FCE Multiple Choice Cloze 14 Premium

For questions 1- 8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap

Do You Really Want a Parrot?

All parrots have one thing in (1) ... : They are wild creatures. Unlike domesticated dogs and cats

that have been bred in captivity (2) ... thousands of years, and are genetically programmed to

accept us and to live with us (3) ... our terms, most parrots have been breeding readily in captivity

for only the last 15 years. In (4) ... probability, the parents or grandparents of the hand-fed baby

parrot that you purchase today from a breeder or pet-store were wild-caught, imported birds.

A baby parrot born in captivity may be tame, but it is still far better equipped psychically and

emotionally to (5) ... with life in the wild than with life as someone's pet. A parrot may live 30 to 60

years or more, so it is a (6) ... job teaching it to successfully and happily coexist with people.

Someone unprepared for this kind of commitment would be better (7) ... with a more

complaint (8) ... animal.

1. A) addition B) fact C) common D) advance

2. A) for B) since C) during D) while

3. A) in B) at C) with D) on

4. A) every B) each C) whole D) all

5. A) deal B) handle C) control D) approach

6. A) lifestyle B) lifetime C) lifeline D) lifework

7. A) out B) up C) off D) down

8. A) colleague B) comrade C) company D) companion

 FCE Open Cloze 14 Premium
For questions 1-8, read the text below and think of the word which fits each gap. Use only one word in
each gap.

Scotland
It may be a surprise to some to find that Scotland is the most highly-educated country in Europe

and (1) ... among the best-educated in the world. And although the location of Scotland, hidden in

a remote corner of Europe, might have once kept Scots (2) ... of touch with the rest of the world,

they have had a distinctly global viewpoint. (3) ... the 19th century, (4) ... Scots have immigrated to

countries (5) ... Australia, Canada or America, often motivated by the desire to improve economic

situations.

The Scots regard (6) ... as a nation, with their own church, legal and educational system, political

culture and habits. Just like any (7) ... culture, Scottish culture is one that stems far back many

centuries in time. The first written reference to Scotland was in 320 BC by Greek sailor

Pytheas, (8) ... called the northern tip of Britain "Orcas".

 FCE Word Formation 14 Premium
For questions 1- 8, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to
form a word that fits in the gap in the same line.

Diamonds

Diamonds are the most expensive and (1) ... valued of gemstones. Throughout history they have

captivated mankind with their beauty and worn as a symbol of (2) ..., courage and invincibility.

Diamonds have fascinated mankind for centuries and acquired unique status as the ultimate gift of

love, in myth and (3) .... Currently, diamond is regarded to be the hardest known substance in the

world yet has the simplest chemical (4) ..., consisting of crystallised carbon. Diamonds occur in a

variety of colours and their (5) ... properties are stunning. Diamonds were first mined in India over

4,000 years ago and were used to decorate (6) ... objects, serve as a talisman against evil and

a (7) ... in battle. Buddhists also recognised the deep (8) ... significance accorded the diamonds in

ancient Buddhist scriptures, including the 'Diamond Sutra' which states that truth is eternal, just

like the diamond.

1) HIGH

2) STRONG

3) REAL

4) COMPOSE

5) OPTICS

6) RELIGION

7) PROTECT

8) SYMBOL
 FCE Key Word Transformations 14 Premium
For questions 1-6, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence,
using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words,
including the word given.

1) I don't want you to buy me the flowers.

SOONER
I'd ________________________________ buy me the flowers.

2) The police were following the smugglers.

WERE
The smugglers ________________________________ police.

3) Is she familiar with his dancing style yet?

USED
Has she ________________________________ his dancing style yet.

4) Please remember to switch off the radio.

TURN
Please don't forget ________________________________ the radio.

5) Our boss was determined to pay for the dinner.

ON
Our boss ________________________________ for the dinner.

6) You shouldn't bother to clean the car because it's going to rain.
WORTH
It ________________________________ the car because it's going to rain.
KEY EX 1

GAP 1 (COMMON) ... All parrots have one thing in common: They are wild creatures. Unlike domesticated
dogs and cats ...↑_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ↑
HAVE + IN + COMMON => FIXED PHRASE
HAVE sth IN COMMON => to have the same interests, ideas, etc. as somebody else.
Common Errors:
There are so many things in common between Bob and Jane. X
Bob and Jane have so many things in common. V

GAP 2 (FOR) ... been bred in captivity for thousands of years, and are genetically programmed to accept ...↑ _ _
_
PRESENT PERFECT + FOR
FOR => used to say how long an action or situation continues for.
Common Errors:
She has lived in London since five months. X
She has lived in London for five months. V FOR + PERIOD!
She has lived in London since last year. V SINCE + POINT!

