Flight Friends C1
This is a free C1 advanced level English reading lesson about Flight Friends. It includes the reading and reading comprehension exercises in 4 different formats together with the answer keys and explanations.
- True/False questions
- Multiple choice questions
- Short answer questions
- Multiple choice cloze exercise
Flight Friends
Table of Contents
Flight Friends
Upon a bench at the bustling terminal, sandwiched between the unmistakable hum of chatter and the intermittent announcements of delayed flights, sat two women with an air of exasperation equally painted across both their faces. They had found themselves unwitting members of a camaraderie that airports often brew among stranded passengers. Their fateful meeting began with an exchange of weary glances, then blossomed into conversation when they simultaneously sought solace in the drone of the nearby baggage carousel.
The first, a confident professional named Elaine, spoke fondly of her morning commute; she had zipped through the urban sprawl aboard the newly installed monorail, extolling its virtues of speed and punctuality. Interestingly, Clara, the other woman seated on the bench, offered a wistful smile, sharing how, in another life, she might have enjoyed such modern conveniences. Instead, she regaled Elaine with tales of navigating through serpentine streets in electric vehicles, each trip an exercise in timing and precision.
Their conversation ebbed and flowed, the hours melted away as they discussed the tapestry of travel options before them, delving into the merits and demerits of each mode. Elaine expressed her admiration for the efficiency of the monorail, how it glided above traffic, immune to the gridlock that so often throttled the city’s vitality. In contrast, Clara praised the eco-friendly nature of electric vehicles, pointing out how each silent journey contributed to the war against urban pollution.
As the departure board flickered with updates, signaling a further delay, the women contemplated alternative plans. Elaine considered the monorail might not be the silver bullet she once thought, acknowledging that sometimes the most direct route was not always the quickest. Clara nodded, adding that her reliance on electric vehicles often hinged on the availability of charging stations, a network still in its infancy.
The idle hours spent in conversation brought them to a realization that no single method of transportation could claim supremacy, for each came with its unique set of intricacies. They mused about the future of travel, envisioning a day when perhaps a seamless integration of various systems might pave the way for smoother journeys. Until then, they agreed, they were at the mercy of the reality of transit, with all its unpredictable charm and chaos.
Their shared musings were abruptly halted by the crackle of the intercom. The boarding call for their rescheduled flight pierced the atmosphere, a sweet siren song to the ears of weary travelers. With a sense of newfound companionship, they gathered their belongings and headed towards the gate, their steps lighter and their mood brightened by the unexpected camaraderie forged on vinyl airport seating.
In parting, they exchanged contact information, hopeful that their paths would cross again. They parted ways, not as strangers who once shared a delay, but as confidantes enriched by each other’s perspective on the everyday choices that shape our travels and, by extension, our lives. And as their flight ascended into the clouds, their conversation lingered, a testament to the power of human connection, even in the most transitory of spaces.
CEFR Level Card
General Level: C1.2
Vocabulary: C1.5
Verb Forms: A2.8
Sentences: B2.5
Vocabulary
camaraderie NOUN C2 x2
Definition (En):
n the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
carousel NOUN C2 x1
Definition (En):
- a conveyer belt that carries luggage to be claimed by air travelers
n. a large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride or amusement
drone NOUN C2 x1
Definition (En):
- stingless male bee in a colony of social bees (especially honeybees) whose sole function is to mate with the queen
n. an aircraft without a pilot that is operated by remote control
n. a pipe of the bagpipe that is tuned to produce a single continuous tone
v. make a monotonous low dull sound
gridlock NOUN C2 x1
Definition (En):
- a traffic jam so bad that no movement is possible
monorail NOUN C2 x3
Definition (En):
- a railway having a single track
part VERB C2 x1
Definition (En):
- something determined in relation to something that includes it
n. something less than the whole of a human artifact
n. a portion of a natural object
n. that which concerns a person with regard to a particular role or situation
Phrases
PHRASE | COUNT | SENTENCES |
an exercise in (something) | 1 |
|
blossom into (something) | 1 |
|
contribute to (something) | 1 |
|
delve into (something) | 1 |
|
hinge on | 1 |
|
in another life | 1 |
|
in its infancy | 1 |
|
melt away | 1 |
|
on vinyl | 1 |
|
pave the way (for someone or something) | 1 |
|
perspective on (something) | 1 |
|
point out | 1 |
|
silver bullet | 1 |
|
siren song | 1 |
|
the other woman | 1 |
|
zip through | 1 |
|
Reading Comprehension Exercises
True / False / Not Given
- Both women felt a strong sense of irritation due to the travel disruptions.
