The flight that lasts only 90 seconds

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Upper Intermediate B2

PDF: The flight that lasts only 90 seconds

Warm-up

Have you ever been on an airplane? How many times?

Vocabulary Match

attracts •• largest land area
recorded •• officially noted
curious •• draws
mainland •• interested
services •• locals
residents •• facilities

Vocabulary Answers

attractsdraws
recordedofficially noted
curiousinterested
mainlandlargest land area
servicesfacilities
residentslocals

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

Most people expect a flight to take at least an hour, but one small plane in Scotland completes its journey in less than two minutes. The flight connects two tiny islands called Westray and Papa Westray, which are part of a group of islands north of ________ Scotland. The distance is only 2.7 kilometres, and the shortest ________ flight took just 53 seconds.

Although it ________ ________ tourists, the service is essential for local ________. The plane carries mail and helps people reach schools, hospitals and other important ________. Without it, travelling between the islands would be much more difficult.

Most people expect a flight to take at least an hour, but one small plane in Scotland completes its journey in less than two minutes. The flight connects two tiny islands called Westray and Papa Westray, which are part of a group of islands north of mainland Scotland. The distance is only 2.7 kilometres, and the shortest recorded flight took just 53 seconds.

Although it attracts curious tourists, the service is essential for local residents. The plane carries mail and helps people reach schools, hospitals and other important services. Without it, travelling between the islands would be much more difficult.

Quiz

  1. How long does the shortest flight in Scotland take?
  2. What are the names of the two islands connected by the flight?
  3. How far is the distance between Westray and Papa Westray?
  4. Why is the flight service important for local residents?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. Less than two minutes.
  2. Westray and Papa Westray.
  3. 2.7 kilometres.
  4. It helps people reach schools, hospitals, and other important services.

True or False

  1. The islands are north of mainland Scotland. T F
  2. The flight is mainly used by tourists. T F
  3. The plane helps carry email between the islands. T F

True or False Answers

  1. True
  2. False
  3. False

Conversation

A:Can you believe our flight is the shortest in the world?
B:Yeah, blink and you'll miss it!
A:Do you think tourists come just for the thrill?
B:Probably, but it's a lifeline for us locals.
A:True, can't imagine getting to the hospital without it.
B:Exactly. It would be much harder by boat.

Discussion

  1. Do you know the shortest flight in your country?
  2. What's the shortest trip you've ever taken?
  3. What's the quickest way to get from your house to the nearest town or city?
  4. Do you think you'd enjoy living on a small island?
  5. Would you like to visit Scotland? Why or why not?

Further Reading

https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/63191-shortest-domestic-scheduled-flight

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