The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were two American brothers, inventors, and aviation pioneers who were credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight, on December 17, 1903. In the two years afterward, the brothers developed their flying machine into the first practical fixed-wing aircraft.
The brothers' fundamental breakthrough was their invention of three-axis control, which enabled the pilot to steer the aircraft effectively and to maintain its equilibrium. This method became standard and remains standard on fixed-wing aircraft of all kinds. From the beginning of their aeronautical work, the Wright brothers focused on developing a reliable method of pilot control as the key to solving "the flying problem". This approach differed significantly from other experimenters of the time who put more emphasis on developing powerful engines. Using a small homebuilt wind tunnel, the Wrights also collected more accurate data than anyone had before, enabling them to design and build wings and propellers that were more efficient than rival models.
They gained the mechanical skills essential for their success by working for years in their shop with printing presses, bicycles, motors, and other machinery. Their work with bicycles in particular influenced their belief that an unstable vehicle like a flying machine could be controlled and balanced with practice.
Fill each gap in the summary below with a maximum of 2 words.
In 1903, the Wright brothers completed development of the first airplane that was capable of sustaining controlled ______. The key to their success was a system that gave the pilot the means to control and ______ the airplane. This set them apart from other inventors who had focused on building ______. The brothers had previous experience with a wide variety of ______, but it was their work with ______ that had the greatest influence on their ideas.
how can we check answers?
Posted by: AAH | January 21, 2013 at 09:11
1. human flight
2. maintain
3. reliable methods
4. accurate data
5. printing presses
Posted by: Pham | January 21, 2013 at 09:27
1. human flight
2. maintain
3. engines
4. machinery
5. bicycles
Posted by: Kasem | January 21, 2013 at 10:05
human flight
maintain
powerful engines
machinery
bicycles
Posted by: Suzi | January 21, 2013 at 10:13
Human flight
BALANCE?
powerful engines
machinery
bicycles
Posted by: Ramazan | January 21, 2013 at 10:27
Power
Maintain
Powerful engines
Machinery
Bicycles
Posted by: lucy | January 21, 2013 at 10:30
humnan flight
steer
powerful engines
mechanical skills
bicycles
Posted by: Pradeep | January 21, 2013 at 12:20
1-human flight
2-balance
3-powerful engines
4-machinery
5-bicycles
Posted by: Rashida Perveen | January 21, 2013 at 12:24
human flight
steer
powerful engines
mechanical system
bicycles
Posted by: Mehdi | January 21, 2013 at 12:31
1 human flight
2 maintain
3 powerful engines
4 machinery
5 bicycles
Posted by: Ray | January 21, 2013 at 12:32
human flight
maintain
engines
machinery
bicycles
Posted by: Grace | January 21, 2013 at 12:40
human flight
maintain
powerful engines
accurate data
bicycles
Posted by: abbas | January 21, 2013 at 13:56
three-axis
steer
powerful engines
machinery
bicycles
Posted by: ANERBAS | January 21, 2013 at 14:01
Dear Simon and everyone. Here is my answer
three- axis
maintain
powerful engines
mechanical skills
bicycles
Could you please give me some tips about this summary question, please?
