The Story behind a Useful Invention

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

Cloze (text)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use design and prevent: The engineer had not set out to create a household product when she began working on the laboratory instrument. The device was originally 1___ (design) to measure pressure. Its later use involved 2___ (prevent) leaks in household pipes. Recognising a second use required looking beyond the purpose written in the original brief.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   designed

   Blank 2

   preventing

   The passive takes designed; involve takes an ing form.

2. Question 2 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word per gap: One test produced an unusual reading that could easily have been dismissed as a nuisance. The idea came 1___ after a routine test failed. The engineer refused to give 2___ and examined the fault. Investigating the unexpected result was the first step towards understanding why the instrument might be useful elsewhere.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   about / up

   Blank 2

   up

   Come about means happen; give up means stop trying.

3. Question 3 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use notice and attach: The engineer wanted to know whether the movement could reveal a fault before water became visible. Having 1___ (notice) a small vibration, she had a sensor 2___ (attach) to the pipe. A simple observation became useful only after she found a way to measure it consistently.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   noticed

   Blank 2

   attached

   Having takes a participle; have an object attached is a causative passive.

4. Question 4 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word per gap: A small leak can remain hidden for some time, especially inside a wall or beneath a floor. The sensor made it possible to identify leaks 1___ an early stage. This reduced the risk 2___ serious damage. Finding a problem sooner could give householders time to act before repairs became much more expensive.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   at

   Blank 2

   of

   At an early stage marks timing; risk of introduces the possible harm.

5. Question 5 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use reliable and improve: The first devices worked in the laboratory but did not perform consistently in different homes. Early models lacked 1___ (reliable). Several design 2___ (improve) were needed before release. A good idea still needed testing and adjustment before it could become a dependable product.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   reliability

   Blank 2

   improvements

   The first gap needs a noun; several requires plural improvements.

6. Question 6 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word per gap: Trial users found the readings difficult to interpret even when the sensor itself worked properly. The team took customer comments into 1___ and came up 2___ a simpler display. A clearer display helped people understand when they needed to call a professional rather than guess.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   account

   Blank 2

   with

   Take into account means consider; come up with means devise.

7. Question 7 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use sell and expect: The company had prepared cautiously because nobody knew how much demand there would be. By the end of the first year, the company had 1___ (sell) more units than it had 2___ (expect). Sales provided one sign of success, although feedback about everyday use remained just as important.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   sold

   Blank 2

   expected

   Both past-perfect clauses use past participles.

8. Question 8 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word per gap: The engineer now describes the project when talking to students about practical research. What began 1___ a failed experiment turned 2___ to be useful. The engineer now teaches others to learn from unexpected results. Its value came from asking why an unexpected result occurred, instead of treating it only as a mistake.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   as

   Blank 2

   out

   Begin as describes the initial role; turn out to be describes the eventual result.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

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.