GAP 3 (ON) ... and to live with us on our terms, most parrots have been breeding readily ...↑_ _ _ _ _↑
ON + OUR + TERMS => FIXED PHRASE
ON SB'S (OWN) TERMS => according to the conditions that someone wants.
Other Fixed Phrases and Idioms:
COME TO TERMS WITH sth => to reach an agreement.
IN THE LONG/SHORT TERM => used to describe what will happen a long, short, etc. time in the future.
IN TERMS OF => used to indicate the specific thing that is being described, thought of, etc.

GAP 4 (ALL) ... only the last 15 years. In all probability, the parents and grandparents of the hand-fed baby
parrot ...↑_ _ _ _ _ _↑
IN + ALL + PROBABILITY => IDIOM
IN ALL PROBABILITY => it is very likely that.
Other Fixed Phrases and Idioms:
(ON) THE BALANCE OF PROBABILITY => (considering) the evidence on both sides of an argument.
HIGH/STRONG PROBABILITY => what is likely or something that is likely.

GAP 5 (DEAL) ... and emotionally to deal with life in the wild than with life as someone's pet. A parrot may live
...↑ _ _ ↑
DEAL + WITH => VERB + PREPOSITION
DEAL WITH => to take action about something.
Common Errors:
I know how to deal with computers. X
I know how to use computers. V

GAP 6 (LIFETIME) ... years or more, so it is a lifetime job teaching it to successfully and happily coexist with
people ...↑_ _ _↑
LIFETIME + JOB => COLLOCATION
LIFETIME => the period of time during which someone is alive or something exists.
Other Fixed Phrases and Idioms:
THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME => the best opportunity, experience etc that you will ever have.
NOT IN THIS LIFETIME => not at all, never.
ONCE IN A LIFETIME => used to describe something special that is not likely to happen to you again.

GAP 7 (OFF) ... kind of commitment would be better off with a more complaint (8) ... animal. ...↑_ _ ↑
BETTER + OFF => ADJECTIVE
BETTER OFF => having more money than someone else or than you had before.
Other Fixed Phrases and Idioms:
BETTER OFF WITH/WITHOUT => happier, improved, more successful.
BE BETTER OFF DOING SOMETHING => used to give advice or an opinion.
GAP 8 (COMPANION) ... would be better off with a more complain companion animal. ...↑_ _ _ _ ↑
COMPANION + ANIMAL => COLLOCATION
COMPANION ANIMAL => an animal that serves as a domestic pet.
Other Collocations:
CONSTANT COMPANION, CLOSEST COMPANION, TRAVELLING COMPANION, DRINKING COMPANION.

KEY EX 2

GAP 1 (EVEN) ... country in Europe even among the best-educated in the world. And although the location of
...↑_ _ _ _
EVEN => ADVERB
EVEN => used to emphasize something unexpected or surprising.
Common Errors:
It even might be possible to make robots that could reproduce themselves. X
It might even be possible to make robots that could reproduce themselves. V Put EVEN immediately before the word or
phrase that you want to emphasize!

GAP 2 (OUT) ... have once kept Scots out of touch with the rest of the world, they have had ...↑_ _ _ _ ↑
OUT + OF + TOUCH => FIXED PHRASE
BE OUT OF TOUCH (with sb) => to not have the latest knowledge about a subject or situation.
Other Fixed Phrases and Idioms:
AN EASY/A SOFT TOUCH => a person that you can easily persuade to do something, especially to give you
money.
BE/GET/KEEP IN TOUCH (with sb) => to communicate with somebody, especially by writing to them or
telephoning them.
THE COMMON TOUCH => the ability to communicate with, appeal to, or inspire ordinary people.

GAP 3 (SINCE) ... global viewpoint. Since the 19th century, many Scots have immigrated to countries like
Australia, ...↑_ _ _ _ _
SINCE => PREPOSITION
SINCE => from a time in the past until a later past time, or until now.
Common Errors:
They have lived in New York for 1997. X
They have lived in New York for twenty years. V FOR + PERIOD (FROM START TO END)
They have lived in New York since 1997. V SINCE + POINT (UP TO NOW)

GAP 4 (MANY) ... the 19th century, many Scots have immigrated to countries like Australia, Canada or America,
often ...↑_ _ _ _
MANY => DETERMINER
MANY => a large number of.
Common Errors:
There weren't a lot of people at the meeting. X A LOT OF => AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES
There weren't many people at the meeting. V MANY => NEGATIVE SENTENCES and QUESTIONS