Posted by: thangngovan | January 21, 2013 at 14:42
equilibrium
steer
powerful engines
mechanical skills
bicycles
Posted by: mike | January 21, 2013 at 15:12
hi friends my answers are here below
1.human flight
2.maintain
3.powerful engine
4.mechanical skills
5.bicycles
Posted by: amir malik | January 21, 2013 at 15:16
1.Heavier-than-air
2.Maintain
3.powerful engines
4.data
5.homebuild
Posted by: Petonia | January 21, 2013 at 15:39
I am sorry I left a paragraph
Here my new answers:
1.Human Flight
2.Maintain
3.powerful engines
4.data
5.bicycles
Posted by: Petonia | January 21, 2013 at 15:42
Here are my answers:
1-fix-wing aircraft
2-balance
3-powerful engine
4-mechanical skills
5-bicycles
Posted by: thong | January 21, 2013 at 16:21
human flight
steer
powerful engines
machanical skills
bicycles
Posted by: robert | January 21, 2013 at 16:23
1. human flight
2. maintain
3. powerful engines
4. machinery
5. bicycles
Posted by: Thao Huong | January 21, 2013 at 16:24
Human flight
To steer
Powerful engines
Machinery
Bicycles
Posted by: Sarah | January 21, 2013 at 17:22
1.human flight
2.maintain
3.powerful engines
4.machinery
5.bicycle
Posted by: Janaka | January 21, 2013 at 17:25
1- equilibrium
2- maintain
3- powerful engines
4- mechanic skills
5- bicycles
Posted by: Trang | January 21, 2013 at 17:26
Sorry! Here is my answers. I have a mistake
1- equilibrium
2- maintain
3- powerful engines
4- mechanical skills
5- bicycles
Posted by: Trang | January 21, 2013 at 17:32
1.flight
2.maintain
3.engines
4.machinery
5.bicycles
Posted by: chhu | January 21, 2013 at 17:34
1. three-axis
2. equilibrium
3. developing
4. printing press
5. bicycles
Posted by: sanju | January 21, 2013 at 17:46
1.and powered
2.maintain
3.powerful engines
4.accurate data
5. practice
Posted by: farhana | January 21, 2013 at 17:59
1.human flight
2.balance
3.powerful engines
4.machinery
5.bicycles
Posted by: Shahnoza | January 21, 2013 at 18:14
It's great to read about the history of aviation. I personally had the chance to visit Kitty Hawk in North Carolina several years ago and it truly was a nice experience to see where it all started.
Posted by: Martin | January 21, 2013 at 18:38
1.human flight
2.equilibrate(or balance) or maintain?
3.powerful engines
4.machinery
5.bicycles
Posted by: Aleksandra Bucholc | January 21, 2013 at 18:52
Hi,
My answers are:
1-human flight
2-Equilibrium
3-Powerful engines
4-Machinery
5-Bicycles
Posted by: Nafisa | January 21, 2013 at 19:47
Hello , this is Emam
1- power
2- steer
3- powerful engines
4- Machines
5- bicycles
Posted by: emam | January 21, 2013 at 20:30
1. human flight
2. to maintain
3. powerful engines
4. machines
5. bicycles
Posted by: Makhabbat | January 21, 2013 at 21:56
1. human flight
2. steer
3. powerful engine
4. mechanical skills
5. bicycles.
Posted by: Neha | January 21, 2013 at 22:30
1.human flight
2. maintain
3. powerful engines
4. macinery
5. bicycles
Posted by: nixpp | January 21, 2013 at 23:45
1.flight
2.equilibrium
3.powerful engines
4.machinery
5.bicycles
Posted by: xem | January 22, 2013 at 02:39
1. Human flight
2. Equilibrium
3. Powerful engines
4. Data
5. Bicycles
Posted by: Michelle | January 22, 2013 at 04:35
my answers are-
1-Human flight
2-to steer
3-reliable method
4-mechanical skills
5-bicycle
Posted by: ziaul huada | January 22, 2013 at 05:22
here's my answer:
1. human flight
2. balance
3. powerful engines
4. machines
5. bicycles
Thanks.
Posted by: Cathy Lo | January 22, 2013 at 05:54
1. human flight
2. maintain
3. powerful engines
4. machinery
5. bicycles
Posted by: TrungKien | January 22, 2013 at 07:16
1.heavier-than-air flight
2.maintain equilibrium
3.powerful engines
4.machinery
5.bicyclies
thanks
Posted by: sunnyhong | January 22, 2013 at 07:39
Human flight
steer
powerful engines
machinery
bicycle
Posted by: Preet | January 22, 2013 at 08:25
CORRECT ANSWERS FROM SIMON:
1. (human) flight
2. steer
3. powerful engines
4. machinery
5. bicycles
PS. Martin, you're lucky to have been there - it's a fascinating story, especially because the brothers were not 'qualified' engineers yet they were able to do what well-funded university experts couldn't!
