Cloze passages

Nadia Comaneci was ___1___ in Romania on 12 November 1961. When she was six years old, she took up ___2___. She was very determined and learnt quickly and was later sent to participate in several ___3___. She showed great promise. Under the instruction of very capable coaches, Bella and Martha Karoly, Nadia soon ___4___ a tough competitor to contend with. She was technically brilliant and mentally very ___5___.In 1975, at the age of 13, Nadia ___6___ the European championship for gymnastics. She became a star almost overnight. She was the 'darling' of the court. The next year, she took the all-round title and set the ___7___ of scoring a perfect '10', not once but four times in the Olympic Games at Montreal. Nadia faced serious training difficulties when she grew ___8___ by ten centimeters. However, she persevered and ___9___ on to win the Olympic gold again in Moscow in 1980. Her last competition was in the world student games in July 1981. She has since retired and ___10___ in California.

Answers

1. born   2. gymnastics   3. competitions   4. became   5. strong   6. won   7. record   8. taller   9. went   10. lives

Nadia Comaneci was born in Romania on 12 November 1961. When she was six years old, she took up gymnastics. She was very determined and learnt quickly and was later sent to participate in several competitions. She showed great promise. Under the instruction of very capable coaches, Bella and Martha Karoly, Nadia soonbecame a tough competitor to contend with. She was technically brilliant and mentally very strong.In 1975, at the age of 13, Nadia won the European championship for gymnastics. She became a star almost overnight. She was the 'darling' of the court. The next year, she took the all-round title and set the record of scoring a perfect '10', not once but four times in the Olympic Games at Montreal. Nadia faced serious training difficulties when she grew taller by ten centimeters. However, she persevered and went on to win the Olympic gold again in Moscow in 1980. Her last competition was in the world student games in July 1981. She has since retired and lives in California.

Cloze passages

Dumpy, a three-year-old mongrel was a stray. He ___1___ to live a luxurious life, much pampered by his ___2___. However, when his master left for England, he was adopted by a ___3___ who later abandoned him when they ___4___ into an apartment.One morning, Dumpy was walking down the street ___5___ he was spotted by a dog-catcher. The dog-catcher picked him up, ___6___ him into the back of the van, gave him a dose of gas meant to ___7___ him and drove to the nearest dumping ground. When he got there, he threw Dumpy in ___8___ of a moving bulldozer. He assumed that Dumpy was dead. Dumpy suddenly ___9___ and tried to crawl away. The dog-catcher took his rifle and shot him ___10___, one bullet hit his foreleg and the ___11___ found its way to the chest. Dumpy kept moving forward. The driver of the bulldozer, Henry, begged the dog-catcher to put the poor dog out of his ___12___. The dog-catcher looked at the huge pile of garbage. He did not want to  ___13___ his boots and refused to move in to kill the dog. Instead, he drove ___14___. Henry called his friends for help. They searched the dump in pouring ___15___ until they found Dumpy. He was hiding under a broken-down shack, his body ___16___ with mud and blood. They rushed the mongrel to a veterinarian and ___17___ his life. News of the incident spread. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals protested against the ___18___ the dog-catcher performed his duty. The dog-catcher received several threats from animal lovers all over town. He had to seek ___19___ protection. Eventually, he emigrated. As for Dumpy, he had his name engraved on his license plate which he carried proudly round his ___20___. One hundred families offered to adopt him but Henry had grown too attached to the stray to give him up.

Answers

1. used   2. master   3. family/couple   4. moved/shifted   5. when   6. threw   7. kill   8. front   9. awoke   10. twice   11. other   12. misery   13. dirty   14. off   15. rain   16. covered   17. saved   18. way   19. police   20. neck

Dumpy, a three-year-old mongrel was a stray. He used to live a luxurious life, much pampered by his master. However, when his master left for England, he was adopted by a family/couple who later abandoned him when they moved/shifted into an apartment.One morning, Dumpy was walking down the street when he was spotted by a dog-catcher. The dog-catcher picked him up, threw him into the back of the van, gave him a dose of gas meant to kill him and drove to the nearest dumping ground. When he got there, he threw Dumpy in front of a moving bulldozer. He assumed that Dumpy was dead. Dumpy suddenly awoke and tried to crawl away. The dog-catcher took his rifle and shot him twice, one bullet hit his foreleg and the other found its way to the chest. Dumpy kept moving forward. The driver of the bulldozer, Henry, begged the dog-catcher to put the poor dog out of his misery. The dog-catcher looked at the huge pile of garbage. He did not want to dirty his boots and refused to move in to kill the dog. Instead, he drove off. Henry called his friends for help. They searched the dump in pouring rain until they found Dumpy. He was hiding under a broken-down shack, his body covered with mud and blood. They rushed the mongrel to a veterinarian and saved his life. News of the incident spread. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals protested against the way the dog-catcher performed his duty. The dog-catcher received several threats from animal lovers all over town. He had to seek policeprotection. Eventually, he emigrated. As for Dumpy, he had his name engraved on his license plate which he carried proudly round his neck. One hundred families offered to adopt him but Henry had grown too attached to the stray to give him up.

