Question

a. toasters
a. current b. maintain c. minimum d. originate e. reliable
although the practice of eating toasted bread (1)____(e)d about 4,600 years ago, the pop - up electric toaster was not invented until 1919. these early pop - up toasters were not very (2)__. they broke down often. also, they weren’t able to (3)__ an even temperature, but grew hotter and hotter with each piece of bread toasted. some poor - quality machines even popped the toast all the way across the room. over the years, toasters have certainly improved. (4)__ ones are easy to utilize°, and they give us a (5)____ number of problems with repairs and temperature control.
b. a mean man

Explanation:

(1) "originate" means to have a starting - point or source, so "originated" is appropriate for the start of the practice of eating toasted bread.
(2) Since early toasters broke down often, they were not "reliable".
(3) "maintain" means to keep at a certain level or state, which fits for keeping an even temperature.
(4) "Current" refers to the present - day toasters.
(5) Improved toasters give a "minimum" number of problems.

Answer:

(1) D. originate
(2) E. reliable
(3) B. maintain
(4) A. current
(5) C. minimum