Gateway B1 Unit 8 Test Standard Reading

1. Why is this saying so popular? I think it's because for many people, friends are as important as family. We often prefer to spend our time with our friends.____________ Friendship hasn't changed a lot over time. Thousands of years ago, the Ancient Greeks thought that there were different types of friends.

Sometimes we even celebrate special occasions like birthdays with them instead of our families.

When families started to live in different cities and even countries, friends became more important.

I hadn’t heard people say that before, but it’s a very common phrase.

The last type was the ‘soul mate’.

If you want to learn a language, you can find people in different countries to practise with.

Nowadays, we have bigger circles of friends but they are the same types that the Ancient Greeks talked about.

The saying is popular because for many people, friends hold the same level of importance as family. This is evident in the fact that sometimes people choose to celebrate special occasions like birthdays with their friends instead of their families. This suggests that the bond and connection with friends can be just as strong and meaningful as that with family members.

Explanation

The saying is popular because for many people, friends hold the same level of importance as family. This is evident in the fact that sometimes people choose to celebrate special occasions like birthdays with their friends instead of their families. This suggests that the bond and connection with friends can be just as strong and meaningful as that with family members.

2. According to the article, why do some young people use the Internet?

To make new friends

To talk to their families

To find out about old friends

The article states that some young people use the Internet to make new friends. This suggests that they are looking for social connections and relationships online, possibly due to factors such as limited social opportunities in their immediate environment or a desire to expand their social circle. Making new friends through the Internet allows them to connect with people who share similar interests or experiences, providing them with a sense of belonging and companionship.

Explanation

The article states that some young people use the Internet to make new friends. This suggests that they are looking for social connections and relationships online, possibly due to factors such as limited social opportunities in their immediate environment or a desire to expand their social circle. Making new friends through the Internet allows them to connect with people who share similar interests or experiences, providing them with a sense of belonging and companionship.

3. How many types of friends did the Ancient Greeks mention?

Two

Three

Four

The Ancient Greeks mentioned three types of friends.

Explanation

The Ancient Greeks mentioned three types of friends.

4. What can be the problem with friends who we have fun with?

We don’t have much in common with them.

They aren’t always reliable.

They never help us.

The problem with friends who we have fun with might be that they aren't always reliable. While we may enjoy spending time and having fun with these friends, their lack of reliability can cause frustration and disappointment. This could manifest in various ways, such as canceling plans last minute, not following through on promises, or being unreliable in times of need. It is important to have friends who can be counted on and trusted, and the lack of reliability can strain the friendship.

Explanation

The problem with friends who we have fun with might be that they aren't always reliable. While we may enjoy spending time and having fun with these friends, their lack of reliability can cause frustration and disappointment. This could manifest in various ways, such as canceling plans last minute, not following through on promises, or being unreliable in times of need. It is important to have friends who can be counted on and trusted, and the lack of reliability can strain the friendship.

5. _____________We have friends who can help us with our homework. We have other friends who share the same interests as us and we have a good time with them. And we also have 'soul mates', who are often people we've grown up with. The difference is that our friendships change much faster.

Sometimes we even celebrate special occasions like birthdays with them instead of our families.

When families started to live in different cities and even countries, friends became more important.

I hadn’t heard people say that before, but it’s a very common phrase.

The last type was the ‘soul mate’.

If you want to learn a language, you can find people in different countries to practise with.

Nowadays, we have bigger circles of friends but they are the same types that the Ancient Greeks talked about.

The given answer states that nowadays, we have bigger circles of friends but they are the same types that the Ancient Greeks talked about. This is supported by the information provided in the passage, which mentions different types of friends such as those who help with homework, those who share the same interests, and soul mates. The passage also mentions that friendships change faster compared to family relationships and that friends have become more important as families live in different cities and countries. Therefore, the answer accurately summarizes the information provided in the passage.