Cloze passages

IQ tests were at one ___1___ very popular. An IQ test is supposed to measure thinking ability. 'I' stands for intelligence and 'Q' for quotient. An IQ is therefore ___2___ in numerals.Many psychologists used to believe that everyone has a fixed ___3___ of intelligence and that it could be measured in a single test. Alfred Binet designed a set of tests which was given to French children in 1905. The questions were based on what the students were taught and their ___4___ were supposed to reflect how well they could use words and numbers, follow directions and ___5___ problems in a common-sense way. Binet thought these ___6___ were useful in separating the intelligent from the dull ones. Later, he decided to do more. He wanted to find out how ___7___ a child was. "If nine-year-old Felicia was smart, was she as smart as a ten-year-old or an eleven-year-old?" The answer was given in a number now known as IQ. IQ tests were conducted to test the intelligence of children in schools. However, it was later found that some ___8___ who did well in an arithmetic test did poorly on the word questions. The question of how they were to be classified arose. It became clear that intelligence is not a trait like having brown eyes and dark hair. There are ___9___ ways of being smart. Many schools no longer give IQ tests. Instead, children are given many different tests to find their ___10___ and weaknesses. They are then helped to develop their strengths and get over their weaknesses.   Answers   1. time   2. written   3. amount   4. answers   5. solve   6. tests   7. smart   8. children   9. many   10. strengths   IQ tests were at one time very popular. An IQ test is supposed to measure thinking ability. 'I' stands for intelligence and 'Q' for quotient. An IQ is therefore written in numerals.Many psychologists used to believe that everyone has a fixed amount of intelligence and that it could be measured in a single test. Alfred Binet designed a set of tests which was given to French children in 1905. The questions were based on what the students were taught and their answers were supposed to reflect how well they could use words and numbers, follow directions and solve problems in a common-sense way. Binet thought these tests were useful in separating the intelligent from the dull ones. Later, he decided to do more. He wanted to find out how smart a child was. "If nine-year-old Felicia was smart, was she as smart as a ten-year-old or an eleven-year-old?" The answer was given in a number now known as IQ. IQ tests were conducted to test the intelligence of children in schools. However, it was later found that some children who did well in an arithmetic test did poorly on the word questions. The question of how they were to be classified arose. It became clear that intelligence is not a trait like having brown eyes and dark hair. There are manyways of being smart. Many schools no longer give IQ tests. Instead, children are given many different tests to find their strengths and weaknesses. They are then helped to develop their strengths and get over their weaknesses.

Cloze passages

Serena's determination and ___1___ work had paid off. Last week, she received her final term ___2___. "Grade A for Mathematics!" she had screamed ___3___ delight. Serena could not ___4___ her eyes. She had always been weak in the ___5___ and so far her best had been a 'B'. What an improvement! Her friends ___6___ her happiness.As a reward, Serena's parents ___7___ their approval for her to go camping with her friends. Serena was elated. She had never ___8___ a night away from home. That would be the ___9___ time. She felt grown-up and independent. "I can't ___10___ for Saturday to come!" she told her friends. ___11___ dawned bright and clear. Serena had all her things packed long before ___12___ day. Her friends had ___13___ the East Coast Campsite for their stay. It was ___14___ to be fun. The taxi had arrived. "Have you packed in your ___15___ bag?...What about your toothbrush and towels?" her mother asked as they ___16___ towards the taxi. "Don't ___17___, Mum, I have everything. I can take ___18___ of myself," Serena reassured her. She placed her bags in the boot, jumped into the ___19___ and with a final wave of her hand, was ___20___ to the camp.

Answers

1. hard   2. results   3. in   4. believe   5. subject   6. shared   7. gave   8. spent   9. first   10. wait   11. Saturday   12. that   13. booked   14. going   15. sleeping   16. walked   17. worry   18. care   19. taxi   20. off

Serena's determination and hard work had paid off. Last week, she received her final term results. "Grade A for Mathematics!" she had screamed in delight. Serena could not believe her eyes. She had always been weak in the subject and so far her best had been a 'B'. What an improvement! Her friends shared her happiness.As a reward, Serena's parents gave their approval for her to go camping with her friends. Serena was elated. She had never spent a night away from home. That would be the first time. She felt grown-up and independent. "I can't wait for Saturday to come!" she told her friends. Saturday dawned bright and clear. Serena had all her things packed long before thatday. Her friends had booked the East Coast Campsite for their stay. It was going to be fun. The taxi had arrived. "Have you packed in your sleeping bag?...What about your toothbrush and towels?" her mother asked as they walked towards the taxi. "Don't worry, Mum, I have everything. I can take care of myself," Serena reassured her. She placed her bags in the boot, jumped into the taxi and with a final wave of her hand, was off to the camp.

