Reading 7

Read the forum posts. Match texts A–D with questions 1–5. One text matches with two questions.

A Dale – Bread maker

I can’t remember how many times our bread maker has been used since Mum got it at Christmas, but it’s a lot. I was a bit worried because I read in a magazine that bread makers are one of those gadgets that people are often given as presents, but then they never use them. I don’t know why that is because it looks really easy to use. You just put all the ingredients in, press a button, and a couple of hours later you have a fresh loaf of bread. It beeps once when it’s ready! I love waking up to the smell of fresh bread each morning and Mum says she’ll never buy a loaf of bread again, so I think it was a really successful present.

B Karen – Spider catcher

I’m a bit frightened of spiders. I don’t mind the little ones, but I don’t like the huge ones that are as big as your hand. I don’t like killing them though, so when my friend bought me a spider catcher, I was delighted. It’s a long stick with a kind of brush at the end that picks up the spider without hurting it. Then you can put the spider of out the window. I don’t know who it was invented by, but I think it’s a great idea.

C  Jack – Key alarm

People say I’m a bit forgetful and they’re probably right. I often lose my keys, so when I was given a key alarm for my birthday, I was really pleased. It’s a gadget that you attach to your keys. Then, if you don’t know where they are, you can whistle or clap your hands and you’ll hear the alarm. It’s very loud, and it only stops when you find your keys and press a button. It does save a lot of time when I’m leaving the house. Before I had the alarm, it took me five to ten minutes to find my keys. These days all I have to do is whistle and I’m ready to go. The only bad thing about is that the batteries run out quite quickly, so I’m trying to be a bit more careful with my keys in case the alarm’s not working.

D Elliot – Ice lolly maker

I was surprised when Mum bought me an ice lolly maker for my birthday. It seemed like a present for a young child. But then I used it and realised that it was great. You put the ice lolly maker in the freezer. Then, when you want to make a lolly, you just pour fruit juice into the maker. It freezes in about ten minutes, so you don’t have to wait very long to eat the lolly. And you can be really creative. I’ve used different fruit juices and put nuts and yoghurt in, too. It’s perfect for a hot day – really quick and healthy, and great fun however old you are!

Which gadget does the writer say ...

      1   is useful if you have a bad memory?                              ___

  A Dale – Bread maker

I can’t remember how many times our bread maker has been used since Mum got it at Christmas, but it’s a lot. I was a bit worried because I read in a magazine that bread makers are one of those gadgets that people are often given as presents, but then they never use them. I don’t know why that is because it looks really easy to use. You just put all the ingredients in, press a button, and a couple of hours later you have a fresh loaf of bread. It beeps once when it’s ready! I love waking up to the smell of fresh bread each morning and Mum says she’ll never buy a loaf of bread again, so I think it was a really successful present.

B Karen – Spider catcher

I’m a bit frightened of spiders. I don’t mind the little ones, but I don’t like the huge ones that are as big as your hand. I don’t like killing them though, so when my friend bought me a spider catcher, I was delighted. It’s a long stick with a kind of brush at the end that picks up the spider without hurting it. Then you can put the spider of out the window. I don’t know who it was invented by, but I think it’s a great idea.

C Jack – Key alarm

People say I’m a bit forgetful and they’re probably right. I often lose my keys, so when I was given a key alarm for my birthday, I was really pleased. It’s a gadget that you attach to your keys. Then, if you don’t know where they are, you can whistle or clap your hands and you’ll hear the alarm. It’s very loud, and it only stops when you find your keys and press a button. It does save a lot of time when I’m leaving the house. Before I had the alarm, it took me five to ten minutes to find my keys. These days all I have to do is whistle and I’m ready to go. The only bad thing about is that the batteries run out quite quickly, so I’m trying to be a bit more careful with my keys in case the alarm’s not working.

