Gateway B1 Unit 3 Reading

1. D. ManuelaI didn't start learning English until I was 11 and it was so difficult. There were 30 students in my class and we never said anything in English. The teacher taught us grammar rules and we learned long lists of vocabulary for tests. I didn't understand why I was learning this strange language. The teacher didn't show us English films or magazines and we never played any games. The lessons were boring, so I didn't learn anything. I don't think our teacher was very good!

1 I think it’s important to have fun when you’re learning a new language.

2 My parents are different nationalities.

3 It’s important to have a real reason to learn a language.

4 I didn’t speak much English in my first English lessons at school.

The passage mentions that the lessons were boring and the teacher didn't make the learning experience enjoyable. This suggests that having fun is important when learning a new language.

Explanation

The passage mentions that the lessons were boring and the teacher didn't make the learning experience enjoyable. This suggests that having fun is important when learning a new language.

2. Read the texts about when people started learning English. Match the comments (1–6) with the people (A–D). A. EveI can't remember when I first started learning English because it was – and still is – the language my family speaks at home. You see, my mum is English and she and my dad (who's French) thought it was a good idea for their children to speak English at home and French at school. It worked! My sisters and I speak both languages well, and I can go from one to the other without thinking.

1 I think it’s important to have fun when you’re learning a new language.

2 My parents are different nationalities.

3 It’s important to have a real reason to learn a language.

4 I didn’t speak much English in my first English lessons at school.

The correct answer is 2 because in the text, Eve mentions that her mother is English and her father is French, indicating that her parents are different nationalities.

Explanation

The correct answer is 2 because in the text, Eve mentions that her mother is English and her father is French, indicating that her parents are different nationalities.

3. B. IgorI never learned English at school because our second language was Spanish. I think children today learn English in school here – not like when I was young. I learned English when I worked in London for a year after university. I was so worried about the language! But I found that after a few weeks I knew what people were saying and I could say quite a lot. I think you learn a language best when you really need to, not just for passing exams at school.

1 I think it’s important to have fun when you’re learning a new language.

2 My parents are different nationalities.

3 It’s important to have a real reason to learn a language.

4 I didn’t speak much English in my first English lessons at school.

The correct answer is 3 because the passage suggests that the speaker only learned English when he had a real reason to, which was when he worked in London. This implies that having a real reason or necessity to learn a language is important for effective language learning, rather than just learning it for the sake of passing exams at school.

Explanation

The correct answer is 3 because the passage suggests that the speaker only learned English when he had a real reason to, which was when he worked in London. This implies that having a real reason or necessity to learn a language is important for effective language learning, rather than just learning it for the sake of passing exams at school.

4. C. AlinaMy first English lessons were when I was about seven, at school, but we didn't do very much! I don't remember anything from those lessons. We had one lesson every week and I forgot everything between the lessons. The only lesson that is still in my memory is when we imagined we were different fruits. I was a lemon and I walked around the room saying 'I am a lemon!' I thought it was very silly!

1 I think it’s important to have fun when you’re learning a new language.

2 My parents are different nationalities.

3 It’s important to have a real reason to learn a language.

4 I didn’t speak much English in my first English lessons at school.

The correct answer is 4 because the passage states that the speaker didn't do very much in their first English lessons and doesn't remember anything from those lessons. This implies that they didn't speak much English during those lessons.

Explanation

The correct answer is 4 because the passage states that the speaker didn't do very much in their first English lessons and doesn't remember anything from those lessons. This implies that they didn't speak much English during those lessons.

5. When did Igor start to learn English?

Igor started to learn English after he finished university and started working in London.

Explanation

Igor started to learn English after he finished university and started working in London.

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6. Where does Eve speak French?

The question asks about the location where Eve speaks French, and the answer given is "At school." This implies that Eve speaks French specifically at school, indicating that she may be learning or practicing the language in a school setting.

Explanation

The question asks about the location where Eve speaks French, and the answer given is "At school." This implies that Eve speaks French specifically at school, indicating that she may be learning or practicing the language in a school setting.

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7. What did Manuela learn in English classes at school?

Manuela learned grammar rules and long lists of vocabulary in her English classes at school. This suggests that her English classes focused on teaching the rules of grammar and building a strong vocabulary. This type of learning is essential for developing language skills and understanding how to use English correctly.

Explanation

Manuela learned grammar rules and long lists of vocabulary in her English classes at school. This suggests that her English classes focused on teaching the rules of grammar and building a strong vocabulary. This type of learning is essential for developing language skills and understanding how to use English correctly.

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8. How much does Alina remember from her first English lessons?

The answer is "She doesn't remember anything" because the question asks about how much Alina remembers from her first English lessons, and the given response states that she doesn't remember anything. This implies that Alina has no recollection or knowledge of the content covered in her initial English lessons.

Explanation

The answer is "She doesn't remember anything" because the question asks about how much Alina remembers from her first English lessons, and the given response states that she doesn't remember anything. This implies that Alina has no recollection or knowledge of the content covered in her initial English lessons.

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10. Where are Eve's parents from?

The correct answer states that Eve's mum is from England and her dad is from France. This implies that Eve's parents come from different countries, with her mother being from England and her father being from France.

Explanation

The correct answer states that Eve's mum is from England and her dad is from France. This implies that Eve's parents come from different countries, with her mother being from England and her father being from France.

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