Chapter 14

                                                         Hot-Air Balloons


1. Who are the main characters in the lesson?

Answer: The main characters are Deepak and his uncle. Deepak is a young sports-loving boy, and his uncle introduces him to the concept of adventure sports, including hot-air balloons.


2. What is Deepak doing when his uncle looks for him?

Answer: Deepak is playing football. He mentions that he is a sportsman and enjoys physical activities like football.


3. What are adventure sports, according to Deepak’s uncle?

Answer: Adventure sports are hard, dangerous, and exciting activities that require courage and training. Examples include trekking, rock-climbing, and river-rafting.


4. Why are these sports called adventure sports?

Answer: They are called adventure sports because they involve risk, danger, and excitement. They are not ordinary sports and require special skills and courage.


5. What did Deepak see on TV that amazed him?

Answer: Deepak saw a man climbing a steep rock using ropes. He was amazed because it seemed very dangerous and thought the man could fall and die.


6. What is hang-gliding?

Answer: Hang-gliding is an aero-sport in which a person flies using a small, engine-less aircraft called a hang-glider. The person hangs under a wing made of cloth or other material over a frame.


7. How does a hang-glider fly?

Answer: A hang-glider flies because the person hangs below a lightweight wing, which catches air currents and allows them to glide through the sky. No engine is used.


8. What is ballooning?

Answer: Ballooning is an aero-sport in which people fly in huge balloons filled with hot air or light gases. A basket attached to the balloon carries the passengers safely.


9. How is ballooning different from flying a regular balloon?

Answer: In ballooning, people fly inside a basket attached to a huge balloon, unlike normal balloons which only float and are not used to carry people.


10. How big is a hot-air balloon?

Answer: A hot-air balloon is very large, often about 30 feet wide, and made of strong materials like cotton cloth or silk to withstand heat and pressure.


11. How do hot-air balloons rise in the air?

Answer: Hot-air balloons rise because they are filled with light gas or hot air, which is lighter than the surrounding air, making the balloon float upwards.


12. Who were the first people to send a balloon into the air?

Answer: The first people to send a balloon into the air were two brothers, Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier, in France in June 1783.


13. Who were the first living beings to fly in a balloon?

Answer: The first living beings sent up in a balloon were a sheep, a rooster, and a duck.


14. Who was the first human to fly in a balloon?

Answer: The first human to fly in a balloon was Francois de Rozier, a Frenchman, in October 1783.


15. Why was Rozier’s balloon connected to the ground?

Answer: The balloon was connected to the ground by long ropes to prevent it from floating away because Rozier was not sure about the height it could reach or if it would descend safely.


16. How high can balloons go?

Answer: Some balloons can go more than 28 miles up. The record for a manned balloon is 21.5 miles, or 1,13,500 feet.


17. Which gas helps a balloon rise the highest?

Answer: Hydrogen helps a balloon rise the highest because it is the lightest gas, though it is dangerous as it can catch fire easily.


18. Why is Helium used in balloons?

Answer: Helium is heavier than Hydrogen but does not catch fire, making it a safer alternative for lifting balloons.


19. Why do people still use balloons despite airplanes?

Answer: People use balloons because ballooning is exciting and fun. It provides a unique flying experience and is popular for adventure and balloon races.


20. Are balloon races popular around the world?

Answer: Yes, balloon races are held in many countries around the world as a fun and competitive adventure sport.


21. Are balloon races held in India?

Answer: Yes, balloon races are held in Delhi every year, attracting many participants and spectators.


22. What can people see during a balloon race in Delhi?

Answer: People can see many huge and colourful balloons floating in the sky above houses and tall buildings, with passengers standing in the baskets.


23. What are baskets in balloons called?

Answer: The baskets in balloons are called gondolas. They carry the passengers safely while the balloon floats.


24. How did Deepak react to the idea of flying in a balloon?

Answer: Deepak was thrilled and said he would love to go up in a balloon, showing his excitement and adventurous spirit.


25. What is the role of hot air in ballooning?

Answer: Hot air inside the balloon makes it lighter than the surrounding air, causing the balloon to rise and float in the sky.


26. How is ballooning an adventure sport?

Answer: Ballooning is an adventure sport because it is exciting, involves risk, and allows people to fly and see the world from a high altitude.


27. How is ballooning different from regular air travel?

Answer: Unlike airplanes, ballooning is slow, scenic, and gives a feeling of floating freely in the air, providing a thrilling experience.


28. What safety measures are used in ballooning?

Answer: Balloons are attached to strong baskets or gondolas, and gases like Helium are used to reduce fire risks. Experienced pilots control the flight.


29. Why did people initially use animals in balloon flights?

Answer: Animals were used first to test the safety and behaviour of balloons before sending humans.


30. Who were Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier?

Answer: They were French brothers who built the first man-made balloon and launched it into the air in 1783.


31. What materials are used to make hot-air balloons?

Answer: Hot-air balloons are made of strong, lightweight materials such as cotton cloth or silk to hold hot air and resist high temperatures.


32. How does balloon height depend on the gas used?

Answer: The lighter the gas, the higher the balloon can rise. Hydrogen allows maximum height, while Helium is safer but does not rise as high.


33. Why was Rozier’s flight risky?

Answer: Rozier’s flight was risky because it was the first human flight in a balloon, and the technology was new and uncertain.


34. How do people enjoy balloon races?

Answer: People enjoy balloon races by flying in colourful balloons, competing with others, and viewing beautiful landscapes from high above.


35. Why is ballooning considered fun?

Answer: Ballooning is considered fun because it provides adventure, excitement, and a unique perspective of the world from the sky.


36. How did Deepak’s uncle explain adventure sports?

Answer: Deepak’s uncle explained that adventure sports are exciting, dangerous, and require skill. He gave examples like trekking, rock climbing, river rafting, hang-gliding, and ballooning.


37. What does ballooning teach about physics?

Answer: Ballooning demonstrates concepts of buoyancy, gases, and air pressure. Hot air or light gases allow the balloon to float and rise into the sky.


38. How do balloons move in the sky?

Answer: Balloons move with the wind and air currents. The pilot can control the altitude by heating the air or releasing gas.


39. Why is ballooning called an aero-sport?

Answer: It is called an aero-sport because it involves flying and adventure in the air, like other aerial activities such as hang-gliding.


40. How does the lesson inspire young readers like Deepak?

Answer: The lesson inspires young readers to explore adventure sports, experience new thrills, and appreciate the history and science behind activities like ballooning.

Answer by Mrinmoee