Solutions Pre-intermediate Unit 9 Test Reading

1. 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. Which gadget does the writer say ...

Is useful if you have a bad memory?

Is something that is used every day?

Is popular with adults and children?

Was invented to get rid of something?

Is activated by sound?

The writer says that the spider catcher is useful if you have a bad memory. This implies that the spider catcher helps in remembering to catch and release spiders instead of killing them, which the writer prefers.

Explanation

The writer says that the spider catcher is useful if you have a bad memory. This implies that the spider catcher helps in remembering to catch and release spiders instead of killing them, which the writer prefers.

2. 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 ...

Is useful if you have a bad memory?

Is something that is used every day?

Is popular with adults and children?

Was invented to get rid of something?

Is activated by sound?

The writer says that the ice lolly maker is something that is used every day because it is quick, healthy, and fun to use, making it a perfect gadget for a hot day.

Explanation

The writer says that the ice lolly maker is something that is used every day because it is quick, healthy, and fun to use, making it a perfect gadget for a hot day.

3. 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. Which gadget does the writer say ...

Is useful if you have a bad memory?

Is something that is used every day?

Is popular with adults and children?

Was invented to get rid of something?

Is activated by sound?

The writer says that the key alarm was invented to get rid of the problem of losing keys.

Explanation

The writer says that the key alarm was invented to get rid of the problem of losing keys.

4. Read the forum posts. Match texts A–D with questions 1–5. One text matches with two questions. A Dale - Breadmaker I can't remember how many times our breadmaker 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 breadmakers 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. Which gadget does the writer say ...

Is useful if you have a bad memory?

Is something that is used every day?

Is popular with adults and children?

Was invented to get rid of something?

Is activated by sound?

The writer says that the breadmaker is popular with adults and children because they mention that the breadmaker has been used a lot since they got it and that they love waking up to the smell of fresh bread each morning. This implies that both the writer and their family members, including the children, enjoy using the breadmaker.

Explanation

The writer says that the breadmaker is popular with adults and children because they mention that the breadmaker has been used a lot since they got it and that they love waking up to the smell of fresh bread each morning. This implies that both the writer and their family members, including the children, enjoy using the breadmaker.

5. Read the texts again and match one more write to one of the questions.

Is useful if you have a bad memory?

Is something that is used every day?

Is popular with adults and children?

Was invented to get rid of something?

Is activated by sound?

Based on the given options, the correct answer "is popular with adults and children" can be inferred from the context. The question is asking for something that fits the description of being popular with both adults and children. The other options do not necessarily imply popularity among both age groups.

Explanation

Based on the given options, the correct answer "is popular with adults and children" can be inferred from the context. The question is asking for something that fits the description of being popular with both adults and children. The other options do not necessarily imply popularity among both age groups.