- Elaine and Clara’s initial form of communication involved exchanging tired looks.
- Clara used to commute using the monorail in the past.
- The monorail’s ability to bypass traffic congestion was highlighted during their conversation.
- Elaine discussed the delay with airport staff while determining her plan B.
- The use of electric vehicles faces limitations due to an underdeveloped charging network.
- By the end of their wait, the women still believed there was one superior method of transport.
- There have been significant advances in integrating various transportation systems.
- The women felt less burdened after sharing their flight delay experience.
- Upon parting, the women promised to travel together in the future.
Multiple Choice
1. What initially brought Elaine and Clara together?
A) Their mutual interest in modern conveniences
B) The delay of their flight
C) A shared workplace
D) The proximity to the baggage carousel
2. Why did Clara express a certain wistfulness during her conversation with Elaine?
A) She missed the comfort of traditional transportation
B) She regretted not taking the monorail that day
C) She had experienced modern conveniences in a past life
D) She longed for a life with access to modern travel options
3. What issue did Clara acknowledge about relying on electric vehicles?
A) Their expensive maintenance costs
B) The scarcity of charging stations
C) The long charging times
D) The limitation in travel distance
4. What resulted in both women contemplating alternative plans?
A) Elaine’s negative experience with the monorail
B) A recommendation from the airport staff
C) The news of their scheduled flight being delayed further
D) Clara suggesting a road trip
5. What realization did Elaine come to regarding the monorail?
A) It was more expensive than she thought
B) It could sometimes be slower than other methods
C) It had a negative environmental impact
D) It was unpopular among travelers
6. What theme is predominant in the exchange between Elaine and Clara?
A) The efficiency of technology in solving daily problems
B) The struggles of maintaining professional relationships
C) The importance of human connection in transient situations
D) The unpredictability of the weather
7. What was the effect of their conversation on their mood towards the end?
A) They became anxious about future travel
B) They were bored with each other’s company
C) They felt a sense of companionship and an uplifted mood
D) They were determined to find alternative transport immediately
8. What do Elaine and Clara’s parting actions signify?
A) Hesitance to stay in touch
B) A formal end to a temporary interaction
C) A desire to continue their acquaintance in the future
D) A quick departure due to the boarding call
9. How did Elaine view the monorail’s impact on traffic?
A) An increased cause of gridlock
B) As adding to urban pollution
C) As immune to the gridlock of city traffic
D) A minor contribution to the transit options
10. What aspect of electric vehicles did Clara highlight?
A) Their high cost
B) Their silent contribution to reducing pollution
C) The thrill of driving them
D) Their technological complexity
11. What did the extended wait at the airport allow Elaine and Clara to do?
A) Complain about the inefficiency of the airport
B) Explore the airport shops
C) Reflect on the complexities of various transportation methods
D) Get to know the airport staff
12. What tone does the final sentence of the text convey?
A) One of dissatisfaction with the flight experience
B) A sense of closure and contentment
C) Impatience for the journey to end
D) Excitement for future travels
Short Answer
- What initiated the conversation between Elaine and Clara?
- Why might Clara have a wistful smile when discussing modern conveniences?
- Why did Elaine appreciate the monorail?
- What aspect of electric vehicles did Clara praise?
- What realization did Elaine come to regarding the monorail?
- What concern did Clara express about her use of electric vehicles?
- What did the women recognize about transportation methods?
- What vision did the women share for the future of travel?
- What change occurred in the women after their discussion?
- How did the women’s relationship transform by the end of their encounter?
Multiple Choice Cloze
Upon a bench at the bustling terminal, sandwiched between the unmistakable hum of chatter and the intermittent announcements of delayed flights, sat two women with an air of ___1___ equally painted across both their faces. They had found themselves unwitting members of a camaraderie that airports often ___2___ among stranded passengers. Their fateful meeting began with an exchange of weary glances, then blossomed into conversation when they simultaneously sought solace in the drone of the nearby baggage carousel.
The first, a ___3___ professional named Elaine, spoke fondly of her morning commute; she had zipped through the urban sprawl aboard the newly installed monorail, extolling its ___4___ of speed and punctuality. Interestingly, Clara, the other woman seated on the bench, offered a ___5___ smile, sharing how, in another life, she might have enjoyed such modern conveniences. Instead, she regaled Elaine with tales of navigating through serpentine streets in electric vehicles, each ___6___ an exercise in timing and precision.
