Flying helpers: The many jobs of drones

This children’s article, Flying helpers: The many jobs of drones, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn useful vocabulary, and discover how drones have so many uses. Written by Mark Pulley, a children’s writer and EFL teacher with eight years’ experience.

Drones are more than just toys

When you hear the word “drone”, you might just think of the toy ones that you or your friends have. But they are much more than that!

Drones were first made for war. Soldiers used them to spy on enemies without being seen. But today, drones have many peaceful and helpful jobs.

Delivering important supplies

One important job is to deliver packages. Not just toys or snacks, but very important things like blood and medical supplies.

In some places, roads and bridges are broken, making it hard to travel around. Drones can fly over these problems and get urgent medicine to hospitals or clinics faster than cars or trucks

Searching after disasters

Drones also help search for people after natural disasters like earthquakes or floods.

When big storms or earthquakes happen, roads can be blocked, meaning rescuers can’t get through easily. Drones fly above these dangerous places and send back pictures and videos. This helps rescue teams find people who need help the most.

Helping farmers and firefighters

Farmers use drones too. Drones can fly over large fields and take special photos to check how healthy the plants are. This helps farmers know where their crops need water or protection from bugs. Using drones saves time and helps farmers grow more food.

Firefighters also use drones to watch forests and see when fires start. This helps them put out fires before they spread too far and cause serious damage.

Tracking and protecting endangered animals

Scientists also use drones to study and protect animals that live in hard-to-reach places, like deserts, mountains and even the ocean. Drones help watch over endangered animals without disturbing them, making it easier to learn about their habits and keep them safe.

If you’d like to learn more about drones and their many amazing uses, you can check out this detailed article.

Article vocabulary list

• Drone – A small flying machine that can be controlled from far away
• Survivor – A person who stays alive after a dangerous event
• Natural disaster – A big event like an earthquake, flood, or hurricane that causes damage
• Rescue – To help someone get out of danger
• Scientists – People who study the world and try to learn new things
• Crops – Plants like wheat, rice, or vegetables that farmers grow for food.
• Medical supplies – Important things like bandages, medicine, and equipment that help people stay healthy or get better when they’re sick or hurt.
• Endangered animals – Animals that are in danger of disappearing forever because there aren’t many of them left.

Comprehension questions

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