A Report on Repairable Household Products
About this practice test
A review of a consumer-technology report examines why household products are discarded, how modular design and right-to-repair laws may help, and what barriers remain for consumers.
What you’ll practice
Finding detail
Locate specific information and evidence.
Interpreting ideas
Connect main points and inferences.
Evaluating arguments
Assess claims, evidence, and limitations.
What to expect:
12 questions with explanations to review after submission.
Study the questions and tasks
Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.
- Practice level
- B2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.
- Question formats
- Fill in the blank (dropdown)
How to approach this practice
Read the passage for its main idea, then return to the relevant sentence or paragraph for each question. Base answers on the passage.
A Report on Repairable Household Products
The National Consumer Technology Association’s report on repairable household products offers a useful overview of why everyday appliances are so often replaced rather than fixed. Its starting point is familiar: many products seem less durable than before, and repair is frequently more expensive or difficult than buying a replacement. As a result, more broken appliances end up in landfill sites. Environmental groups are particularly concerned because some products contain materials that are difficult to recycle or harmful when they are disposed of incorrectly. The report draws on a survey of more than 2,000 households across the country. It found that 65% of respondents had thrown away a household product during the previous year because repairing it was too difficult or expensive. Small kitchen appliances, including toasters and blenders, were the most commonly discarded items. Vacuum cleaners and personal electronics such as headphones and speakers followed them, suggesting that the problem affects both inexpensive devices and more complex household equipment. Its explanation of the repair problem is convincing. Many modern products are designed so that opening them without damaging them is almost impossible. Specialized screws or glue can make it difficult for consumers to reach the parts that need fixing. Spare parts may also be unavailable, or so expensive that buying a new product appears more sensible. Some manufacturers stop producing spare parts only a few years after a product is released, leaving owners with little practical choice but disposal. The report is more encouraging when it turns to possible solutions. Some companies are designing appliances with modular parts that can be replaced easily. One example is a coffee machine with removable components. Customers can order individual parts online and follow simple instructions to repair the machine at home. This design extends the product’s lifespan and reduces its environmental impact, although the report does not claim that every appliance can be redesigned in exactly this way. Government action is another important theme. In several countries, laws require manufacturers to make spare parts available for a minimum number of years after launch. Some regions have also introduced right-to-repair regulations requiring companies to provide repair manuals and diagnostic tools to consumers and independent repair shops. Early evidence suggests that these policies increase the availability of repairs and reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill. The report does not present legislation as a complete solution. Consumer interest in repairable products is growing, but many people lack the knowledge or confidence to attempt repairs themselves. It therefore recommends better manufacturer support, clearer instructions and basic repair skills in school curricula. Overall, its argument is that repairable products benefit the environment and consumers alike: they can save money and reduce the frustration of constantly replacing broken items.
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Question 1 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
Many modern household products are often replaced rather than repaired, leading to ___ waste.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- controlled
- unwanted
- increased
- reduced
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- increased
The review states that replacing broken products has contributed to increased waste.
As a result, more broken appliances end up in landfill sites
controlled: Incorrect. The passage does not say the waste is being controlled.
unwanted: Incorrect. While the waste is unwanted, the passage emphasizes the increase.
increased: Correct. The passage describes a rise in waste.
reduced: Incorrect. The waste is increasing, not decreasing.
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Question 2 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
According to the survey, the most commonly discarded household items are ___ appliances.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- outdoor garden
- bathroom
- small kitchen
- large laundry
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- small kitchen
The survey identifies small kitchen appliances as the most commonly discarded items.
Small kitchen appliances, including toasters and blenders, were the most commonly discarded items
outdoor garden: Incorrect. Outdoor garden appliances are not mentioned.
bathroom: Incorrect. Bathroom appliances are not mentioned.
small kitchen: Correct. The passage specifies small kitchen appliances.
large laundry: Incorrect. Laundry appliances are not mentioned as most common.
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Question 3 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
One major obstacle to repair is that manufacturers use ___ to prevent easy access to internal parts.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- specialized screws or glue
- extra batteries
- wooden frames
- unbreakable glass
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- specialized screws or glue
Specialized screws or glue can make internal parts difficult for consumers to reach.
Specialized screws or glue can make it difficult for consumers to reach the parts that need fixing
specialized screws or glue: Correct. The passage explicitly mentions this.
extra batteries: Incorrect. Extra batteries are not discussed.
wooden frames: Incorrect. Wooden frames are not relevant here.
unbreakable glass: Incorrect. This is not mentioned as a barrier to repair.
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Question 4 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
Some manufacturers stop making ___ a few years after releasing a product.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- instruction manuals
- power cords
- spare parts
- advertisements
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- spare parts
The review notes that some manufacturers stop producing spare parts only a few years after a product is released.