D Elliot – Ice lolly maker

I was surprised when Mum bought me an ice lolly maker for my birthday. It seemed like a present for a young child. But then I used it and realised that it was great. You put the ice lolly maker in the freezer. Then, when you want to make a lolly, you just pour fruit juice into the maker. It freezes in about ten minutes, so you don’t have to wait very long to eat the lolly. And you can be really creative. I’ve used different fruit juices and put nuts and yoghurt in, too. It’s perfect for a hot day – really quick and healthy, and great fun however old you are!

Which gadget does the writer say ...

  2 is something that is used every day?                             

 A Dale – Bread maker

I can’t remember how many times our bread maker has been used since Mum got it at Christmas, but it’s a lot. I was a bit worried because I read in a magazine that bread makers are one of those gadgets that people are often given as presents, but then they never use them. I don’t know why that is because it looks really easy to use. You just put all the ingredients in, press a button, and a couple of hours later you have a fresh loaf of bread. It beeps once when it’s ready! I love waking up to the smell of fresh bread each morning and Mum says she’ll never buy a loaf of bread again, so I think it was a really successful present.

B Karen – Spider catcher

I’m a bit frightened of spiders. I don’t mind the little ones, but I don’t like the huge ones that are as big as your hand. I don’t like killing them though, so when my friend bought me a spider catcher, I was delighted. It’s a long stick with a kind of brush at the end that picks up the spider without hurting it. Then you can put the spider of out the window. I don’t know who it was invented by, but I think it’s a great idea.

C Jack – Key alarm

People say I’m a bit forgetful and they’re probably right. I often lose my keys, so when I was given a key alarm for my birthday, I was really pleased. It’s a gadget that you attach to your keys. Then, if you don’t know where they are, you can whistle or clap your hands and you’ll hear the alarm. It’s very loud, and it only stops when you find your keys and press a button. It does save a lot of time when I’m leaving the house. Before I had the alarm, it took me five to ten minutes to find my keys. These days all I have to do is whistle and I’m ready to go. The only bad thing about is that the batteries run out quite quickly, so I’m trying to be a bit more careful with my keys in case the alarm’s not working.

D Elliot – Ice lolly maker

I was surprised when Mum bought me an ice lolly maker for my birthday. It seemed like a present for a young child. But then I used it and realised that it was great. You put the ice lolly maker in the freezer. Then, when you want to make a lolly, you just pour fruit juice into the maker. It freezes in about ten minutes, so you don’t have to wait very long to eat the lolly. And you can be really creative. I’ve used different fruit juices and put nuts and yoghurt in, too. It’s perfect for a hot day – really quick and healthy, and great fun however old you are!

Which gadget does the writer say ...

3   is popular with adults and children?      

A Dale – Bread maker

I can’t remember how many times our bread maker has been used since Mum got it at Christmas, but it’s a lot. I was a bit worried because I read in a magazine that bread makers are one of those gadgets that people are often given as presents, but then they never use them. I don’t know why that is because it looks really easy to use. You just put all the ingredients in, press a button, and a couple of hours later you have a fresh loaf of bread. It beeps once when it’s ready! I love waking up to the smell of fresh bread each morning and Mum says she’ll never buy a loaf of bread again, so I think it was a really successful present.

B Karen – Spider catcher

I’m a bit frightened of spiders. I don’t mind the little ones, but I don’t like the huge ones that are as big as your hand. I don’t like killing them though, so when my friend bought me a spider catcher, I was delighted. It’s a long stick with a kind of brush at the end that picks up the spider without hurting it. Then you can put the spider of out the window. I don’t know who it was invented by, but I think it’s a great idea.

C Jack – Key alarm

People say I’m a bit forgetful and they’re probably right. I often lose my keys, so when I was given a key alarm for my birthday, I was really pleased. It’s a gadget that you attach to your keys. Then, if you don’t know where they are, you can whistle or clap your hands and you’ll hear the alarm. It’s very loud, and it only stops when you find your keys and press a button. It does save a lot of time when I’m leaving the house. Before I had the alarm, it took me five to ten minutes to find my keys. These days all I have to do is whistle and I’m ready to go. The only bad thing about is that the batteries run out quite quickly, so I’m trying to be a bit more careful with my keys in case the alarm’s not working.