Explanation

The given answer states that nowadays, we have bigger circles of friends but they are the same types that the Ancient Greeks talked about. This is supported by the information provided in the passage, which mentions different types of friends such as those who help with homework, those who share the same interests, and soul mates. The passage also mentions that friendships change faster compared to family relationships and that friends have become more important as families live in different cities and countries. Therefore, the answer accurately summarizes the information provided in the passage.

6. In the past our families were the most important people in our lives but that changed. ____________ We might also have to move away from our close friends.

Sometimes we even celebrate special occasions like birthdays with them instead of our families.

When families started to live in different cities and even countries, friends became more important.

I hadn’t heard people say that before, but it’s a very common phrase.

The last type was the ‘soul mate’.

If you want to learn a language, you can find people in different countries to practise with.

Nowadays, we have bigger circles of friends but they are the same types that the Ancient Greeks talked about.

The explanation for the given correct answer is that as families started to live in different cities and countries, the physical distance between family members increased. This made it more difficult to maintain close relationships with family members on a regular basis. In contrast, friends who were living in the same city or nearby became more accessible and available for social interactions. Therefore, friends became more important in filling the emotional and social needs that were previously fulfilled by family members.

Explanation

The explanation for the given correct answer is that as families started to live in different cities and countries, the physical distance between family members increased. This made it more difficult to maintain close relationships with family members on a regular basis. In contrast, friends who were living in the same city or nearby became more accessible and available for social interactions. Therefore, friends became more important in filling the emotional and social needs that were previously fulfilled by family members.

7. Why are families less important to us now?

They are bigger than in the past.

We don’t like spending time with them.

We often live in different places to them.

The correct answer is "We often live in different places to them." This is because in today's society, it is common for family members to live far apart due to various reasons such as job opportunities, education, or personal preferences. This physical distance can make it more challenging to maintain close relationships and spend quality time with family members, leading to a perception of decreased importance.

Explanation

The correct answer is "We often live in different places to them." This is because in today's society, it is common for family members to live far apart due to various reasons such as job opportunities, education, or personal preferences. This physical distance can make it more challenging to maintain close relationships and spend quality time with family members, leading to a perception of decreased importance.

8. Then we have to find new ones and lots of younger people are starting to use the Internet for that. There are websites where you can find someone who likes doing the same things as you. For example, if you like running, you can find a friend who will go running with you. ___________ Changes in the way we live and the invention of modern technologies really do mean that friends are the family we choose ourselves.

Sometimes we even celebrate special occasions like birthdays with them instead of our families.

When families started to live in different cities and even countries, friends became more important.

I hadn’t heard people say that before, but it’s a very common phrase.

The last type was the ‘soul mate’.

If you want to learn a language, you can find people in different countries to practise with.

Nowadays, we have bigger circles of friends but they are the same types that the Ancient Greeks talked about.

The given correct answer explains that one of the changes brought about by modern technologies is the ability to find people in different countries to practice a language with. This suggests that the internet has made it easier for individuals to connect with others who have similar interests or goals, such as learning a language. This supports the idea that friends have become more important in today's society, as people are able to form connections and engage in activities with like-minded individuals, even if they are physically distant.

Explanation

The given correct answer explains that one of the changes brought about by modern technologies is the ability to find people in different countries to practice a language with. This suggests that the internet has made it easier for individuals to connect with others who have similar interests or goals, such as learning a language. This supports the idea that friends have become more important in today's society, as people are able to form connections and engage in activities with like-minded individuals, even if they are physically distant.

9. Read the article again and choose the best answers, A, B or C.
What does the writer say about friends in the first paragraph?

Friends are more important than family.

His sister isn’t a good friend.

Friends are very important for a lot of people.

The writer states in the first paragraph that friends are very important for a lot of people. This implies that the writer recognizes the significance of friends in people's lives, suggesting that they play a crucial role in providing support, companionship, and emotional well-being. The statement does not mention anything about friends being more important than family or the writer's sister not being a good friend.