Posted by: Simon | January 22, 2013 at 09:32
Hi Simon,
I just discovered your site and it's amazing. I find it very helpful and inspirational. I want to take the academic exam in summer, on July. I'm not a native speaker so I have to work very hard to achieve band 7. In the next few days I will order your book, Ideas for IELTS Topics. Could you recommend me other books for Ielts academic exam. What do you think about these books i found on the internet: Target band 7, Barron's, Kaplan ? Should I order them ?
I look forward to a reply at your convenience.
Posted by: Daniela | January 22, 2013 at 10:07
1. Human flight
2. Steer
3. Powerful engines
4. Mechanical Skills
5. Bicycles
Posted by: Ngoc | January 22, 2013 at 17:13
hey Daniela.
Mr. Simon's classes are really amazing, i swear these are much helpful in IELTS to achieve more than 7 bands with your little effort.
Thanks and regards.
INDIAN.
Thanks Simon for this blog.
Posted by: shirish | January 22, 2013 at 18:42
Hi all
1. human flight
2. maintain
3. powerful engines
4. mechanical skills
5. bicycles
Posted by: Andy | January 26, 2013 at 16:27
Could you please give me the answers of the reading?
Bunch of Thanks
Posted by: V.H | January 29, 2013 at 08:06
1. heavier-than-air human
2. equilibrium
3. powerful engines
4. accurate data
5. wings
Posted by: Abdul | February 06, 2013 at 05:26
I want ask , if any1 know the answer :
Is this one word :(heavier-than-air / free-time /self-esteem /etc.. ) or they count it as 2 words
Posted by: Abdul | February 06, 2013 at 05:34
1 human flight
2 maintain
3 Wind tunnel
4 machinery
5 bicycles
Posted by: Umair Zafar | February 08, 2013 at 21:31
1. human flight
2. maintain
3. reliable methods
4. accurate data
5. printing presses
Posted by: amzad | February 11, 2013 at 19:28
1. human flight
2. maintain
3. reliable methods
4. mechanical skills
5. bicycles
Posted by: amzad | February 11, 2013 at 19:33
1. power
2. steering
3. powerful engines
4. wings and propellers
5. other machinery
Posted by: Inna | February 14, 2013 at 11:30
HI SIMON
My answers are:
flight
steer
powerful engines
machinery
bicycles
Posted by: Firoz | March 02, 2013 at 10:02
1-equilibrium
2-data
3-powerful engines
4-machinery
5-bicycles
Posted by: Mehdi | March 12, 2013 at 08:48
HI SIMON
would you write the correct answers?
Posted by: Mehdi | March 12, 2013 at 08:51
powered
maintain equilibrium
powerful engines
rival models
bicycles
Posted by: Venky | April 27, 2013 at 07:54
In question 2, I wonder if "steer" is right answer.
definition of steer is control
definition of maintain is enable to move
The answer should be "maintain" as control is already mentioned.
Can you please clarify me?
Posted by: Vishal | July 09, 2013 at 16:23
I absolutely agree with Vishal, second answer should be maintain, because "steer" means "to control"..
Posted by: modest | July 12, 2013 at 12:55
human flight
maintain equilibrium(why the correct answer is steer??)
powerful engines
machinery
bicycles
Posted by: Ngo Thi Bao Ngoc | August 07, 2013 at 04:42
Dear Simon
i,m hvn difficulty in praragraph type questions, i gt confused whr to find? Plz help me..suggest a goid way to tackle...
Posted by: mohanmed | November 25, 2013 at 12:01
could you post the correct answer
Posted by: Ranya | December 23, 2013 at 20:43
heavier flight
sreer
powerful engines
machiery/mchineries
bicycles
Posted by: ali | September 15, 2014 at 23:05
Hi simon,
for fourth blank if i write other machinery
will it be correct or it will be counted as wrong?
Posted by: fahad | October 17, 2014 at 05:07
Hey Simon which one is right machinery or mechanical skills thank you
Posted by: Sabina | January 18, 2015 at 22:44
Human flight
Steer
Powerful engine
Machinery
Bicycles
Posted by: Huong Nguyen | September 11, 2017 at 00:50
I think the answer for the second gap should be "maintain" cause "steer" and "control" have a similar meaning.
Posted by: Phong Lan | July 27, 2019 at 14:27