Some manufacturers stop producing spare parts only a few years after a product is released
instruction manuals: Incorrect. Manuals are not mentioned as being discontinued.
power cords: Incorrect. Power cords are not specified.
spare parts: Correct. Spare parts are mentioned in this context.
advertisements: Incorrect. Advertisements are not relevant.
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Question 5 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
A coffee machine mentioned in the report can be repaired at home because it has ___ components.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- removable
- hidden
- single-use
- expensive
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- removable
The example coffee machine has removable components, so customers can replace individual parts at home.
One example is a coffee machine with removable components
removable: Correct. The components can be removed and replaced.
hidden: Incorrect. The components are designed to be accessible, not hidden.
single-use: Incorrect. The components are not single-use.
expensive: Incorrect. The passage does not say the components are expensive.
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Question 6 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
Legislation in some countries requires manufacturers to provide ___ for a certain period.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- free products
- discount vouchers
- public events
- spare parts
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- spare parts
Some laws require manufacturers to make spare parts available for a minimum number of years.
In several countries, laws require manufacturers to make spare parts available for a minimum number of years after launch
free products: Incorrect. The law concerns spare parts, not free products.
discount vouchers: Incorrect. Discount vouchers are not discussed.
public events: Incorrect. Public events are not mentioned.
spare parts: Correct. The legislation relates to spare parts availability.
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Question 7 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
‘Right to repair’ regulations force companies to give access to ___ and diagnostic tools.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- repair manuals
- fashion catalogs
- gift cards
- marketing materials
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- repair manuals
Right-to-repair regulations require companies to provide repair manuals and diagnostic tools.
Some regions have also introduced right-to-repair regulations requiring companies to provide repair manuals and diagnostic tools to consumers and independent repair shops
repair manuals: Correct. Repair manuals are required under these regulations.
fashion catalogs: Incorrect. Fashion catalogs are unrelated.
gift cards: Incorrect. Gift cards are not relevant.
marketing materials: Incorrect. Marketing materials are not mentioned.
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Question 8 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
Early evidence suggests that these policies ___ the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- double
- reduce
- ignore
- increase
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- reduce
The review says early evidence suggests that these policies reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill.
Early evidence suggests that these policies increase the availability of repairs and reduce the volume of waste sent to landfill
double: Incorrect. The passage does not mention doubling waste.
reduce: Correct. The policies help to reduce waste.
ignore: Incorrect. The policies are not ignoring waste.
increase: Incorrect. The policies do not increase waste.
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Question 9 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
Despite legal changes, many people lack the ___ to repair products themselves.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- tools or screws
- knowledge or confidence
- interest or energy
- money or time
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- knowledge or confidence
Many people lack the knowledge or confidence needed to attempt repairs themselves.
Consumer interest in repairable products is growing, but many people lack the knowledge or confidence to attempt repairs themselves
tools or screws: Incorrect. The passage highlights knowledge and confidence.
knowledge or confidence: Correct. The passage directly states this limitation.
interest or energy: Incorrect. The focus is on knowledge and confidence, not interest or energy.
money or time: Incorrect. The issue is not primarily money or time here.
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Question 10 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
The report recommends that schools teach students basic ___ skills.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- cooking
- marketing
- repair
- painting
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- repair
The recommendations include teaching basic repair skills in schools.
It therefore recommends better manufacturer support, clearer instructions and basic repair skills in school curricula
cooking: Incorrect. Cooking is not relevant here.
marketing: Incorrect. Marketing skills are not mentioned.
repair: Correct. The report recommends teaching repair skills.
painting: Incorrect. Painting is not discussed.
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Question 11 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
Making products easier to repair can help consumers ___ money.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- lend
- save
- borrow
- spend more
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- save
Repairable products can help consumers save money by reducing the need for replacement.
they can save money and reduce the frustration of constantly replacing broken items
lend: Incorrect. Lending is not relevant.
save: Correct. The passage mentions saving money.
borrow: Incorrect. Borrowing is not discussed.
spend more: Incorrect. The idea is to spend less, not more.
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Question 12 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)
Choose the correct option for each blank.
The report argues that repairable products reduce both environmental impact and consumer ___.
Return to the passage, recording or visualChoices for blank 1
- income
- interest
- reliance
- frustration
Check answers and explanations
- Blank 1
- frustration
The review argues that repairable products reduce the frustration of constantly replacing broken items.
they can save money and reduce the frustration of constantly replacing broken items
income: Incorrect. The passage does not mention reducing income.
interest: Incorrect. Interest is not discussed in this context.
reliance: Incorrect. Reliance is not the focus here.
frustration: Correct. Frustration is specifically mentioned.
What to review next
Find the words that support each answer. For a mistake, compare the question with the evidence and identify the detail or inference you missed.
A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.
Before you practise: a worked example
Look for evidence in the text. Separate what the writer says from what you already know about the topic.
The library normally closes at six, but on Fridays it stays open until eight. When does it close on Friday?
The answer is eight. But introduces an exception to the normal closing time, so the first time mentioned is not the answer.
This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.