GAP 5 (LIKE) ... immigrated to countries like Australia, Canada or America, often motivated by the desire to ...↑_
____
LIKE + SERIES OF EXAMPLES
LIKE => SUCH AS, FOR EXAMPLE
Common Errors:
Outdoor sports as running and climbing are very popular in the US. X
Outdoor sports like running and climbing are very popular in the US. V

GAP 6 (THEMSELVES) ... The Scots regard themselves as a nation, with their own church, legal and
educational system, ...↑_ _ _ _ _
THEMSELVES => REFLEXIVE PRONOUN
THEMSELVES => used to show that the people who do something are affected by their own action.
Common Errors:
George dressed himself and got ready for work. X We do not use MYSELF etc. with DRESS/SHAVE/WASH!
George dressed and got ready for work. V
GAP 7 (OTHER) ... habits. Just like any other culture, Scottish culture is one that stems far back many
centuries in time. ...↑_ _ _ _↑
OTHER + PLURAL NOUN
OTHER => used to refer to additional people or things of the same kind.
Common Errors:
Please give me other book. X
Please give me another book. V ANOTHER + SINGULAR NOUN!
Please give me other books. V OTHER + PLURAL NOUN!

GAP 8 (WHO/THAT) ... Greek sailor Pytheas, who called the northern tip of Britain "Orcas". ...↑_ _ _ _
WHO/THAT => RELATIVE PRONOUN
WHO/THAT => used to show which person or people you mean.
Common Errors:
His mother, that was tired out, gave him a snack. X in non-defining clauses THAT cannot replace WHO!
The man that telephoned was a friend of yours. V in defining relative clauses we can use WHO or THAT!
The man who telephoned was a friend of yours. V in defining relative clauses we can use WHO or THAT!
KEY EX 3

GAP 1 (HIGHLY) ... most expensive an highly valued of gemstones. Throughout history they have captivated
...↑_ _ _ _
HIGH => HIGHLY | ADJECTIVE => ADVERB
LY => SUFFIX (IN ADVERBS) in a specified manner. (VIRTUALLY/SADLY/SLOWLY)
Root Words
1). John is the same height as his brother. HIGH => HEIGHT (INTERNAL CHANGE)
2). He is a highly educated man. HIGH + HIGHLY => ADVERB
3). There are fears that the march will heighten racial tension. HIGH => HEIGHTEN => VERB

GAP 2 (STRENGTH) ... worn as a symbol of strength, courage and invincibility. Diamonds have fascinated
mankind for centuries ...↑_ _ _ _
STRONG => STRENGTH | ADJECTIVE => NOUN (INTERNAL CHANGE)
INTERNAL CHANGE (IN NOUNS) (WIDE => WIDTH | SEE => SIGHT | CHOOSE => CHOICE)
Root Words
1). He did exercises to strengthen his muscles. STRENGTH + EN => VERB
2). Her greatest strength is her sense of humour. STRONG => STRENGTH (INTERNAL CHANGE)
3). Jack was strongly opposed to the idea. STRONG + LY => ADVERB

GAP 3 (REALITY) ... gift of love, in myth and reality. Currently, diamond is regarded to be the hardest known
substance ...↑_ _ _ _
REAL => REALITY | ADJECTIVE => NOUN
ITY => SUFFIX (IN NOUNS) the quality or state of. (PURITY/STABILITY/COMPLEXITY)
Root Words
1). I was glad to get back to reality after hearing the ghost story. REAL + ITY => NOUN
2). That's a really nice car. REAL + LY => ADVERB
3). You won't get your things into the van - be realistic! REALIST + IC => ADJECTIVE

GAP 4 (COMPOSITION) ... has the simplest chemical composition, consisting of crystallised carbon. Diamonds
occur in ...↑_ _ _ _
COMPOSE => COMPOSITION | VERB => NOUN
ITION => SUFFIX (IN NOUNS) the action or state of. (DEFINITION/PROHIBITION/PROPOSITION)
Root Words
1). Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the greatest composers in musical history. COMPOSE + R => NOUN
2). This painting has an orderly composition. COMPOS(E) + ITION => NOUN
3). This book presents the statistical analysis of compositional data sets. COMPOSITION + AL => ADJECTIVE
GAP 5 (OPTICAL) ... variety of colours and their optical properties are stunning. Diamonds were first mined in
India over ...↑_ _ _ _
OPTICS => OPTICAL | NOUN => ADJECTIVE
AL => SUFFIX (IN ADJECTIVES) connected with. (MAGICAL//GEOGRAPHICAL/FICTIONAL).
Root Words
1). The optician mended my spectacles. OPTIC + IAN => NOUN
2). She thought she could see water but it was an optical illusion. OPTIC + AL => ADJECTIVE
3). Touch screens use ARclear® optically clear silicone adhesives. OPTICAL + LY => ADVERB

