To Fly

According to physicist Lord Kelvin as cited in "To Fly," why would human flight be impossible?

• Humans would not be able to breathe at altitudes necessary for flight.

• Powerful air currents would cause any flying vehicle to crash.

• It is impossible to design artificial wings.

• Things heavier than air cannot fly.

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In "To Fly," how does the author respond to Kelvin's assertion about flight?

• He suggests that technological ingenuity can solve all problems.

• He points out that birds are heavier than air, yet they fly.

• He reminds the reader that Kelvin was not an inventor.

• He reveals plans for a self-propelled airplane.

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In "To Fly," why does the author present information about the speed of sound?

• to show that the laws of physics were made to be broken.

• to reveal the difference between physics and other sciences.

• to indicate how rapidly humans have overcome the laws of physics.

• to prove that anything not prohibited by the laws of physics is possible.

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According to the author of "To Fly," what is the greatest achievement in flight so far?

• the launch of Voyager 2

• the Apollo 11 lunar landing

• the Wright Brothers' aeroplane

• the breaking of the sound barrier

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Read the following passage from "To Fly."

"For millennia, the idea of being able to fly occupied human dreams and fantasies. Waddling around on Earth's surface as majestic birds flew overhead, perhaps we developed a form of wing envy. One might even call it wing worship."

What is the author saying about humans?

• They want the powers that they observe in other creatures.

• They sometimes pray to birds because birds are magnificent.

• They should give up on the notion that they will ever outfly birds.

• They live in a world of fantasy instead of keeping their feet on the ground.

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According to the author of "To Fly," why can people fly faster than the speed of sound but not faster than the speed of light?

• the speed of light is simply too fast.

• the speed of sound is difficult enough to beat.

• The laws of physics prevent breaking the light barrier.

• The sound barrier is far easier to test with modern technology.

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What key point is the author supporting in "To Fly" with his allusions to eagles, Superman, angels, Cupid, and Peter Pan?

• Wings are not just for birds.

• Humans idolize creatures that fly.

• Some wings work better than others.

• Flying can give people superpowers.

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According to this magazine piece excerpted in "To Fly," what would be the main effect of building a space station?

"In the hands of the West, a space station, permanently established beyond the atmosphere, would be the greatest hope for peace the world has ever known. No nation could undertake preparations for war without the certain knowledge that it was being observed by the ever-watching eyes aboard the "sentinel in space." It would be the end of the Iron Curtains wherever they might be."

• It would watch for the establishment of new Iron Curtains.

• It would put space firmly in the control of Western powers.

• It would persuade people around the world to work for peace.

• It would ensure that no country could make plans for war unseen.

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According to this passage from "To Fly," what is one way in which the Wright brothers' flight differed from earlier flights?

"Wilbur and Orville Wright were the first to fly a heavier-than-air, engine powered vehicle that carried a human being--Orville, in this case--and that did not land at a lower elevation than its takeoff point. Previously, people had flown in balloon gondolas and in gliders and had executed controlled descents from the sides of cliffs, but none of those efforts would have made a bird jealous.

• The flight carried more people.

• The flight did not land downhill

• The flight did not need an engine.

• The flight was entirely man-made.

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In "Uncle Marcos," what can you infer is MOST LIKELY true about Marcos?

• He is primarily motivated by money.

• He likes to be the center of attention.

• He secretly wants to join the family business.

• He was not really ever interested in Antonieta.

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