BACKGROUND
Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, is testing unmanned drones to deliver goods to customers, Chief Executive Jeff Bezos says. The drones, called Octocopters, could deliver packages weighing up to 2.3kg to customers within 30 minutes of them placing the order, he said. However, he added that it could take up to five years for the service to start. Read more >>
THE CARTOON
The cartoon by Paul Thomas from the Daily Express shows a drone delivering presents in a huge Christmas stocking to a couple of children. The girl comments to her brother, "Santa delivering presents by drone does rather dull the magic!"
VOCABULARY
To dull something is to make it to become or to make it less intense, bright, or lively. • The endless rain seemed to dull all sound. • Share prices and trading have been dulled by worries over the war.
COMMENT
Amazon's drone delivery project would make a great topic for a lesson. There are already loads of videos on YouTube and plenty of articles available (see below for a selection).
