In the 1920s, the science fiction hero Buck Rogers flew across the pages of comic books using a jetpack. It was a vision of the future that has yet to actually be created. Now that we are living in the 21 century, people still aren't using jetpacks to get around. Lots of inventors have tried to build working jetpacks over the years, but none of them have ever worked as well as the one Buck Rogers wore in the comic books. One jetpack that was recently demonstrated at the annual Experimental Aircraft Association's Convention was the Martin jetpack. This jetpack was built by an inventor from New Zealand named Glenn Martin. Martin’s 120 kilogram jetpack holds about twenty liters of gasoline and can fly for about thirty minutes. Two large fans pointing toward the sky create a jet of air that the jetpack operator flies on. The Martin jetpack may be too loud and too heavy for the taste of some people. However, it really works, and it is on the market today.
Another jetpack that was demonstrated recently is Raymond Li’s Jetlev-Flyer. This is a jetpack that propels a person into the air by shooting out a jet of water rather than a jet of air. The Jetlev-Flyer is smaller and lighter than the Martin jetpack. This is due to the fact that the engine and water pump for the jetpack is on a boat that is pulled along behind the operator. A ten meter hose connects the engine and the pump to the Jetlev-Flyer. In a test of his jetpack, Li flew almost ten meters high and could travel forward at a speed of 35 kph. Neither the Martin jetpack nor the Jetlev-Flyer are going to be big sellers. They are just too expensive for the average person. Both cost over $$$$100,000 each.
(Adapted from reading challenge 2)
Question 31: What is the best title of the passage?
A. Buck Rogers is still popular with older readers.
B. It is impossible to really fly with jetpacks.
C. People can buy jetpacks, but don’t use them for transportation.
D. The future is rarely like what is seen in comic books.
Question 32: The word it in paragraph 1 refers to _________.
A. science fiction B. comic books C. jetpack D. Story
Question 33: Which of the following is NOT mentioned about the Martin jetpack?
A. It can hold more than fifty liters of gas. B. It is very loud when it is running.
C. It propels the operator on jets of water. D. It has two large fans on it.
Question 34: The word demonstrated in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to_________.
A. given B. shown C. taken D. worked
Question 35: How much does a working jetpack cost today?
A. Less than $$$$10,000 B. About as much as a small motorcycle
C. As much as an average car D. $$$$100,000
