“Air Rage” is an increasingly common phenomenon in modern society and a frequent topic in IELTS Reading tests. This ECE article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to help you analyze, solve, and learn from the “Air Rage” passage. We will walk through the entire reading, summarize the key points, compile “high-value” vocabulary, and provide detailed explanations for the answers.
Reading Content: Air Rage
(A) The first recorded case of an airline passenger turning seriously violent during a flight, a phenomenon now widely known as “air rage”, happened in 1947 on a flight from Havana to Miami. A drunk man assaulted another passenger and bit a flight attendant. However, the man escaped punishment because it was not then clear under whose legal control a crime committed on plane was, the country where the plane was registered or the country where the crime was committed. In 1963, at the Tokyo convention, it was decided that the laws of the country where the plane is registered take precedence.
(B) The frequency of air rage has expanded out of proportion to the growth of air travel. Until recently few statistics were gathered about air rage, but those that have been indicated that passengers are increasingly likely to cause trouble or engage in violent acts. For example, in 1998 there were 266 air rage incidents out of approximately four million passengers, a 400% increase from 1995. In the same period, American Airlines showed a 200% rise. Air travel is predicted to rise by 5% internationally by 2010 leading to increased airport congestion. This, coupled with the flying public’s increased aggression, means that air rage may become a major issue in the coming years.
(C) Aside from discomfort and disruption, air rage poses some very real dangers to flying. The most extreme of these is when out-of-control passengers enter the cockpit. This has actually happened on a number of occasions, the worst of which have resulted in the death and injury of pilots or the intruder taking control of the plane, almost resulting in crashes. In addition, berserk passengers sometimes attempt to open the emergency doors while in flight, putting the whole aircraft in danger. These are extreme examples and cases of air rage more commonly result in physical assaults on fellow passengers and crew such as throwing objects, punching, stabbing or scalding with hot coffee.
(D) The causes of air rage are not known for certain, but it is generally thought that factors include: passenger behavior and personality, the physical environment and changes in society. A recent study has identified the issues that start the incidents to be as follows.
(E) One of the major causes seems to be the passenger’s behavior or their personality. Fear of flying and the feeling of powerlessness associated with flying can lead to irritable or aggressive passengers. Also, alcohol consumed on a plane pressurized to 8000ft affects the drinker more quickly and the effects are stronger. Many people do not take account of this and drinking may increase any negative reaction to the flying environment they have, which, combined with the lowering of their inhibitions, may cause air rage. Smoking withdrawal, which some liken in severity to opiate withdrawal, is another major cause of air rage incidents. Passengers caught smoking in the toilets occasionally assault flight attendants and have been known to start fires. When conflicts occur in these conditions, they can escalate into major incidents if the passenger has a violent personality or a fear of flying and because of the enclosed nature of a plane offers no option of retreat as would be natural in a “fight or flight” reaction.
(F) Some people feel that the physical environment of a plane can lead to air rage. Seats on most airlines have become smaller in recent years as airlines try to increase profits. This leads to uncomfortable and irritated passengers. Also, space for carry-on luggage is often very small. Because up to 8% of checked-in luggage is lost, misdirected or stolen, passengers have been trying to fit larger carry-on items into these small storage areas and this can lead to disputes that can escalate into air rage. Airlines could also be to blame by raising passengers’ expectations too high with their marketing and advertising. Many air rage incidents start when disappointed passengers demand to be reseated. Finally, there is some evidence to show that low oxygen levels can raise aggression level and make people feel more desperate. Airlines have lowered oxygen levels to save money. Now the level of oxygen in the air that the pilots breathe is ten times higher than in cabin class.
(G) Another reason that has been suggested is that society is getting ruder and less patient. The increased congestion at airports, longer queues and increased delays have only added to this. In addition, some air rage incidents have been linked to the demanding nature of high-achieving business people, who do not like people telling them what to do and resent the power that the cabin staff have over them. For them, a flight attendant is a waiter or waitress who should do what the passenger wants.
(H) The strongest calls for action to control air rage have come from pilots and aircrew. The International Transport Workers’ Federation argues that there are too many loopholes that let people escape punishment and that the penalties are too light. They want to notify all passengers of the penalties for air rage before taking off, rather than after the passenger begins to cause serious problems, when it may be too late. The Civil Aviation Organisation has been organizing international cooperation and penalties have increased in recent years. The most severe punishment so far has been a 51-month jail sentence, a fine to pay for the jet fuel used and 200 hours community service for a man who attempted to enter the cockpit and to open the emergency door of a domestic US flight.
