Read the following article about kite flying, and then answer the questions on the opposite page.
THE WORLD OF KITE FLYING
Kite flying is a popular hobby for children and adults. Kites are named after a particular bird of prey, which is known for its graceful movement in flight and its sudden turns and dives to change direction. Kite flying has a long history and has been the subject of many poems and stories for thousands of years.
SO MUCH VARIETY
Kites come in a huge variety of colours, shapes and sizes. The shape of the kite is vital because it affects the height and speed at which it flies. The flat kite is a traditional diamond shape and is probably the best known type of kite. The box kite is made with holes that trap the air, which means that it can fly at a greater height in the sky. The top altitude records for kite flying are usually held by large box kites. One of the newest designs, invented in 1963, is the ‘parafoil’ kite. It is shaped like a parachute, and is very popular with sailors and canoeists because it is fast and flexible when attached to the front of the boat.
THE FIRST KITES
No one knows exactly when the first kites were invented. It is generally thought that their origin was in China about 2 800 years ago. However, cave paintings found on Muna Island in Indonesia show that basic kites may have been in existence for much longer, maybe even for 30 000 years. Early Chinese kites were used to measure distances, test the speed and direction of the wind, and as a form of communication. The explorer, Marco Polo, probably introduced kites to Europe around the end of the 13th century.
KITES TODAY
Today, people fly kites mostly as a hobby or for sport and aerial displays, and kite competitions are taken very seriously by enthusiasts. Kites are also used to pull sledges across the snow and even skaters across the ice. They do have more serious purposes: they have contributed to scientific research into flight, and the way in which air and gravity affect planes and helicopters. They are also useful in the world of work. In the South Sea Islands, for example, kites are important as a fishing aid. Fishermen attach bait to the end of the kite to catch the fish.
DID YOU KNOW?
In Korea, many parents write the names and birth dates of their children on kites. In Japan, kites are a traditional New Year’s gift for children. In Australia, in 1893, the box kite was invented by Lawrence Hargrave. He joined several box kites together in an attempt to develop a flying machine, and was successful in flying about 5 metres off the ground