drawings. These questions assess your ability to interpret visual information and use contextual clues from the text.
How to best answer:
- Study the diagram carefully to understand its structure and what it represents.
- Pay attention to any specific instructions or labels to know what needs to be filled in.
- Use the provided text to find details that fit the missing parts of the diagram.
- Look for contextual clues in the surrounding text to determine the correct information.
- Review your completed diagram to ensure all information is accurate and logically fits.
- Finalise your answers.
Reference
From paragraph E: "This portion of the object is known as the envelope. A self-closing flap located at the top of the envelope lets hot air escape at a regulated rate to limit ascents or force the balloon to sink. This is the parachute valve, which is restrained by the vent line - the wire that travels the distance of the parachute and hangs above the basket, allowing the pilot to open and close the parachute valve."
Explanation: This line explains that the self-closing flap at the top of the balloon envelope is responsible for regulating the escape of hot air, which helps control the balloon's ascents and descents. This flap is specifically called the parachute valve, making "parachute valve" the correct answer.
Reference
From paragraph E: "The balloon is comprised of gores, which extend from the skirt to the top of the balloon and are further divided into separate panels. This portion of the object is known as the envelope."
Explanation: This line indicates that the main body of the balloon, which stretches from the skirt to the top and houses the gores and panels, is referred to as the envelope. The structure of the balloon is encapsulated within this part, making "envelope" the correct answer.
Reference:
From paragraph E: "The balloon is comprised of gores, which extend from the skirt to the top of the balloon and are further divided into separate panels."
Explanation: This line clarifies that the gores of the balloon, which are the fabric strips extending from the skirt to the top, are divided into smaller segments known as panels. These panels are essential parts of the balloon's structure, making "panels" the correct answer.
Reference
From paragraph E: "The balloon is comprised of gores, which extend from the skirt to the top of the balloon and are further divided into separate panels."
Explanation: This line identifies the fabric strips that make up the main structure of the balloon as gores. These gores extend from the skirt at the bottom to the top of the balloon and are divided into panels, making "gores" the correct answer.
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