Their conversation ebbed and flowed, the ___7___ melted away as they discussed the tapestry of travel options before them, delving into the merits and demerits of each mode. Elaine expressed her admiration for the efficiency of the monorail, how it glided above traffic, ___8___ to the gridlock that so often throttled the city’s vitality. In contrast, Clara praised the eco-friendly nature of electric vehicles, ___9___ out how each silent journey contributed to the war against urban pollution.
As the departure board ___10___ with updates, signaling a further delay, the women contemplated alternative plans. Elaine considered the monorail might not be the silver bullet she once thought, acknowledging that sometimes the most direct route was not always the quickest. Clara nodded, adding that her reliance on electric vehicles often hinged on the availability of charging stations, a network still in its infancy.
1) A. exasperation B. excitement C. contentment D. curiosity
2) A. brew B. freeze C. shatter D. dismiss
3) A. confident B. timid C. reckless D. pessimistic
4) A. downsides B. horrors C. virtues D. hardships
5) A. scornful B. mischievous C. wistful D. guilty
6) A. trip B. dilemma C. error D. accident
7) A. moments B. clocks C. hours D. days
8) A. susceptible B. prone C. immune D. vulnerable
9) A. pointing B. hinting C. waving D. calling
10) A. whispered B. crackled C. screamed D. flickered
Exercise Answers
True / False / Not Given Answers
- True
Explanation: The phrase ‘air of exasperation equally painted across both their faces’ indicates that both women were feeling irritated due to the circumstances at the airport.
(“Upon a bench at the bustling terminal, sandwiched between the unmistakable hum of chatter and the intermittent announcements of delayed flights, sat two women with an air of exasperation equally painted across both their faces.”)
- True
Explanation: ‘Exchange of weary glances’ is a paraphrase for how they first communicated their tiredness non-verbally.
(“Their fateful meeting began with an exchange of weary glances, then blossomed into conversation”)
- False
Explanation: Clara mentions that in another life she might have enjoyed the monorail, implying that she never actually experienced it.
(“sharing how, in another life, she might have enjoyed such modern conveniences.”)
- True
Explanation: Elaine’s admiration for the monorail ‘gliding above traffic’ underlines the system’s advantage over traffic congestion.
(“Elaine expressed her admiration for the efficiency of the monorail, how it glided above traffic”)
- False
Explanation: While the women considered alternative plans, there is no mention of Elaine discussing these plans with airport staff.
(“As the departure board flickered with updates, signaling a further delay, the women contemplated alternative plans.”)
- True
Explanation: Clara’s comment on the charging stations being in their ‘infancy’ suggests the network is underdeveloped and poses limitations.
(“Clara nodded, adding that her reliance on electric vehicles often hinged on the availability of charging stations, a network still in its infancy.”)
- False
Explanation: Their conversation led them to agree that ‘no single method of transportation could claim supremacy,’ indicating no belief in one superior method.
(“They mused about the future of travel, envisioning a day when perhaps a seamless integration of various systems might pave the way for smoother journeys. Until then, they agreed, they were at the mercy of the reality of transit, with all its unpredictable charm and chaos.”)
- Not Given
Explanation: The text does not provide information about the current state of integration among different transportation systems.
(“N/A”)
- True
Explanation: The phrase ‘their steps lighter and their mood brightened by the unexpected camaraderie’ indicates they felt less burdened.
(“their steps lighter and their mood brightened by the unexpected camaraderie”)
- False
Explanation: While they exchanged contact information and hoped to meet again, there is no promise of traveling together.
(“In parting, they exchanged contact information, hopeful that their paths would cross again.”)
Multiple Choice Answers
- B
Explanation: Elaine and Clara were brought together by the camaraderie among stranded passengers at the airport, not by any prior mutual interests or shared workplace.
(“camaraderie that airports often brew among stranded passengers”)
- D
Explanation: Clara’s wistfulness came from the idea that she might have enjoyed modern conveniences like the monorail in a different life situation.
(“Clara, the other woman seated on the bench, offered a wistful smile”)
- B
Explanation: Clara acknowledged that the use of electric vehicles was limited by the availability of charging stations, not by maintenance cost, charging time, or travel distance directly.
(“her reliance on electric vehicles often hinged on the availability of charging stations”)
- C
Explanation: The further delay of their flight as indicated by the departure board made Elaine and Clara contemplate alternative plans.
(“signaling a further delay”)
- B
Explanation: Elaine realized that the most direct route the monorail provides might not always be the quickest.
(“Elaine considered the monorail might not be the silver bullet she once thought”)
- C
Explanation: The conversation between Elaine and Clara emphasizes the power of human connection in transient situations, such as an airport.
(“a testament to the power of human connection”)
- C
Explanation: The conversation led to a sense of newfound companionship and improved their mood.
