Chinese Airliner’s First Commercial Flight

B1 – Intermediate

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is a state-owned aerospace company in China. It has recently made history with their first commercial airplane C919’s first flight. C919 was built in hopes to compete with other aerospace manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus.

Its first commercial flight is said to be China’s “symbol of industrial skill and national pride”.

Read this article about the Chinese-made airplane C919’s first commercial flight.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2306/230601-comac-china-airline-1.html

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Explain the definition of the phrase “national pride”. “Newspapers called it “a symbol of skill and national pride“.”. Use this phrase in your own sentence.
2. What does “triumph” mean? “China’s president called the C919 aircraft a “triumph of Chinese innovation”.” Give a synonym and use “triumph” in your own sentence.
3. What does “fondly” mean? “I’ll remember it fondly for some time to come.” Give a synonym and use “fondly” in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your reaction now that China is also manufacturing planes?
2. What is your opinion on this, “COMAC hopes to compete with airline industry giants, like Boeing and Airbus.”?
3. Do you think COMAC will get a lot of international orders soon? Why or why not?
4. Talk about any recent milestone in any industry in your country.
5. Talk about one of your country’s national pride.