Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Tech & Gadget Shopping

Exercises:   12345

Reading 1

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a basic mobile phone for an elderly user.

There are descriptions of eight mobile phones.

Decide which mobile phone would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   George wants a mobile phone that is simple to operate without complicated menus. He loves receiving pictures of his grandchildren and needs plenty of memory to save them. He has a maximum budget of £150.

2   Margaret is looking for a phone with a very loud ringtone because she has hearing difficulties. She often forgets to charge her device, so a long-lasting battery is essential. She also wants to look at news websites.

3   Arthur prefers a traditional phone with large physical buttons rather than a screen to touch. He wants a lightweight device that fits easily into his shirt pocket. He also needs to make calls using voice commands.

4   Dorothy wants a smartphone so she can make video calls to her family abroad. She finds small cables difficult to plug in, so she requires a convenient desktop charging cradle. She cannot spend more than £100.

5   Fred wants a phone with a dedicated help button on the back for emergencies. He prefers a basic touchscreen interface that is clear to see. He also enjoys taking sharp, clear pictures of his garden plants.

Mobile Phones for Seniors

A The ButtonLite

This ultra-slim device is incredibly small and weighs almost nothing, so it never feels heavy. It comes with raised physical keys that click clearly when pressed. Users can also dial contacts completely hands-free simply by speaking aloud into the microphone, making everyday calling effortless.

B The ClearCall 200

This straightforward mobile phone is designed with an uncomplicated interface, making it absolutely perfect for anyone who dislikes technology. It features an incredibly large internal memory, letting you save thousands of precious family images securely. Best of all, this reliable device is highly affordable at just £120.

C The ConnectPro

A brilliant modern phone featuring a wide screen that is ideal for face-to-face video chats over the internet. It comes at a highly reasonable price of only £85, making it a great bargain. Please note that it can only be recharged using a traditional micro-USB cable.

D The SafeTouch

Safety comes first with a bright red assistance key on the reverse side to call for immediate aid. The bright, clear display reacts instantly to your fingers without confusing menus. It also boasts a premium high-resolution camera, allowing you to capture stunning, professional-looking photographs easily.

E The SecureTalk

This advanced phone is built with a powerful assistance switch on the back for any dangerous situation. It includes a massive battery that lasts for several days without a charge, which is highly convenient. It features a noisy speaker but has no touchscreen or camera options available.

F The SmartButton

This device features massive physical buttons and an uncomplicated menu system that is highly intuitive for beginners. It has excellent internal storage capacity for keeping all your downloaded media files. However, because of its premium metal design, it comes with a high price tag of £180.

G The ToneMax Pro

Never miss an important conversation with this phone’s powerful internal speakers, which are excellent for users with poor hearing. The advanced battery can stay active for up to two weeks without needing a plug. It also includes an easy-to-use web browser for checking your favorite online newspapers daily.

H The ViewPlus

Equipped with a wide front camera, this smartphone makes chatting face-to-face with distant relatives online a wonderful experience. Instead of fiddling with annoying tiny wires, you simply rest the phone on the included handy base to power it up. It costs an amazing £95.

Reading 2

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a laptop for university.

There are descriptions of eight laptop models.

Decide which laptop model would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Lucas wants a machine that is easy to carry around campus. He studies late, so the power must last all day without charging. He doesn’t have much money, so he needs a special price for university learners.

2   Maya loves watching movies, so she requires a massive display. She takes lots of photographs and needs huge amounts of memory to save them. She also wants a free protective bag included to keep her computer safe.

3   Sam is studying computer programming and needs a very fast, powerful machine. He is quite clumsy, so the device must be incredibly strong. He writes long essays, so a comfortable, high-quality keyboard is absolutely essential for him.

4   Elena cares about nature and wants a device built from recycled materials. She is on a strict budget and cannot spend more than three hundred pounds. She also wants to use her fingers to draw directly on the screen.

5   David takes lots of online classes, so he needs an excellent camera and microphone. He hates using his laptop’s touchpad, so he wants a free wireless mouse. Finally, he needs a long repair promise in case anything breaks.

University Laptop Models

A The AirBook 360

This incredibly thin computer weighs almost nothing, making it perfect for packing in your rucksack for busy days. It features a fantastic energy system that runs for twenty-four hours before needing a plug! Best of all, anyone currently taking a degree course receives a brilliant twenty percent off the final cost.

B Cinema Pro X

Enjoy your favourite television shows and videos on our beautiful, over-sized seventeen-inch monitor. You will never need to delete your files again, thanks to the enormous hard drive providing endless space for your personal media. Plus, every purchase comes with a wonderful complimentary padded rucksack to protect your new equipment while travelling.