D Elliot – Ice lolly maker

I was surprised when Mum bought me an ice lolly maker for my birthday. It seemed like a present for a young child. But then I used it and realised that it was great. You put the ice lolly maker in the freezer. Then, when you want to make a lolly, you just pour fruit juice into the maker. It freezes in about ten minutes, so you don’t have to wait very long to eat the lolly. And you can be really creative. I’ve used different fruit juices and put nuts and yoghurt in, too. It’s perfect for a hot day – really quick and healthy, and great fun however old you are!

Which gadget does the writer say ...

 4   was invented to get rid of something?      

 A Dale – Bread maker

I can’t remember how many times our bread maker has been used since Mum got it at Christmas, but it’s a lot. I was a bit worried because I read in a magazine that bread makers are one of those gadgets that people are often given as presents, but then they never use them. I don’t know why that is because it looks really easy to use. You just put all the ingredients in, press a button, and a couple of hours later you have a fresh loaf of bread. It beeps once when it’s ready! I love waking up to the smell of fresh bread each morning and Mum says she’ll never buy a loaf of bread again, so I think it was a really successful present.

B Karen – Spider catcher

I’m a bit frightened of spiders. I don’t mind the little ones, but I don’t like the huge ones that are as big as your hand. I don’t like killing them though, so when my friend bought me a spider catcher, I was delighted. It’s a long stick with a kind of brush at the end that picks up the spider without hurting it. Then you can put the spider of out the window. I don’t know who it was invented by, but I think it’s a great idea.

C Jack – Key alarm

People say I’m a bit forgetful and they’re probably right. I often lose my keys, so when I was given a key alarm for my birthday, I was really pleased. It’s a gadget that you attach to your keys. Then, if you don’t know where they are, you can whistle or clap your hands and you’ll hear the alarm. It’s very loud, and it only stops when you find your keys and press a button. It does save a lot of time when I’m leaving the house. Before I had the alarm, it took me five to ten minutes to find my keys. These days all I have to do is whistle and I’m ready to go. The only bad thing about is that the batteries run out quite quickly, so I’m trying to be a bit more careful with my keys in case the alarm’s not working.

D Elliot – Ice lolly maker

I was surprised when Mum bought me an ice lolly maker for my birthday. It seemed like a present for a young child. But then I used it and realised that it was great. You put the ice lolly maker in the freezer. Then, when you want to make a lolly, you just pour fruit juice into the maker. It freezes in about ten minutes, so you don’t have to wait very long to eat the lolly. And you can be really creative. I’ve used different fruit juices and put nuts and yoghurt in, too. It’s perfect for a hot day – really quick and healthy, and great fun however old you are!

Which gadget does the writer say ...

5   is activated by sound?   

Choose the correct answers.

The umbrella

Evidence of ancient umbrellas ¹___ in Egypt, Greece and China and from this, we know that the umbrella ²___ over four thousand years ago. However, the first umbrella ³___ in the rain, but in the sun.

The Chinese were the first people to make umbrellas waterproof and it is this kind of umbrella that ⁴___ by millions of people around the world today.

The design for the umbrella ⁵___ much in thousands of years. So ⁶___ replaced by something more modern in the future? A Chinese inventor called Chuan Wang hopes it will. He has invented a new type of umbrella. With this one, air ⁷___ instead of nylon to keep the rain off your head. However, at the moment, the battery only lasts for a short time so your traditional umbrella ⁸___ just yet! 

1.

The umbrella

Evidence of ancient umbrellas 1___ in Egypt, Greece and China and from this, we know that the umbrella 2___ over four thousand years ago. However, the first umbrella 3___ in the rain, but in the sun.

The Chinese were the first people to make umbrellas waterproof and it is this kind of umbrella that 4___ by millions of people around the world today.

The design for the umbrella 5___ much in thousands of years. So 6___ replaced by something more modern in the future? A Chinese inventor called Chuan Wang hopes it will. He has invented a new type of umbrella. With this one, air 7___ instead of nylon to keep the rain off your head. However, at the moment, the battery only lasts for a short time so your traditional umbrella 8___ just yet! 

