In 1752, Benjamin Franklin made his textbook experiment with a brass key and a
silk kite that he flew in a thunderstorm to prove that lightning and electricity are the
same thing. In 1920, a kite-flying championship for families and individuals was held
in London. These two seemingly unrelated events underscore the fact that kites can
be flown for both (5) pleasure and scientific purposes. For example, in the 1800s
weather bureaus flew kites to record temperature and humidity at certain altitudes.
On one occasion, ten kites were strung together and flown at a height of four miles
to lift men and carry cameras aloft.
The kite's ability to fly depends on its construction and the way that its line is
attached. The familiar diamond-shaped kite flies when its covered face is aligned
against the wind (10) flow. The line attached to the nose of the kite pulls it into the
wind, thus creating the neces-sary angle for the lift force. If the kite's construction
and the angle of the air stream are cor-rect, the kite will encounter greater pressure
against its face and lower pressure against its back. The difference in the pressure
creates a lift that causes the kite to rise until it hangs level from its bridle. Its angle
against the wind should be sufficiently large or small to create (15) maximum lift to
overcome both drag and gravity. The towing point to which the line is at-tached is
important because it sets the kite's angle relative to the air flow. Although the kite
must be headed up and into the wind with a velocity of 8 to 20 miles per hour, it can
main-tain its position through a tail, a rudder, a keel, vents, or tassels.
42. What is the main topic of the passage?
(A) How kites can be utilized
(B) Why kites were spurned
(C) What parts kites consist of
(D) What makes kites stay aloft
43. In line 1, the word "textbook" is closest in meaning to
(A) textual (B) tentative (C) classic (D) outrageous
44. In line 4, the word "seemingly" is closest in meaning to
(A) ostensibly (B) oncoming (C) optimistic (D) opposite
45. In line 7, the word "aloft" is closest in meaning to
(A) in flight (B) in the flood (C) for the analysis (D) for amusement
46. According to the passage, the kite flies when its nose is
(A) pointed away from the ground
(B) pointed into the wind flow
(C) balanced with the tail
(D) aligned parallel to the wind flow
47. What is the necessary condition for the kite to fly?
(A) The kite must be sufficiently strong to withstand great pressure.
(B) The kite must be diamond-shaped, and the wind of a certain velocity.
(C) The pressure against its back must be lower than the pressure against its
face.
(D) The pressure of the air flow must be lower than the weight of the kite.
48. According to the passage, the line of the kite is important because it
(A) lifts the kite's cover and frame into the air space
(B) contributes to the shape of the kite and extends it
(C) determines the angle between the kite and the air flow
(D) conveys the direction of the wind and the air flow
49. In line 17, the phrase "headed up" is closest in meaning to
(A) diverted (B) deviated (C) directed (D) drafted
50. The paragraph following the passage most would likely discuss
(A) fiberglass kites flown in competitions
(B) the cords and wires needed fork flying
(C) bowed kites curved on their fase
(D) elements of kite design and composition