A long time ago, when airplanes were not very big or strong yet, all passengers had to be weighed with their luggage, so that planes did not have to carry more than it was safe to carry. Then later, when airplanes became bigger and stronger, only the luggage had to be weighed; and now very often, the luggage has to be measured instead of being weighed, because size is more important to the airlines than weight. Airplanes are so big and strong now, that they can carry almost any weight.

But before a passenger can travel by Hawaiian Airlines, he or she still has to be weighed. Once when one fat man was asked by the airlines' clerk how much he weighed, he thought for a few seconds and then said to her:

With or without my clothes? 'Well, sir,' the girl answered, 'how are you planning to travel?''

A         Which of these sentences are true (T) and which are false (F)? Write Tor F.

1. Airplane passengers were weighed a long time ago.
2. Later, only the luggage was weighed.
3. Even now, airplanes are not strong enough to carry heavy weights.
4. Hawaiian Airlines only weigh fat passengers.
5. One fat man did not know whether the airlines' clerk wanted his weight with clothes or without.
6. He wanted to travel without his clothes.

B      Answer these questions:

1. Why did airplane passengers have to be weighed a long time ago?
2. Why did they not have to be weighed some years later?
3. What happens to luggage now?
4. Why is it treated in this way?
5. What still happens at Hawaiian Airlines?
6. What did the airlines' clerk there ask one fat man?
7. What did he answer? 8. What did the clerk say then?

C       Do this puzzle:

Across:

1. The fat ma wanted to travel in an....

5. The ... why luggage often does not have to be weighed any more is that airplanes can now carry more weight than before.

7. The passengers stand... line ... order to give their tickets to the airlines' clerk.

8. This is usually weighed before it is put on a plane.

9. 

11. What is the ... of your suit case?" It is 15 kilograms.

12. The fat man was a ...on the plane.

Down:

1. The clerk worked for an…..

2. Was the fat man ... thinking of travelling without any clothes?' 'No, of course not!

3. Dug up the ground with a machine

4. Make plans.

6. Less sour or bitter.

10. We can cook by electricity or…