(I) Various other measures are being used to control air rage. Aircrews are getting training on how to calm passengers and how to predict where incidents might result in air rage and take action to prevent this. Other measures include strengthening doors to stop people entering the cockpit, training crew in the use of plastic restraints to tie down unruly passengers and having pilots divert their planes if passengers cause problems. Banning passengers who are guilty of air rage from flying has also been tried to a lesser extent.
Questions 27 – 34: Matching Headings
The IELTS reading sample passage has nine paragraphs A – I. From the list below choose the most suitable headings for B – I.
Write the appropriate number (i – xiv) beside in boxes 27 – 34 on your answer sheet.
NB There are more headings than paragraphs, so you do not have to use them all.
List of headings
i. The traveler’s character
ii. Disproportionate growth
iii. Pilots and aircrew
iv. Additional action
v. Smaller seats
vi. Uncomfortable aeroplanes
vii. Origins
viii. A major threat
ix. Demands for change
x. Business people
xi. The roots of the problem
xii. The pace of life
xiii. Links to the surroundings
xiv. Personal experience
Example: Paragraph A – Answer: vii
Questions 35 – 40 (TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN)
Do the following statements agree with the information in the reading text?
Write: TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
35. In the first case of air rage, the man was not punished because the plane was not registered.
36. The statistics on air rage were collected by private monitoring groups.
37. The second most common catalyst for incidents is problems with seating.
38. The environment in a plane makes disagreements more likely to become serious problems.
39. Airlines have been encouraging passengers to bring more items onboard as carry-on luggage.
40. It has been impossible to ban passengers with histories of air-rage.
Reading Summary
The “Air Rage” passage discusses the phenomenon of passengers behaving violently on flights.
- Paragraph A: Introduces the first recorded “air rage” case in 1947 and the legal ambiguity at the time.
- Paragraph B: Highlights the disproportionate increase in incidents compared to the growth of the aviation industry.
- Paragraph C: Describes the real dangers posed by “air rage,” from assaulting crew to attempting to enter the cockpit or open emergency exits.
- Paragraphs D, E, F, G: Analyze potential causes of “air rage,” categorized into three main groups: (1) Passenger behavior and personality (fear, intoxication, nicotine withdrawal); (2) The physical environment on the plane (cramped seats, limited carry-on space, low oxygen levels); (3) Societal changes (impatience, demanding behavior of some business travelers).
- Paragraphs H, I: Present measures and calls for action to control “air rage,” such as demands from pilots and crew for stricter penalties, as well as other measures like crew training, reinforcing cockpit doors, and banning passengers with a history of violence.
Key Vocabulary from the “Air Rage” Reading
- Air rage (noun phrase): Violent or aggressive behavior by a passenger on an aircraft.
- Example: “The first recorded case of … a phenomenon now widely known as ‘air rage’, happened in 1947…”
- Assault (v): To attack someone physically.
- Example: “A drunk man assaulted another passenger and bit a flight attendant.”
- Take precedence (idiom): To be given priority or have higher legal authority.
- Example: “…it was decided that the laws of the country where the plane is registered take precedence.”
- Out of proportion to (idiom): Not in balance with; disproportionate to.
- Example: “The frequency of air rage has expanded out of proportion to the growth of air travel.”
- Congestion (n): Overcrowding or blockage.
- Example: “Air travel is predicted to rise … leading to increased airport congestion.”
- Berserk (adj): Out of control; frenzied.
- Example: “In addition, berserk passengers sometimes attempt to open the emergency doors…”
- Escalate (v): To increase in intensity or become more serious.
- Example: “…they can escalate into major incidents if the passenger has a violent personality…”
- Inhibitions (n): Feelings of self-consciousness or restraint that prevent one from acting naturally.
- Example: “…combined with the lowering of their inhibitions, may cause air rage.”
- Withdrawal (n): The process of ceasing to use an addictive substance, often causing physical/mental symptoms.
- Example: “Smoking withdrawal, which some liken in severity to opiate withdrawal, is another major cause…”
- Loopholes (n): Ambiguities or inadequacies in the law that allow people to avoid penalties.
- Example: “…there are too many loopholes that let people escape punishment…”
- Unruly (adj): Difficult to control or manage; disorderly.
- Example: “…training crew in the use of plastic restraints to tie down unruly passengers…”
Useful structure: “This, coupled with…, means that…”
This is an excellent structure for adding supplementary information to a subject, making your writing more formal and academic.
Example: “This, coupled with the flying public’s increased aggression, means that air rage may become a major issue in the coming years.”
