Richard Branson Balloon Homework

Read the extract then answer the questions below:

This passage is the ending of a biography of Richard Branson, who attempted to break the world record for a long-distance balloon flight.

Here, the writer describes what happened when Richard Branson and his fellow balloonist, Per Lindstrand, began to lose control of the balloon while they were travelling above the sea.

The two men hastily considered their difficult situation. Wind speed was higher than they had expected, and if they carried on in the same direction they could be swept miles off the coast by the time darkness fell. A ground landing was much too unpredictable. Instead, they would try to bring the balloon down now, on a beach if possible, or near one. Lindstrand began bringing it down. They had rehearsed the procedure for such a landing many times in their heads. Lindstrand would push the two red buttons to fire the explosive bolts and release the balloon from the capsule. If the balloon remained attached to the capsule, it would either drag it uncontrollably across the sea or turn the capsule into a submarine, dragging it below the waves with its weight, and almost certainly drowning them. If all went according to plan, however, the balloon would be released, leaving the capsule to float safely on the water until they were collected.

The capsule bounced on the water with a thump, shaking them both. Lindstrand punched frantically at the buttons for the release bolts. “They haven’t worked. Get out, Richard! Get out!” Lindstrand prised open the hatch of the capsule and climbed out onto its roof, Branson close behind him. The capsule was skidding and bouncing along the tops of the waves like a stone, skimmed by a giant hand, the balloon flapping and billowing. Then Lindstrand was shouting “Jump, Richard, for goodness’ sake...jump!” - and then Lindstrand was gone.

Branson pulled himself to the edge of the rail and looked down. The balloon was rising upwards like an express elevator: 75, 100, 200, 500 feet above the water. It was too late to jump now. Looking down onto the grey water he could see no sign of Lindstrand. Branson clambered back through the roof into the capsule, slumped in a seat, and tugged at the handle of the burners to give himself time to think. The balloon was ascending at what seemed to be an astounding rate, into thick cloud. Above him the burners gave off a thin and watery light. Branson realised he was finding it hard to breathe. That meant he had risen further and faster than he thought. He pulled his oxygen mask on and took several deep breaths to calm himself. Think, Richard, think. He would parach

ute out. Branson strapped on his parachute and his liferaft and clambered back onto the roof of the capsule. Was this going to be it? For a fleeting moment, Branson believed he was about to die. He pulled himself back into the capsule, found a pencil and paper and scribbled a note to his family. ‘I love you.’ Then he clambered back out again.

The metal on the capsule roof was freezing cold and damp to the touch. Branson shivered. He felt very, very alone. Peering over the edge he could see only thick mist. It was impossible to tell whether he was over land or water, but he thought that somewhere he could hear the chatter of helicopter rotor blades. He did not want to jump. A feeling of nausea came into his throat. He had to jump. But wait. Supposing he jumped, landed in water, and wasn’t seen. Wouldn’t everybody assume that he and Per were still in the balloon? Nobody would be looking for them in the sea. Per would drown, if he hadn’t drowned already. He would drown too. It made more sense to stay in the balloon; that is what the rescue services would be watching out for. He must bring it down himself, then he could tell them where to look for Per; then they would both be safe. Shivering, Branson pulled himself back inside the capsule. How long had he been up here by himself? Ten minutes? Twenty? It seemed like an hour.

Branson settled himself into his seat. He was breathing evenly now, tugging at the levers which controlled the burners, venting the balloon. Everything according to procedure. The balloon was descending slowly now; the cloud thinning. And then it was clear. Below, riding the waves like a bathtub toy, Branson could see a ship – a Navy ship. And there was a helicopter. And another. Branson took off his parachute and checked his life-vest and pulled himself back onto the capsule roof. The water rushed up towards him. Richard Branson looked into the void. And jumped.

Extract (abridged) from Richard Branson: the inside story by Mick Brown (Michael Joseph, 1988) copyright@Mick Brown, 1988

QUESTION 1

In the whole text, identify and comment on how the writer's use of language:

QUESTION 2

In the whole article, identify and comment on how the writer descrives Branson's changing feelings and the effect this has on the reader.