Level-graded English lessons with reading, listening, activities, and discussion.
Lesson Info
Lesson Content
Warm-up, Vocab List, Reading and Audio
Understanding: Main Idea, True or False, Put Events in Order, Multiple Choice
Language: Vocab Match, New Sentences
Use It: Discussion Builder, Discussion Questions
Answers
If you wanted to make a paper airplane fly farther, what would you try first?
a) Fold the wings more evenly
b) Use a larger piece of paper
c) Throw it with more force
Vocab List
David Rush folded 415 paper airplanes in one hour and set a world record.
Rush made the airplanes at a large sports center in Boise, Idaho. The record attempt happened on May 30.
He had to follow strict rules. Each airplane needed seven folds. His assistants gave him paper and gave the finished airplanes to the witnesses. The witnesses checked the planes. They also threw them to check that they flew far enough.
Rush finished 415 airplanes that met all the rules in 60 minutes. That was about one airplane every nine seconds.
Rush already has more than 200 world records. Now, he wants to try another paper-airplane record. He hopes to fold and throw one airplane in less than five seconds.
415 Paper Airplanes in One Hour
If you wanted to make a paper airplane fly farther, what would you try first?
a) Fold the wings more evenly
b) Use a larger piece of paper
c) Throw it with more force
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fold (v.)
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set a world record (v. phrase)
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record attempt (n. phrase)
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strict (adj.)
-
assistant (n.)
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witness (n.)
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throw (v.)
David Rush folded 415 paper airplanes in one hour and set a world record.
Rush made the airplanes at a large sports center in Boise, Idaho. The record attempt happened on May 30.
He had to follow strict rules. Each airplane needed seven folds. His assistants gave him paper and gave the finished airplanes to the witnesses. The witnesses checked the planes. They also threw them to check that they flew far enough.
Rush finished 415 airplanes that met all the rules in 60 minutes. That was about one airplane every nine seconds.
Rush already has more than 200 world records. Now, he wants to try another paper-airplane record. He hopes to fold and throw one airplane in less than five seconds.
Main Idea
Choose one answer, then click CHECK to see your result.
Main Idea
Choose one:
- David Rush set a world record by quickly folding paper airplanes. Correct answer
- David Rush showed that paper airplanes must follow strict rules.
- David Rush is preparing to break a different paper-airplane record.
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. David Rush made the paper airplanes at a sports center in Boise, Idaho. TRUEFALSE True
2. Rush worked without any help during the record attempt. TRUEFALSE False
3. The witnesses checked the airplanes and threw them to make sure they flew far enough. TRUEFALSE True
4. After this record, Rush plans to try folding and throwing a paper airplane in under five seconds. TRUEFALSE True
Put Events in Order
Put the events in the order they happened, from first to last.
- 1 Rush started folding paper airplanes for a record attempt.
- 2 His assistants gave the finished airplanes to witnesses.
- 3 The witnesses checked the airplanes and tested how far they flew.
- 4 Rush finished 415 qualifying airplanes in one hour and set the record.
Put Events in Order
Put the events from the story in the correct order from first (1) to last (4):
- Rush started folding paper airplanes for a record attempt.
- His assistants gave the finished airplanes to witnesses.
- The witnesses checked the airplanes and tested how far they flew.
- Rush finished 415 qualifying airplanes in one hour and set the record.
- Rush started folding paper airplanes for a record attempt.
- His assistants gave the finished airplanes to witnesses.
- The witnesses checked the airplanes and tested how far they flew.
- Rush finished 415 qualifying airplanes in one hour and set the record.
Multiple Choice
Answer each question by selecting A, B, or C, then click CHECK to see your results.
Multiple Choice
1. What did David Rush set by folding 415 paper airplanes in one hour?
a) A world recordCorrect
b) A school record
c) A city record
2. How many folds did each airplane need?
a) Five folds
b) Seven foldsCorrect
c) Nine folds
3. About how often did Rush finish one airplane?
a) Every five seconds
b) Every seven seconds
c) Every nine secondsCorrect
4. How many world records does Rush already have?
a) More than 200Correct
b) About 100
c) More than 500
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
David Rush (1) 415 paper airplanes in one hour and set a world record.
Rush made the airplanes at a (2) sports center in Boise, Idaho. The record attempt happened on May 30.
He had to follow (3) rules. Each airplane needed seven folds. His assistants gave him paper and gave the finished airplanes to the witnesses. The (4) checked the planes. They also threw them to check that they flew far enough.