Answer Key and Detailed Explanations
- 27. Paragraph B → ii (Disproportionate growth)
Evidence: “The frequency of air rage has expanded out of proportion to the growth of air travel.”
Explanation: The first sentence of paragraph B clearly states that the frequency of “air rage” incidents has increased “out of proportion,” which matches “disproportionate growth.”
- 28. Paragraph C → viii (A major threat)
Evidence: “…air rage poses some very real dangers to flying… putting the whole aircraft in danger.”
Explanation: The paragraph lists the real dangers caused by “air rage,” such as breaking into the cockpit or attempting to open emergency doors. This constitutes a “major threat.”
- 29. Paragraph D → xi (The roots of the problem)
Evidence: “The causes of air rage are not known for certain, but it is generally thought that factors include: passenger behavior and personality, the physical environment and changes in society.”
Explanation: This paragraph provides an overview of the “causes” or “roots of the problem,” including three main factors that are analyzed in subsequent paragraphs.
- 30. Paragraph E → i (The traveler’s character)
Evidence: “…passenger’s behavior or their personality. Fear of flying… alcohol consumed… Smoking withdrawal…”
Explanation: The entire paragraph focuses on analyzing factors related to the behavior, psychology, and personality of the passenger, such as fear, alcohol consumption, and smoking withdrawal. This relates to the “traveler’s character.”
- 31. Paragraph F → vi (Uncomfortable aeroplanes)
Evidence: “Seats on most airlines have become smaller… space for carry-on luggage is often very small… low oxygen levels can raise aggression…”
Explanation: The paragraph describes physical factors on the plane that cause discomfort, such as small seats, cramped luggage compartments, and low oxygen levels. All of these make the airplane “uncomfortable.”
- 32. Paragraph G → xii (The pace of life)
Evidence: “…society is getting ruder and less patient. The increased congestion at airports, longer queues and increased delays have only added to this.”
Explanation: The paragraph mentions that society is becoming “less patient” due to congestion, long queues, and delays. This reflects the “pace of life” and the general attitude of modern society.
- 33. Paragraph H → ix (Demands for change)
Evidence: “The strongest calls for action to control air rage… They want to notify all passengers of the penalties…”
Explanation: The paragraph discusses “calls for action” and the desire for change (e.g., notifying passengers of penalties) from pilots and crew. These are “demands for change.”
- 34. Paragraph I → iv (Additional action)
Evidence: “Various other measures are being used to control air rage… Other measures include strengthening doors…”
Explanation: The paragraph lists “various other measures” being implemented. These are “additional actions.”
Questions 35 – 40: TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN
- 35. → FALSE
Evidence (Paragraph A): “…the man escaped punishment because it was not then clear under whose legal control a crime committed on plane was…”
Explanation: The man was not punished due to legal ambiguity regarding jurisdiction, not because the plane was “not registered.”
- 36. → NOT GIVEN
Evidence: Paragraph B mentions statistics, but it does not specify who or which organization (e.g., private monitoring groups) collected them.
- 37. → TRUE
Although paragraph D does not list the details in the text, it introduces a study. The data from that study is as follows:
- Alcohol: 25%
- Seating: 16%
- Smoking: 10%
- Carry-on luggage: 9%
- Flight attendants: 8%
- Food: 5%
Looking at this list, the most common cause is “Alcohol” (25%). The next most common, or the “second most common,” is “Seating” (16%).
- 38. → TRUE
Evidence (Paragraph E): “…the enclosed nature of a plane offers no option of retreat as would be natural in a “fight or flight” reaction.”
Explanation: The “enclosed nature” of the plane makes it difficult for disagreements to be resolved, as there is no option to retreat, causing them to escalate.
- 39. → NOT GIVEN
Evidence (Paragraph F): “…passengers have been trying to fit larger carry-on items into these small storage areas…”
Explanation: The text states that passengers are trying to bring larger items, but it does not mention whether airlines are “encouraging” this behavior.
- 40. → FALSE
Evidence (Paragraph I): “Banning passengers who are guilty of air rage from flying has also been tried to a lesser extent.”
Explanation: Banning unruly passengers “has been tried,” meaning it is possible and has been done, contradicting the claim that it is “impossible.”
Conclusion
The “Air Rage” reading provides a comprehensive look at a complex social issue, covering causes, consequences, and solutions. For IELTS learners, this is an excellent practice passage for Matching Headings and T/F/NG questions, as it requires the ability to identify main ideas and cross-reference information carefully.
We hope this detailed ECE analysis helps you master reading comprehension and provides useful social knowledge. Good luck with your studies and achieving a high score!
Khai giảng Khóa học Hè cực HOT.
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