Page 78 - Viva Real English 4 : Ebook

11 Kites

A kite is carried up by the wind. Tugging at the string, it pulls upwards, dipping
and swaying. The string unwinds. The kite climbs higher and higher into the blue.
Its colourful shape looks beautiful against the sky. Flying a kite is a fun way to
spend a bright day.

People started flying kites over two
thousand years ago. The Chinese were
the first to fly kites. Several centuries
ago, Chinese travellers brought kites
to India, and now flying kites is a
favourite pastime for both children
and adults.

Previously, kites were used for spying
in warfare. Aeroplanes were not
common in those days. Kites with
cameras tied to them were sent high
in the air to take pictures. The aerial
photographs would help soldiers find
out where the enemy forces were

hiding. Some armies used kites as
targets for shooting practice.

Scientists have used kites to carry
instruments high into the clouds.
These instruments would measure
and record temperature and wind
speed. Sometimes the kites couldn’t

tugging : pulling something hard and the blue : the sky
repeatedly pastime : something we do for
dipping : going downwards enjoyment in free time

swaying : moving slowly from side to spying : collecting secret information
side aerial : taken from a height in the air
unwinds : undoes something that has targets : objects shooters aim at

been wrapped
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