Rush (5) 415 airplanes that met all the rules in 60 minutes. That was about one airplane every nine seconds.
Rush already has more than 200 world records. Now, he wants to try another paper-airplane record. He (6) to fold and throw one airplane in less than five seconds.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Vocab Match
Drag each vocabulary word to its matching definition, or select a word and then select its definition:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Vocab Match
Write each vocabulary word next to its matching definition.
1. folde) to bend paper so that one part lies on another part
2. set a world recordd) to do something better or faster than anyone has done before
3. record attemptc) an effort to do something that may become a world record
4. strictb) with rules that must be followed carefully
5. witnessa) a person who watches something to say that it really happened
a) a person who watches something to say that it really happened
b) with rules that must be followed carefully
c) an effort to do something that may become a world record
d) to do something better or faster than anyone has done before
e) to bend paper so that one part lies on another part
New Sentences
Choose the best word for each new sentence.
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Please {blank} the map before you put it in your bag.
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The runner hopes to {blank} by finishing the race faster than anyone before.
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The library has {blank} rules about food and drinks.
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The cook's {blank} washed the vegetables and carried the plates.
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Do not {blank} the ball inside the house.
New Sentences
assistant / check / fold / set a world record / strict / throw
- Please the map before you put it in your bag.
- The runner hopes to by finishing the race faster than anyone before.
- The library has rules about food and drinks.
- The cook's washed the vegetables and carried the plates.
- Do not the ball inside the house.
Discussion Builder
1) Stating a condition 2) Showing a result
Q: David Rush made about one airplane every nine seconds. Do you think you could make one that fast? Why or why not?
A:Q: Where is a good place to throw paper airplanes safely? Why?
A:
Discussion Builder
Choose the best phrase for each gap:
Q: David Rush made about one airplane every nine seconds. Do you think you could make one that fast? Why or why not?
A: I think I could make one that fast I practiced first.
if / because / although
I think I could make one that fast if I practiced first.
Q: Where is a good place to throw paper airplanes safely? Why?
A: I would choose a large field. the airplanes would not hit cars or people.
That way, / However, / For example,
I would choose a large field. That way, the airplanes would not hit cars or people.
Discussion Questions
- Have you ever folded a paper airplane? What kind of airplane did you make?
- What makes a paper airplane fly well, in your opinion?
- David Rush made about one airplane every nine seconds. Do you think you could make one that fast? Why or why not?
- What jobs did the assistants do during the record attempt? Would you like to be an assistant at an event like this?
- Why do you think witnesses were important for this record attempt?
- If you wanted to set a world record, what would you like to try?
- Where is a good place to throw paper airplanes safely? Why?
- Rush has more than 200 world records. Why do you think someone wants to set so many records?
Discussion Questions
- Have you ever folded a paper airplane? What kind of airplane did you make?
- What makes a paper airplane fly well, in your opinion?
- David Rush made about one airplane every nine seconds. Do you think you could make one that fast? Why or why not?
- What jobs did the assistants do during the record attempt? Would you like to be an assistant at an event like this?
- Why do you think witnesses were important for this record attempt?
- If you wanted to set a world record, what would you like to try?
- Where is a good place to throw paper airplanes safely? Why?
- Rush has more than 200 world records. Why do you think someone wants to set so many records?
Answers
Listening: (1) folded, (2) large, (3) strict, (4) witnesses, (5) finished, (6) hopes
Main Idea: David Rush set a world record by quickly folding paper airplanes.
True or False:
- True. The record attempt took place at a large sports center in Boise, Idaho.
- False. His assistants gave him paper and took the finished airplanes to the witnesses.
- True. The rules required witnesses to check each plane and check how far it flew.
- True. He wants to attempt another paper-airplane record by folding and throwing one in less than five seconds.
Multiple Choice: a, b, c, a
Put Events in Order:
- Rush started folding paper airplanes for a record attempt.
- His assistants gave the finished airplanes to witnesses.
- The witnesses checked the airplanes and tested how far they flew.
- Rush finished 415 qualifying airplanes in one hour and set the record.
Vocabulary:
- fold: to bend paper so that one part lies on another part
- set a world record: to do something better or faster than anyone has done before
- record attempt: an effort to do something that may become a world record
- strict: with rules that must be followed carefully
- witness: a person who watches something to say that it really happened
New Sentences: 1. fold; 2. set a world record; 3. strict; 4. assistant; 5. throw
Discussion Builder:
Hints: 1) Stating a condition. 2) Showing a result.
- if
- That way,