Hot Air
Balloons
People have wanted to fly since the start of time. That vision became a reality on November 21,
1783. On that day, two men used a hot
air balloon to rise above
A hot air balloon is made up of a bag called the “envelope” that carries
heated air. Under that is a basket—or “gondola”— that holds the passengers. Most hot air balloons carry just a few people
at a time, but airships (such as blimps) can carry dozens of passengers at
once.
The heated air inside the envelope is what allows the balloon to rise
through the cold air outside. Balloon
envelopes are usually egg-shaped, but they can be made into a number of
different designs (such as rockets, hot-dogs, or animal shapes). Bright colors are also very common, often
showing logos and advertisements.
Reading
Comprehension Questions
1) What was the author’s purpose in writing this
passage?
a.
to promote his own hot air balloon company
b.
to give basic information about hot air balloons
c.
to predict the future of hot air balloons
d.
to explain how to create your own hot air balloon
2) Based on the information in the above passage, the city of
a.
"Leader of the Hot Air
Balloon Industry"
b.
"Finish Line of the
Hot Air Balloon Race"
c.
"Birthplace of the Hot
Air Balloon"
d. "Home of the Hot Air Balloon Experts"
3) Based on the above passage, which of the following can carry
dozens of passengers at once?
a.
a hot air balloon
b.
a blimp
c.
an envelope
d.
a gondola
4) In the above passage, the term "envelope" refers
to which of the following when speaking about hot air balloons?
a.
the balloon
b.
the basket
c.
the passengers
d.
the hot air
5) The author of the above passage would agree with which of
the following statements?
a.
“The hot air balloon has been around only for a single
lifetime.”
b.
“It is rare to see hot air balloons outside of the
c.
“The hot air balloon is by far the safest way to travel long
distances."
d.
“It is common to see hot air balloons with different designs.”
Answer Key
1)
What was the
author’s purpose in writing this passage?
a.
to promote his own hot air balloon company
b.
to give basic
information about hot air balloons
c.
to predict the future of hot air balloons
d.
to explain how to create your own hot air
balloon
2)
Based on the information
in the above passage, the city of
a.
"Leader
of the Hot Air Balloon Industry"
b.
"Finish
Line of the Hot Air Balloon Race"
c.
"Birthplace of the Hot Air Balloon"
d.
"Home of
the Hot Air Balloon Experts"
3)
Based on the above
passage, which of the following can carry dozens of passengers at once?
a.
a hot air balloon
b.
a blimp
c.
an envelope
d.
a gondola
4)
In the above
passage, the term "envelope" refers to which of the following when
speaking about hot air balloons?
a.
the balloon
b.
the basket
c.
the passengers
d.
the hot air
5)
The author of
the above passage would agree with which of the following statements?
a.
“The hot air balloon has been around only for
a single lifetime.”
b.
“It is rare to see hot air balloons outside of
the
c.
“The hot air balloon is by far the safest way
to travel long distances."
d.
“It is common to
see hot air balloons with different designs.”