CP: Inside The World’s Fastest Passenger Plane

Class Plans
Featured Image

Set the Scene:

Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of supersonic travel. Please consider the following:

  • Have you ever traveled by plane and wished you could reach your destination faster?
  • What do you think are the benefits and drawbacks of traveling at supersonic speeds?
  • Can you imagine what it would be like to fly from New York to London in under 3 hours?
  • How do you think supersonic travel could change the way we live and work?
  • What are some potential challenges or concerns you have about supersonic travel?

Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:

Look at the featured image and describe what you see. What do you think this activity will be about based on this image? Please consider the following questions:

  • What is the main subject of the image?
  • What features or details stand out to you in the image?
  • How does the image relate to the topic of supersonic travel?

Introduction:

Please read the introduction to the activity, which provides an overview of supersonic travel and the development of the Overture concept by Boom Supersonic.

Video Engagement:

Watch the video associated with the activity, which can be found at https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/inside-the-worlds-fastest-passenger-plane/. As you watch the video, please pause at the following points and consider the questions:

  • Pause at 2:00 minutes: What are your initial impressions of the Overture concept? What features or technologies seem most innovative or exciting to you?
  • Pause at 5:00 minutes: How does the XV-1 subscale test jet contribute to the development of the Overture concept? What challenges or obstacles do you think the team might face in testing and refining the design?
  • Pause at 8:00 minutes: What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of supersonic travel? How might it change the way we travel or conduct business?

Key Vocabulary:

The following vocabulary terms are relevant to the activity:

Term Definition Example Usage
Supersonic Traveling at speeds greater than the speed of sound (approximately 768 mph or 1,236 km/h) The Concorde was a supersonic jet that could travel from New York to London in under 3 hours.
Sonic Boom A sudden, sharp noise produced by an object breaking the sound barrier The Concorde’s sonic booms were a major concern for residents near airports.
Net-Zero Carbon Emissions The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to zero, or offsetting emissions through other means Boom Supersonic’s Overture concept aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
Delta Wing A type of wing design that is triangular in shape, providing stability and maneuverability The XV-1 features a delta wing design, allowing for increased stability at high speeds.
Ogive Wing Shape A type of wing design that is curved, resembling a Coke bottle shape, providing reduced drag and increased efficiency The XV-1’s ogive wing shape helps to minimize drag and maximize speed.
Mach Number A measure of an object’s speed relative to the speed of sound, with Mach 1 being the speed of sound The XV-1 reached a Mach number of 1.1, breaking the sound barrier.
Flight Simulator A device or system that mimics the experience of flying an aircraft, used for training and testing purposes The Sim is a flight simulator that provides a realistic experience of flying the XV-1.
Subscale Test Jet A smaller-scale version of an aircraft, used for testing and development purposes The XV-1 is a subscale test jet for Boom Supersonic’s Overture concept.
Carbon Fiber A lightweight, strong material used in aircraft construction, providing improved strength-to-weight ratio The XV-1 features carbon fiber components for reduced weight and increased strength.
Titanium A strong, lightweight metal used in aircraft construction, providing high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance The XV-1 features titanium components for improved strength and thermal resistance.

Vocabulary Quiz:

Please complete the vocabulary quiz to test your understanding of the key terms:

  1. Which word means ‘exceeding the speed of sound’?
    • A) Subsonic
    • B) Supersonic
    • C) Transonic
    • D) Hypersonic
  2. What is the primary goal of Boom Supersonic’s Overture concept?
    • A) To develop a jet that can fly from New York to London in under 2 hours
    • B) To create a next-generation airliner designed for net-zero carbon emissions
    • C) To build a jet that can break the sound barrier at Mach 2
    • D) To design a plane with a unique ogive wing shape
  3. What material is used in the XV-1 for thermal and strength reasons?
    • A) Aluminum and steel
    • B) Carbon fiber and titanium
    • C) Wood and plastic
    • D) Copper and bronze
  4. What is the name of Boom Supersonic’s subscale test jet?
    • A) Overture
    • B) Concorde
    • C) XV-1
    • D) XB1
  5. At what speed is the sound barrier broken?
    • A) Mach 0.5, or 600 kmph
    • B) Mach 1, or 1200 kmph
    • C) Mach 1.5, or 1800 kmph
    • D) Mach 2, or 2400 kmph

Answer Key:

  1. B) Supersonic
  2. B) To create a next-generation airliner designed for net-zero carbon emissions
  3. B) Carbon fiber and titanium
  4. C) XV-1
  5. B) Mach 1, or 1200 kmph

Grammar Focus:

The present perfect tense is used to describe experiences and achievements that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. Please consider the following examples:

  • Mike Bannister has accumulated nearly 10,000 hours on Concorde.
  • Boom Supersonic has been developing a supersonic passenger jet.

Grammar Quiz:

Please complete the grammar quiz to test your understanding of the present perfect tense:

  1. By the time Mike Bannister stopped flying the