[OPINION ★★]
DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THE USE OF DRONES
(P1) Any drone capable of EXCEEDING 400 feet in the air should be registered upon purchase, and the owner/user should be required to attend and pass a safety class.
(P2) I personally do not want to wait for some CATASTROPHIC event to occur before we realize that a simple fine or possible jail term is not the answer to this growing threat.
(P3) These are SOPHISTICATED machines that need to be MONITORED, and their owners and users should ACQUIRE a PERMIT to fly them. Although this may not solve the entire problem, it should get us closer to catching those individuals who are intent upon abusing our AIR SPACE.
— Kathryn Ekker
(P4) As a drone pilot, I can tell you that in my experience most people fly drones only 400 feet up. Rules are already established. Many businesses use them for photography, mapping, and crop inspection.
— Mike McCaleb
(P5) I find it nothing short of incredible that these devices are allowed. It’s only a matter of time before one of these things COLLIDES with a general aviation aircraft and causes a serious emergency or even a major accident. Then our SOMNOLENT members of Congress will react with shock, horror, and FEIGNED surprise at this event and ban their use completely.
— John Morzenti
(P6) People shouldn’t be CLOSED-MINDED about drones. What about drone use in agriculture and other legitimate uses? I agree that they must be regulated so that they are not a danger.
— Charlie Ratt
WORDS: 246
SOURCE: http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/08/19/drones-faa-safety-your-say/32025161/
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- These are all examples of “LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.” Is this a tradition in your country’s newspapers?
- Do you ever contribute to comments sections at blogs, Facebook, Google+, or ELSEWHERE?
- Do you believe that PUBLIC OPINION has much effect on decisions in business or politics?
- Do you believe that the flying of drones ought to be regulated?
EXPRESSIONS TO PRACTICE:
What do the following expressions mean? Practice using each expression in a sentence; extra points if you can use it in conversation.
- Air space
- Closed-minded
- Letter to the editor
- Public opinion