C Titan Max

Built with a tough metal shell, this fantastic machine will easily survive heavy drops and accidents. It includes our latest processing chip, running the most difficult software at lightning speeds without pausing. Writers will also adore the beautifully designed buttons, which make typing out your university assignments an absolute pleasure.

D EcoTech Pad

Protect the planet with this wonderful machine, constructed completely from repurposed ocean plastics. You don’t need a keyboard, as you can easily paint and control everything using just your hands on the interactive display. At a fantastic everyday price of just £280, it is incredibly kind to your bank account!

E Connect Plus

If you regularly study on video calls, you will appreciate our high-definition lens and crystal-clear audio recorder. You won’t have to struggle with the built-in touch controls, as we include an external clicker in the box. Furthermore, we promise to fix any faults completely free of charge for three whole years!

F Student Lite

Anyone at college can claim a fantastic discount here, saving you plenty of cash. This model is delightfully small and won’t make your bags heavy on the way to lectures. However, the power runs out extremely quickly, so you must always sit right next to a wall socket to keep working.

G Vision Touch

This brilliant machine features an advanced interactive monitor, allowing you to easily swipe and draw directly with your fingers. It has a beautiful, huge display which is fantastic for watching weekend movies. However, there is hardly any internal space to keep your saved files, and you must purchase your own protective bags separately.

H The Studio Pro

This premium device features a lightning-fast brain, handling complex editing software and mathematics effortlessly. It also includes an incredible front-facing lens for recording high-quality videos for your friends. It is cleverly constructed from recycled plastics to help the environment. Unfortunately, we offer absolutely no repair promises, so you must pay if anything breaks down.

Reading 3

For each question, choose the correct answer.

The people below all want to find a gaming console to buy.

There are descriptions of eight gaming consoles.

Decide which gaming console would be the most suitable for the people below.

1   Leo wants a system that allows him to play online with his friends from school. He specifically wants to try unique games not available on other devices, and hopes to get extra gamepads included with the machine.

2   Sophia is looking for a portable system she can use while traveling on the bus. She prefers a machine that comes with two controllers out of the box, and needs to keep her total spending low.

3   Marcus wants a powerful console to play with his family together in the living room. He only buys devices that include standard gamepads in the box, and wants to buy the newest, most popular console released this year.

4   Elena has a tight budget and needs an inexpensive console. She loves single-player fantasy adventures that can only be played on that specific machine, and wants to receive a wireless controller as part of the package.

5   Tom and his brother want a console that connects easily to their television for competitive local multiplayer matches. They want unique, family-friendly games found nowhere else, but do not want to spend a lot of money.

Gaming Consoles available

A The PlayZone X

Connect with players across the globe instantly with our premium internet network. This machine features a brilliant library of software that you cannot experience anywhere else. Best of all, our special holiday pack includes two modern gamepads, so you can enjoy your favorite exclusive adventures with a buddy straight away.

B The Go-Gamer

This lightweight, handheld console is perfect for gaming on the move. The box cleverly includes two mini-pads, allowing you to share the fun with a friend instantly. It is currently on sale at an incredibly low price, making it the most affordable choice for budget-conscious players who 

travel frequently.

C Titan Core Max

Bring the ultimate entertainment system into your home. This brand-new, top-rated device was launched just a few months ago and has quickly become a bestseller. It comes complete with two standard gamepads, making it wonderful for parents and children to sit down and enjoy the latest global hits together.

D Quest Station

This highly affordable console is perfect for gamers who want to save money without losing quality. It specializes in legendary solo RPGs and fantasy stories that are entirely unique to this system. The package comes with a premium cord-free gamepad, offering amazing value for money.

E FunBox Family

This wallet-friendly console plugs directly into your TV screen for exciting head-to-head battles at home. It is famous for its cheerful, creative characters and original titles that you won’t find on any other system. It is a fantastic, cheap option for siblings who love gaming together.

F Aero Lite

Enjoy solo gaming with this cheap and simple console. It includes a beautiful, responsive wireless controller and a huge collection of fun shooting and racing games. It is excellent for people on a budget, though it does not feature any internet connection or exclusive game titles.

G Nova Peak

This brand-new entertainment machine is the most powerful device on the market this year, offering stunning graphics for your home. It includes a high-tech gamepad in the box. However, it is a very expensive system and focuses entirely on online sports games rather than local multiplayer.

H The Multi-Link

This advanced console is designed for massive online battle networks, allowing you to team up with friends worldwide. The box includes two controllers, and it features a great library of popular racing games. Please note that it is quite costly and all its titles can also be played on PCs.

Exercises:   12345