The Early History of Flight

1. Before you read, make a prediction about this text based on the title and text features.

2. Based on the 1st paragraph, what did the first flying machine look like?

• a hot air balloon
• today's hang gliders
• an airplane
• flapping bird wings

3. What materials were used to build the first flying machine in 853?

• an engine added to an airplane
• a balloon shaped like a skinny football
• wood and canvas
• bamboo, strips of silk, and eagle feathers

4. Based on the text, what is the meaning of the word rigid?

• bendable
• to flap like a bird
• straight; doesn't bend
• to soar like an eagle

1. What was the problem with the first flying machine?

• It didn't have an engine.
• Its wings could not flap.
• It could not fly.
• It could not be slowed down.

2. According to the article, what was the outcome of the glider flight in 1005?

• It glided for several minutes, crashed, and he was seriously injured.
• It traveled 2 minutes over a body of water and landed successfully.
• It glided for about 10 seconds, crashed, and broke both of his legs.
• It got caught in a cross wind, lost control, and crashed.

3. How were the two glider flights mentioned in the 3rd paragraph different?

• The first glider flight was successful and the second glider flight wasn't successful.
• The first glider had an engine and the second glider did not have an engine.
• The first glider flight wasn't successful and the second glider flight was successful.
• Both glider flights were not successful.

4. What year was the first hot air balloon invented?

• 1783
• 1891
• 1903
• 1638

1. Who were the first hot air balloon passengers?

• Joseph Michel and Jacques Etienne
• Henri Giffard
• a sheep, a duck, and a rooster
• The Wright Brothers

2. When did the first manned hot air balloon flight take place?

• November 21, 1783
• between 1891 and 1896
• December 17, 1903
• September 1783