Kite --- Culture

Culture——Kite 4.16 Host:Hey guys, did you enjoy last weekend? You must know what I mean. A tip, an exam! All: NECCS.(National English Competition for College Students) Free talk1 Host: So did you take part in it last Sunday? And what impressed you most? A: B: Host：I still remembered there was an IQ test question .Listen, what makes opening the piano so hard? A:I know！All the keys are inside. Host: So sad. I can’t make it. A: There there, just let it go! Host: How? B: What about flying kites? Free talk2 Host: Wow! Good idea! So can you share your experience of flying a kite with us? B: A: So, today our topic is about “kite”. History Kites were invented in China, where materials ideal for kite building were readily available: silk fabric for sail material; fine, high-tensile-strength silk for flying line; and resilient bamboo for a strong, lightweight framework. The kite has been claimed as the invention of the 5th-century BC Chinese philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban (also Gongshu Ban). Ancient and medieval Chinese sources describe kites being used for measuring distances, testing the wind, lifting men, signaling, and communication for military operations. The earliest known Chinese kites were flat and often rectangular. Later, tailless kites incorporated a stabilizing bowline. 欣艺 Practical uses Kites have been used for human flight, military applications, science and meteorology, photography, lifting radio antennas, generating power, aerodynamics experiments, and much more. Military applications Kites have been used for military purposes in the past, such as signaling, delivery of munitions, and for observation, both by lifting an observer above the field of battle and by using kite aerial photography. Barrage kites were used to protect shipping during the Second World War. Kites were also used for anti-aircraft target practice.Kites and kytoons were used for lofting communications antenna.佳琪 Science and meteorology Kites have been used for scientific purposes, such as Benjamin Franklin's famous experiment proving that lightning is electricity. Kites were the precursors to the traditional aircraft, and were instrumental in the development of early flying craft. Kites had a historical role in lifting scientific instruments to measure atmospheric conditions for weather forecasting. Radio aerials and light beacons Kites can be used for radio purposes, by kites carrying antennas for MF, LF or VLF-transmitters. This method was used for the reception station of the first transatlantic transmission by Marconi. Kites can be used to carry light effects such as lightsticks or battery powered lights.张源 Flying a kite is a great way to spend a windy day outside. Instead of going out and buying one, you can easily make one at home with a few basic materials. You can make your kite any color or length you want, and you can make it with or without dowels. Free talk3: Do you know how to make an easy kite?佳琪 1.Gather your materials. You may have many of these materials on hand at home. Otherwise, try a craft store. • Paper (square/diamond shape) • Card stock is thicker and better than standard paper • Tape • Glue • Scissors • Ribbon • Twine • Two bamboo dowels (one the size of your paper diagonally, and one with an extra inch)欣艺 2.Fold your paper in half diagonally. Crease the paper well and open it up again. 3.Create your structure. Place the shorter one of your dowels in this crease and tape it. You want it to be flush with the corners of your paper. 4.Use your other dowel. Take your longer dowel and tape one end to a corner of your paper that doesn’t have the first dowel taped down. Although you taped the entire smaller dowel, only tape the end of this one.张源 5.Arc your dowel. Now that one side is taped down, arc your longer dowel and tape the other side to the opposite corner. Use two small pieces of tape to keep this arc in place. 6.Cut excess tape. If you have excess tape on your edges, cut it away to prevent your kite from flying without control.欣艺 7.Cut your ribbon. Glue your ribbon to your kite. You want it to follow the same line as your shorter dowel. It will make a colorful tail to help your kite stay in flight.[1] 8Attach your twine. Tie your twine onto the sides of the arched dowel. As soon as the glue on your ribbon dries, you’re kite is ready to fly. Wrap your twine around a toilet paper roll if it makes it easier for you to reel in and out.张源 Host:So easy , right? Have you learned how to make one by yourself? Host：Why not flying a kite next weekend? Try you best to enjoy the spring~~Say bye.