2.

The umbrella

Evidence of ancient umbrellas 1___ in Egypt, Greece and China and from this, we know that the umbrella 2___ over four thousand years ago. However, the first umbrella 3___ in the rain, but in the sun.

The Chinese were the first people to make umbrellas waterproof and it is this kind of umbrella that 4___ by millions of people around the world today.

The design for the umbrella 5___ much in thousands of years. So 6___ replaced by something more modern in the future? A Chinese inventor called Chuan Wang hopes it will. He has invented a new type of umbrella. With this one, air 7___ instead of nylon to keep the rain off your head. However, at the moment, the battery only lasts for a short time so your traditional umbrella 8___ just yet! 

3.

The umbrella

Evidence of ancient umbrellas 1___ in Egypt, Greece and China and from this, we know that the umbrella 2___ over four thousand years ago. However, the first umbrella 3___ in the rain, but in the sun.

The Chinese were the first people to make umbrellas waterproof and it is this kind of umbrella that 4___ by millions of people around the world today.

The design for the umbrella 5___ much in thousands of years. So 6___ replaced by something more modern in the future? A Chinese inventor called Chuan Wang hopes it will. He has invented a new type of umbrella. With this one, air 7___ instead of nylon to keep the rain off your head. However, at the moment, the battery only lasts for a short time so your traditional umbrella 8___ just yet! 

4.

The umbrella

Evidence of ancient umbrellas 1___ in Egypt, Greece and China and from this, we know that the umbrella 2___ over four thousand years ago. However, the first umbrella 3___ in the rain, but in the sun.

The Chinese were the first people to make umbrellas waterproof and it is this kind of umbrella that 4___ by millions of people around the world today.

The design for the umbrella 5___ much in thousands of years. So 6___ replaced by something more modern in the future? A Chinese inventor called Chuan Wang hopes it will. He has invented a new type of umbrella. With this one, air 7___ instead of nylon to keep the rain off your head. However, at the moment, the battery only lasts for a short time so your traditional umbrella 8___ just yet! 

5.

The umbrella

Evidence of ancient umbrellas 1___ in Egypt, Greece and China and from this, we know that the umbrella 2___ over four thousand years ago. However, the first umbrella 3___ in the rain, but in the sun.

The Chinese were the first people to make umbrellas waterproof and it is this kind of umbrella that 4___ by millions of people around the world today.

The design for the umbrella 5___ much in thousands of years. So 6___ replaced by something more modern in the future? A Chinese inventor called Chuan Wang hopes it will. He has invented a new type of umbrella. With this one, air 7___ instead of nylon to keep the rain off your head. However, at the moment, the battery only lasts for a short time so your traditional umbrella 8___ just yet! 

6.

The umbrella

Evidence of ancient umbrellas 1___ in Egypt, Greece and China and from this, we know that the umbrella 2___ over four thousand years ago. However, the first umbrella 3___ in the rain, but in the sun.

The Chinese were the first people to make umbrellas waterproof and it is this kind of umbrella that 4___ by millions of people around the world today.

The design for the umbrella 5___ much in thousands of years. So 6___ replaced by something more modern in the future? A Chinese inventor called Chuan Wang hopes it will. He has invented a new type of umbrella. With this one, air 7___ instead of nylon to keep the rain off your head. However, at the moment, the battery only lasts for a short time so your traditional umbrella 8___ just yet! 

7.

The umbrella

Evidence of ancient umbrellas 1___ in Egypt, Greece and China and from this, we know that the umbrella 2___ over four thousand years ago. However, the first umbrella 3___ in the rain, but in the sun.

The Chinese were the first people to make umbrellas waterproof and it is this kind of umbrella that 4___ by millions of people around the world today.

The design for the umbrella 5___ much in thousands of years. So 6___ replaced by something more modern in the future? A Chinese inventor called Chuan Wang hopes it will. He has invented a new type of umbrella. With this one, air 7___ instead of nylon to keep the rain off your head. However, at the moment, the battery only lasts for a short time so your traditional umbrella 8___ just yet! 

8.