Gateway B1 Unit 8 : Standard Reading Test! Quiz

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 many people consider their friends to be as important as their family. They often choose to spend their time with friends and even celebrate special occasions like birthdays with them instead of their families. This indicates that friendship holds a significant place in people's lives and has become more important as families have become more dispersed. The popularity of this saying suggests that the importance of friendship has remained constant over time, as even the Ancient Greeks recognized different types of friends.

Explanation

The saying is popular because many people consider their friends to be as important as their family. They often choose to spend their time with friends and even celebrate special occasions like birthdays with them instead of their families. This indicates that friendship holds a significant place in people's lives and has become more important as families have become more dispersed. The popularity of this saying suggests that the importance of friendship has remained constant over time, as even the Ancient Greeks recognized different types of friends.

2. 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.

3. 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

Some young people use the Internet to make new friends because it provides them with a platform to connect with people from different backgrounds and interests. Online platforms such as social media and chat rooms allow them to meet and interact with individuals who share similar hobbies or have common interests. Additionally, the Internet provides a sense of anonymity, which can make it easier for young people to reach out and form new friendships without the fear of judgment or rejection.

Explanation

Some young people use the Internet to make new friends because it provides them with a platform to connect with people from different backgrounds and interests. Online platforms such as social media and chat rooms allow them to meet and interact with individuals who share similar hobbies or have common interests. Additionally, the Internet provides a sense of anonymity, which can make it easier for young people to reach out and form new friendships without the fear of judgment or rejection.

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 is that they aren't always reliable. While we may enjoy spending time with them and have fun, they may not be dependable when we need their support or assistance. This lack of reliability can strain the friendship and make it difficult to count on them in times of need.

Explanation

The problem with friends who we have fun with is that they aren't always reliable. While we may enjoy spending time with them and have fun, they may not be dependable when we need their support or assistance. This lack of reliability can strain the friendship and make it difficult to count on them in times of need.

5. 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 led to a decrease in the amount of time spent together and a decrease in the importance placed on family relationships. In contrast, friends became more important as they were often located in the same city or could be easily reached through technology. Friends became the primary source of companionship and support, and special occasions like birthdays were often celebrated with them instead of 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 led to a decrease in the amount of time spent together and a decrease in the importance placed on family relationships. In contrast, friends became more important as they were often located in the same city or could be easily reached through technology. Friends became the primary source of companionship and support, and special occasions like birthdays were often celebrated with them instead of family members.

6. _____________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 explanation for the given correct answer is that even though our friendships have evolved and changed over time, the basic types of friendships that the Ancient Greeks talked about still exist today. We still have friends who help us with our tasks, friends who share common interests and have a good time with us, and friends who we have a deep connection with and have known for a long time. The only difference is that now we have bigger circles of friends due to advancements in communication and technology.

Explanation

The explanation for the given correct answer is that even though our friendships have evolved and changed over time, the basic types of friendships that the Ancient Greeks talked about still exist today. We still have friends who help us with our tasks, friends who share common interests and have a good time with us, and friends who we have a deep connection with and have known for a long time. The only difference is that now we have bigger circles of friends due to advancements in communication and technology.

7. 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 with the invention of modern technologies and changes in the way we live, it is now possible to find people in different countries to practice a language with. This suggests that the internet has made it easier to connect with others who have similar interests and goals, such as learning a new language. This supports the idea that friends have become more important in our lives, as they can help us in various aspects and activities, even replacing family members in some situations.

Explanation

The given correct answer explains that with the invention of modern technologies and changes in the way we live, it is now possible to find people in different countries to practice a language with. This suggests that the internet has made it easier to connect with others who have similar interests and goals, such as learning a new language. This supports the idea that friends have become more important in our lives, as they can help us in various aspects and activities, even replacing family members in some situations.

8. How have friendships changed since ancient times?

We don’t have as many friends.

We have different types of friends.

We have more friends.

Since ancient times, friendships have changed in terms of quantity. In the past, people had fewer friends due to limited social interactions and smaller social circles. However, with the advancement of technology and globalization, individuals now have the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world. This has led to an increase in the number of friends one can have, as social media platforms and online communities allow for easier and more frequent connections. Therefore, the correct answer is "We have more friends."

Explanation

Since ancient times, friendships have changed in terms of quantity. In the past, people had fewer friends due to limited social interactions and smaller social circles. However, with the advancement of technology and globalization, individuals now have the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world. This has led to an increase in the number of friends one can have, as social media platforms and online communities allow for easier and more frequent connections. Therefore, the correct answer is "We have more friends."

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.

Explanation

The writer states in the first paragraph that friends are very important for a lot of people.

10. 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.

Families are considered less important to us now because we often live in different places from them. In the past, families used to live in close proximity to each other, allowing for regular interactions and support. However, due to various factors such as job opportunities, education, and personal preferences, family members now tend to live in different cities or even countries. This physical distance makes it difficult to maintain strong bonds and regular contact, leading to the perception that families are less important in our lives.

Explanation

Families are considered less important to us now because we often live in different places from them. In the past, families used to live in close proximity to each other, allowing for regular interactions and support. However, due to various factors such as job opportunities, education, and personal preferences, family members now tend to live in different cities or even countries. This physical distance makes it difficult to maintain strong bonds and regular contact, leading to the perception that families are less important in our lives.

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 yourself Recently, 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.

This sentence fits in the gap because it provides a response to the statement made by the sister about friends being the family you choose. The sentence acknowledges that the phrase is common, indicating that the speaker had not heard it before but recognizes its popularity.

Explanation

This sentence fits in the gap because it provides a response to the statement made by the sister about friends being the family you choose. The sentence acknowledges that the phrase is common, indicating that the speaker had not heard it before but recognizes its popularity.

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 we have a lot in common with, feel close to, and will likely be a friend for life. They are special friends with whom we share a deep connection and may even celebrate special occasions like birthdays with instead of our families. This type of friendship has remained relevant throughout history and is still recognized today.

Explanation

The Ancient Greeks believed in different types of friendships, one of which was the 'soul mate'. This type of friend is someone who we have a lot in common with, feel close to, and will likely be a friend for life. They are special friends with whom we share a deep connection and may even celebrate special occasions like birthdays with instead of our families. This type of friendship has remained relevant throughout history and is still recognized today.