(“their steps lighter and their mood brightened”)
- C
Explanation: By exchanging contact information, they expressed a mutual desire to keep in touch.
(“In parting, they exchanged contact information”)
- C
Explanation: Elaine praised the monorail for being above the city traffic and not affected by gridlock.
(“how it glided above traffic, immune to the gridlock”)
- B
Explanation: Clara emphasized the electric vehicles’ eco-friendly nature and their silent contribution to reducing urban pollution.
(“how each silent journey contributed to the war against urban pollution”)
- C
Explanation: The wait allowed them to reflect on and discuss the intricacies of different transportation methods.
(“idle hours spent in conversation”)
- B
Explanation: The final sentence suggests a tone of reflection and contentment, emphasizing the lasting impact of their conversation and connection.
(“their conversation lingered, a testament to the power of human connection”)
Short Answer Answers
- They simultaneously sought solace in the drone of the nearby baggage carousel.
Explanation: The text indicates that after exchanging weary glances, they both found comfort in the noise of the baggage carousel which led them to start conversing.
(“Their fateful meeting began with an exchange of weary glances, then blossomed into conversation when they simultaneously sought solace in the drone of the nearby baggage carousel.”)
- She might have enjoyed such modern conveniences in another life.
Explanation: Clara’s wistful smile implies a kind of longing or regret, possibly about not having had the chance to utilize modern conveniences, which is why she imagines enjoying them in another life.
(“Clara, the other woman seated on the bench, offered a wistful smile, sharing how, in another life, she might have enjoyed such modern conveniences.”)
- For its speed and punctuality.
Explanation: The text specifically states that Elaine extolled the virtues of the monorail, namely its speed and punctuality, which is why she appreciated it.
(“Elaine, spoke fondly of her morning commute; she had zipped through the urban sprawl aboard the newly installed monorail, extolling its virtues of speed and punctuality.”)
- Their eco-friendly nature.
Explanation: The text mentions that Clara talked about the contribution of electric vehicles to fighting urban pollution, which indicates their eco-friendly nature.
(“Clara praised the eco-friendly nature of electric vehicles, pointing out how each silent journey contributed to the war against urban pollution.”)
- The most direct route was not always the quickest.
Explanation: Elaine acknowledged that despite being a direct route, the monorail might not always offer the quickest way to her destination.
(“Elaine considered the monorail might not be the silver bullet she once thought, acknowledging that sometimes the most direct route was not always the quickest.”)
- The reliance on the availability of charging stations.
Explanation: Clara’s concern was about how her use of electric vehicles depended on finding available charging stations, which were not yet widely accessible.
(“Clara nodded, adding that her reliance on electric vehicles often hinged on the availability of charging stations, a network still in its infancy.”)
- No single method could claim supremacy.
Explanation: The text describes their realization that each transportation method has its own intricacies and therefore none can be considered superior to all others.
(“The idle hours spent in conversation brought them to a realization that no single method of transportation could claim supremacy.”)
- A seamless integration of various systems.
Explanation: They imagined a time when different transportation systems would be integrated smoothly to facilitate better travel experiences.
(“They mused about the future of travel, envisioning a day when perhaps a seamless integration of various systems might pave the way for smoother journeys.”)
- Their mood brightened.
Explanation: Despite the delay, the conversation and resulting camaraderie led to an improvement in their mood.
(“…their steps lighter and their mood brightened by the unexpected camaraderie forged on vinyl airport seating.”)
- They became confidantes.
Explanation: The text states that instead of remaining strangers, their shared experience and conversation turned them into confidantes.
(“They parted ways, not as strangers who once shared a delay, but as confidantes enriched by each other’s perspective.”)
Multiple Choice Cloze Answers
- A
Explanation: The correct answer ‘exasperation’ indicates a feeling of irritation, which matches the context.
- A
Explanation: The correct answer ‘brew’ is used metaphorically to mean the development of a relationship.
- A
Explanation: The correct answer ‘confident’ describes Elaine’s professional demeanor.
- C
Explanation: The correct answer ‘virtues’ refers to the positive aspects of the monorail.
- C
Explanation: The correct answer ‘wistful’ describes a longing for something.
- A
Explanation: The correct answer ‘trip’ means a journey, fitting the context of travel.
- C
Explanation: The correct answer ‘hours’ fits the context of time passing by.
- C
Explanation: The correct answer ‘immune’ means not affected by something.
- A
Explanation: The correct answer ‘pointing’ means to indicate or show something.
- D
Explanation: The correct answer ‘flickered’ means to shine intermittently or unsteadily.
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