GAP 6 (RELIGIOUS) ... used to decorate religious objects, serve as a talisman against evil and a ...↑_ _ _ _
RELIGION => RELIGIOUS | NOUN => ADJECTIVE
OUS => SUFFIX (IN ADJECTIVES) having the nature or quality of. (POISONOUS/MARVELLOUS/FABULOUS)
Root Words
1). She exercises religiously every morning. RELIGIOUS + LY => ADVERB
2). What is the significance of a Church in a religionless world? RELIGION + LESS => ADJECTIVE
3). He doesn't share her religious beliefs. RELIGI(ON) + OUS => ADJECTIVE

GAP 7 (PROTECTOR) ... against evil and a protector in battle. Buddhists also recognised the deep ...↑_ _ _ _
PROTECT => PROTECTOR | VERB => NOUN
OR => SUFFIX (IN NOUNS) a person or thing that. (CONDUCTOR/REDACTOR/ACTOR)
Root Words
1). This kind of lock will give extra protection against burglary. PROTECT + ION => NOUN
2). Parents are naturally protective towards their children. PRPTECT + IVE => ADJECTIVE
3). She sees her older brother as her protector. PROTECT + OR => NOUN

GAP 8 (SYMBOLIC) ... recognised the deep symbolic significance accorded the diamonds in ancient Buddhist
...↑_ _ _ _
SYMBOL => SYMBOLIC | NOUN => ADJECTIVE
IC => SUFFIX (IN ADJECTIVES) of or relating to. (SCENIC/ECONOMIC/SPECIFIC)
Root Words
1). The sculpture is full of symbolism. SYMBOL + ISM => NOUN
2). Wedding rings symbolise everlasting love. SYMBOL + ISE => VERB
3). The number 7 has symbolic importance. SYMBOL + IC => ADJECTIVE

KEY EX 4

ANSWERS 1: SOONER YOU DIDN'T | SOONER YOU DID NOT

UNREAL PAST
Would sooner is the same as would rather. Would sooner + she, you etc. + past simple (present/future)
expresses that we would like someone else to do something.
Common Errors:
I would sooner you not go to the party tonight. X
I would sooner you didn't go to the party tonight. V

ANSWERS 2: WERE BEING FOLLOWED BY THE

PASSIVE VOICE
WERE + BEING + PAST PARTICIPLE => PAST CONTINUOUS
Similar Conversions
They had cancelled the show => The show had been cancelled. PAST PERFECT => HAD + BEEN + PAST PARTICIPLE
Gina showed us her new car. => We were shown her new car (by Gina). PAST SIMPLE => (WAS, WERE) + PAST
PARTICIPLE
He will answer the question. => The question will be answered. FUTURE SIMPLE => WILL + BE + PAST PARTICIPLE
ANSWERS 3: GOT USED TO
VERB PATTERN
GET USED TO + NOUN => to have experienced something so that it no longer seems surprising, difficult,
strange etc.
Common Errors:
I didn't get use to the conditions. X
I didn't get used to the conditions. V GET + USED + TO

ANSWERS 4: TO TURN OFF

PHRASAL VERB
TURN STH OFF => to stop the flow of electricity, gas, water, etc. by moving a switch, button, etc.
Similar Conversions
She stopped smoking when her baby was born. => She gave up smoking when her baby was born. STOP => GIVE
UP
I can't bear that noise any longer. => I can't put up with that noise any longer. BEAR => PUT UP WITH
I know that she's lying but I will learn the truth. => I know that she's lying but I will find out the truth. LEARN => FIND
OUT

ANSWERS 5: INSISTED ON PAYING

VERB + PREPOSITION
INSIST ON => to demand that something happens or that somebody agrees to do something
More Examples:
She insisted to come with me. X
She insisted on coming with me. V INSIST + ON + GERUND

ANSWERS 6: ISN'T | 'S NOT | IS NOT | WORTH CLEANING

VERB PATTERN
WORTH DOING STH => used to recommend the action mentioned because you think it may be useful,
enjoyable, etc.
More Examples:
His suggestion is worth to consider. X
His suggestion is worth considering. V WORTH + GERUND