MASTERMIND ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL

CLASS IX (CAMBRIDGE)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
PRACTICE WORKSHEET – 05
(10.05.2020 – 14.05.2020)

Kite Kiting
1 In the history of flight, the first lighter-than-air balloon (1783) and the first powered aircraft (1903)
are very recent when compared with the age of kites.
2 The exact date and origin of the kite is not known, but it is believed that they were flown in China
more than two thousand years ago. One legend suggests that when a Chinese farmer tied a string to
his hat to keep it from blowing away in a strong wind, the first kite was born.
3 The earliest written account of kite flying was about 200 B.C. when the Chinese General Han Hsin
of the Han Dynasty flew a kite over the walls of a city; he was attacking to measure how far his
army would have to tunnel to reach past the defenses. Knowing this distance his troops reached the
inside of the city, surprised their enemy, and were victorious.
4 Kite flying was eventually spread by traders from China to Korea, and across Asia to India. Each
area developed a distinctive style of kite and cultural purpose for flying them. Kites were brought to
Japan about the 7th century by Buddhist monks. They were used to avert evil spirits and to insure
rich harvests.
5 The earliest evidence of Indian kite flying comes from miniature paintings from the Mogul Period
around 1500. The most favourite theme, however, was of a young man skillfully using his kite to
drop messages to a lover who was being held in strict seclusion from him and the rest of the world.
There are many stories about how the people of Micronesia used leaf kites to carry bait far out over
the water where the gar-fish fed.
6 With the passage of time, kites, without any hint of doubt, became an object of fascination for
people all around the globe. In the 18th and 19th centuries, kites were used as vehicles and tools for
scientific research. Men like Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Wilson used their knowledge of kite
flying to learn more about the wind and weather. The US Weather service flew kites designed by
William Eddy and Lawrence Hargraves to raise meteorological instruments and cameras.
7 During World War I, the British, French, Italian, and Russian armies all used kites for enemy
observation and signaling. The German Navy continued to use man-lifting box kites to increase the
viewing range of surface-cruising submarines. In World War II, the US Navy found several uses for
kites. Harry Saul's Barrage Kite prevented airplanes from flying too low over targets. Pilots lost at
sea raised the Gibson-Girl Box kite so they could be found.
8 The last 50 years has seen a renewed interest in kiting. New materials like ripstop nylon, fiberglass,
and carbon graphite have made kites stronger, lighter, more colorful, and more durable. Important
inventions like Francis Rogallo's flexi-wing and Domina Jalbert's parafoil kites helped develop
modern hang-gliders and sport parachutes.
9 In 1972 Peter Powell introduced a toy dual-line-stunt and the public began to fly kites not only for
fun, but also for sport. Enthusiasts experimented with new designs that could fly precise maneuvers,
go faster, or perform intricate tricks. Competition where fliers competed to music became really
popular.
10 Larger and more powerful kites were designed, and in the 1980's, Peter Lynn of New Zealand
introduced a stainless-steel kite powered buggy. In the 1990's, kite traction on wheels, over water,
and on ice have become increasingly popular. In 1999, a team used kite power to pull sleds to the
North Pole.

Reading for Ideas

Read the passage, Kite Kiting and answer all the questions below.

A. Notes
Identify and write down the information in the passage which describes the origin and use of
kites in the past, and its more modern use in different sectors.

Use material from Paragraph 2 to Paragraph 10.

At this stage, you do not need to use your own words. Use note form. To help you get started,
the first point in each section of notes is done for you. You may find it helpful to use bullet
points when listing the content points.

Content Points

The origin and use of kites in the past

 it is believed to have flown in China more than two thousand years ago
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 Its more modern use in different sectors
 in the 18th and 19th centuries, kites were used as vehicles and tools for scientific research
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B. Summary
Now use your notes from section ‘A’ to write a summary of the origin and use of kites in the
past, and its more modern use in different sectors.

Use your own words as far as possible. You will be awarded marks for producing a piece of
writing which is relevant, well organised and easy to follow.

Your summary must be in continuous writing (not note form). You are advised to write
between 150 and 180 words, including the 10 words given below.

Although the origin of kites is not precise, legend says ………………….....….…...……..................

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C. Re-read paragraphs 5, 6 and 9.

Identify and write down three opinions from these paragraphs.

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D. The use of figures of speech is ornamental and appreciable for any creative
writing. Here are some of the widely used figures of speech with their definitions and
examples. Read them carefully and write five more examples for each of the following
figures of speech.

a. Simile
Definition: A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things in an
interesting way. In other words, a simile is a comparison in which one thing is said to be
like another.

Example:
 Watching the show was like watching grass grow.
 That is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.
 You can consider my promise as solid as the ground we stand on.

b. Metaphor
Definition: A metaphor is a comparison in which one thing is said to be another which is
literally not true.

Example:
 With that news in her tongue, my life is nothing but a clear sky up ahead.
 She's going through a rollercoaster of emotions.
 When help became a distant cloud, he could feel the stench of failure coming on.

c. Personification
Definition: A personification is a literary device in which a non-living thing or animal is
given the quality of a human being.

Example:
 The approaching car's headlights winked at me.
 The moon played hide and seek with the clouds.
 With the sun sinking in the horizon, darkness was creeping on the ground, noiselessly.

d. Paradox
Definition: The term ‘paradox’ is from the Greek word ‘paradoxon’, which means
“contrary to expectations, existing belief, or perceived opinion”. It is a statement that
appears to be self-contradictory but which may include a latent truth.

Example:
 I can resist anything but temptation.
 It is a great pity that you are wasting your youth in your youth.
 Sometimes, nature has to be cruel to be kind.
e. Oxymoron
Definition: An oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or opposite meaningful words.
Through confusion or sarcasm, it gives the reader a deeper understanding of the expression.

Example:
 I let out a silent scream as the cat walked through the door carrying a dead bird.
 The lecture continued for an endless hour.
 His passive aggressive personality has made him deplorable to many.

f. Hyperbole
Definition: Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which an author or speaker purposely and
obviously exaggerates to an extreme. It is used for emphasis or as a way of making a
description more creative and humorous.

Example:
 I had to wait in the station for ten days – an eternity.
 He is not going to accept the proposal, not even for all the tea in China.
 She will die of embarrassment.

g. Assonance
Definition: Assonance is the repetition of the same or similar vowel sounds within words,
phrases, or sentences. The word is derived from the Latin phrase assonare, meaning to
answer with the same sound.

Example:
 She seems to beam rays of sunshine with her eyes of green.
 I wish there was a way to make her state similar feelings to those of my soul.
 I find this grind of coffee in a line of fine brands on the shelf.

BEST OF LUCK !