First Flight (Prose): Two Stories about Flying

Topics in this chapter

• Young Seagull’s Fear and Growth
• Family Motivation and Sibling Contrast
• Storm Flight and Pilot Decisions
• Black Aeroplane Mystery and Suspense
• Flight Themes and Symbolism
• Comparing the Two Flying Stories

Cheat sheet

Practice questions

1. Question 1Q-6CC7BD

   Why was the young seagull alone on the ledge for twenty-four hours before his first flight?

   1. A.His parents abandoned him permanently because he was weak.
   2. B.He was too afraid to fly when his brothers and sister flew away.
   3. C.He was injured and physically unable to move his wings.
   4. D.A storm trapped him on the ledge while his family went searching for food.
   See the answer and solution
2. Question 2Q-9E6B0C

   What finally compelled the young seagull to take his first desperate plunge off the ledge?

   1. A.His mother flew close to him holding a piece of fish.
   2. B.His father pushed him off the edge from behind.
   3. C.A strong gust of wind blew him off balance.
   4. D.He saw his siblings diving successfully into the sea.
   See the answer and solution
3. Question 3Q-5B7E38

   How did the young seagull's family celebrate his successful first flight and landing on the green sea?

   1. A.They flew away to find a safer nesting cliff.
   2. B.They ignored him to teach him independence.
   3. C.They screamed around him and offered him scraps of dog-fish.
   4. D.They forced him to fly back up to the ledge immediately.
   See the answer and solution
4. Question 4Q-422FC9

   In 'The Black Aeroplane', what risk did the pilot take instead of turning back to Paris when he encountered the storm clouds?

   1. A.He landed his plane in a farmer's field.
   2. B.He flew his old Dakota straight into the storm clouds.
   3. C.He switched off his radio and flew above the storm.
   4. D.He parachuted out of the plane into the dark night.
   See the answer and solution
5. Question 5Q-A0ACE0

   What malfunction occurred inside the storm clouds that left the narrator entirely cut off?

   1. A.His compass and other instruments suddenly stopped working.
   2. B.His engine caught fire and lost all power.
   3. C.His windshield shattered from heavy hail.
   4. D.His fuel tank sprang a dangerous leak.
   See the answer and solution