Explanation

The writer states in the first paragraph that friends are very important for a lot of people. This implies that the writer recognizes the significance of friends in people's lives, suggesting that they play a crucial role in providing support, companionship, and emotional well-being. The statement does not mention anything about friends being more important than family or the writer's sister not being a good friend.

10. How have friendships changed since ancient times?

We don’t have as many friends.

We have different types of friends.

We have more friends.

The given answer suggests that friendships have changed since ancient times by stating that "we have more friends." This implies that in modern times, people tend to have a larger number of friends compared to ancient times. This could be due to various factors such as advancements in technology, which have made it easier to connect and maintain relationships with a larger number of people. Additionally, changes in societal norms and lifestyles may have led to increased socialization and the formation of more friendships.

Explanation

The given answer suggests that friendships have changed since ancient times by stating that "we have more friends." This implies that in modern times, people tend to have a larger number of friends compared to ancient times. This could be due to various factors such as advancements in technology, which have made it easier to connect and maintain relationships with a larger number of people. Additionally, changes in societal norms and lifestyles may have led to increased socialization and the formation of more friendships.

11. Read the article about friendship. Six sentences are missing from the article. Choose from the sentences A–F the one which fits each gap.The family you choose yourselfRecently, I heard my sister say, 'Friends are the family you choose yourself.' __________ Since she said it, I've seen it written on T-shirts, notebooks and pencil cases.

Sometimes we even celebrate special occasions like birthdays with them instead of our families.

When families started to live in different cities and even countries, friends became more important.

I hadn’t heard people say that before, but it’s a very common phrase.

The last type was the ‘soul mate’.

If you want to learn a language, you can find people in different countries to practise with.

Nowadays, we have bigger circles of friends but they are the same types that the Ancient Greeks talked about.

The given sentence fits into the article because it explains the speaker's reaction to hearing the phrase "Friends are the family you choose yourself" for the first time. The sentence suggests that although the speaker hadn't heard people say that before, it is now a very common phrase. This statement adds to the idea that friends have become increasingly important in modern times and highlights the relevance of the phrase in today's society.

Explanation

The given sentence fits into the article because it explains the speaker's reaction to hearing the phrase "Friends are the family you choose yourself" for the first time. The sentence suggests that although the speaker hadn't heard people say that before, it is now a very common phrase. This statement adds to the idea that friends have become increasingly important in modern times and highlights the relevance of the phrase in today's society.

12. Friendship hasn't changed a lot over time. Thousands of years ago, the Ancient Greeks thought that there were different types of friends. One was friends that are reliable and who will always help us. Another type was the friends who we have fun with – they might not be very reliable but we have a good time with them.____________ This is a special friend who we have a lot in common with and feel close to and who will probably be a friend for life.

Sometimes we even celebrate special occasions like birthdays with them instead of our families.

When families started to live in different cities and even countries, friends became more important.

I hadn’t heard people say that before, but it’s a very common phrase.

The last type was the ‘soul mate’.

If you want to learn a language, you can find people in different countries to practise with.

Nowadays, we have bigger circles of friends but they are the same types that the Ancient Greeks talked about.

The Ancient Greeks believed in different types of friendships, one of which was the 'soul mate'. This type of friend is someone who shares a deep connection with us, has a lot in common, and is likely to be a lifelong friend. They are special friends who we feel close to and may even celebrate special occasions with instead of our families. The concept of the 'soul mate' friendship still exists today, where we seek out individuals who we connect with on a deeper level and who become important parts of our lives.

Explanation

The Ancient Greeks believed in different types of friendships, one of which was the 'soul mate'. This type of friend is someone who shares a deep connection with us, has a lot in common, and is likely to be a lifelong friend. They are special friends who we feel close to and may even celebrate special occasions with instead of our families. The concept of the 'soul mate' friendship still exists today, where we seek out individuals who we connect with on a deeper level and who become important parts of our lives.