Cloze passages

Grandma likes to keep busy. She ___1___ idling around and watching television all day long. She insists on washing and ironing her own ___2___ and does not believe in the use of the washing machine. "The clothes are not properly washed. They simply go ___3___ the different cycles of 'wash and spin' and come out with stains ___4___ intact," she declared. So, very often, she will scrub the collar and sleeves of Dad's ___5___ before allowing the maid to put them into the machine to be washed.Every morning, long ___6___ anyone of us is awake, Grandma goes for her morning exercise in the park opposite our house. She ___7___ herself. You see, Grandma is a ___8___ nurse. She joined the service before the war and retired at the age of forty-five. She ___9___ to work as a private nurse after her retirement and only gave it up at the insistence of my father who felt that she should relax and enjoy life. Grandma also helps the maid to cook and do the marketing. "Oh, Mum, ___10___ must you tire yourself out? Let the maid do the work. Besides, she does not like it," Mandy used to tell her. "Oh, but I do!" exclaimed Grandma, smiling broadly at her daughter-in-law.

Answers

1. dislikes   2. clothes   3. through   4. still   5. shirts   6. before   7. spends   8. retired   9. continued   10. why

Grandma likes to keep busy. She dislikes idling around and watching television all day long. She insists on washing and ironing her own clothes and does not believe in the use of the washing machine. "The clothes are not properly washed. They simply gothrough the different cycles of 'wash and spin' and come out with stains still intact," she declared. So, very often, she will scrub the collar and sleeves of Dad's shirtsbefore allowing the maid to put them into the machine to be washed.Every morning, long before anyone of us is awake, Grandma goes for her morning exercise in the park opposite our house. She spends herself. You see, Grandma is aretired nurse. She joined the service before the war and retired at the age of forty-five. She continued to work as a private nurse after her retirement and only gave it up at the insistence of my father who felt that she should relax and enjoy life. Grandma also helps the maid to cook and do the marketing. "Oh, Mum, why must you tire yourself out? Let the maid do the work. Besides, she does not like it," Mandy used to tell her. "Oh, but I do!" exclaimed Grandma, smiling broadly at her daughter-in-law.

Cloze passages

It had been a tiring journey. I ___1___ the hotel at about ten o'clock that night. There were ___2___ other tourists waiting to check in. I ___3___ the reception desk and asked for my ___4___ number and the key to it. To my despair, I ___5___ that there had been a ___6___ in communication and my reservation for a room had not been received. The ___7___ was very polite and helpful. She told me that the hotel was ___8___ booked for the night and suggested that I put up at a motel which is further down the hill. Faced with hardly any choice, I took up her ___9___.The ___10___ was rather quaint and warm. The owner was Percy Williams who doubled up as a receptionist and a porter. He ___11___ me warmly and showed me my room. By then I was very ___12___ I jumped into bed and fell into a deep ___13___. The next morning, I woke up feeling very much refreshed. I realized that I was ___14___ with a blanket and my ___15___ were neatly arranged in the closet. "Mr Williams is indeed a nice man," I thought to ___16___. I decided that I would stay on in the motel for the ___17___ of my holidays. I met Mr Williams on my way out and ___18___ him for his service. Mr Williams was surprised. "I didn't do anything except to show you to your room last night, Miss. It must be my ___19___ who did that." " Please convey my thanks to your wife then," I said as I moved to leave. Mr Williams' next few words ___20___ me freeze. I'm afraid I can't, Miss. You see, my wife died a few years ago."

Answers

1. reached   2. many   3. approached   4. room   5. found   6. mistake/breakdown   7. receptionist   8. fully   9. suggestion   10. motel   11. greeted   12. tired   13. sleep   14. covered   15. clothes   16. myself   17. rest   18. thanked   19. wife   20. made

It had been a tiring journey. I reached the hotel at about ten o'clock that night. There were many other tourists waiting to check in. I approached the reception desk and asked for my room number and the key to it. To my despair, I found that there had been a mistake/breakdown in communication and my reservation for a room had not been received. The receptionist was very polite and helpful. She told me that the hotel was fully booked for the night and suggested that I put up at a motel which is further down the hill. Faced with hardly any choice, I took up her suggestion.The motel was rather quaint and warm. The owner was Percy Williams who doubled up as a receptionist and a porter. He greeted me warmly and showed me my room. By then I was very tired I jumped into bed and fell into a deep sleep. The next morning, I woke up feeling very much refreshed. I realized that I wascovered with a blanket and my clothes were neatly arranged in the closet. "Mr Williams is indeed a nice man," I thought to myself. I decided that I would stay on in the motel for the rest of my holidays. I met Mr Williams on my way out and thanked him for his service. Mr Williams was surprised. "I didn't do anything except to show you to your room last night, Miss. It must be my wife who did that." " Please convey my thanks to your wife then," I said as I moved to leave. Mr Williams' next few words made me freeze. I'm afraid I can't, Miss. You see, my wife died a few years ago."

Cloze passages

Many people cannot do ___1___ the computer these days. The computer gives us access to a wide range of information and enables us to 'talk' to people from all over the ___2___ at any time of the day.When we hook our ___3___ to another computer somewhere, we would have entered what we call cyberspace. Cyberspace is actually what happens when we hook our computer to an online service or the Internet. We need to pay a ___4___ to go online using our computer, modem and the telephone. The service ___5___ bulletin boards, chat areas, information to download and access to the Internet. The Internet is a worldwide network of computers hooked up to one another. It is ___6___ from online services in that no one owns it. Anyone is free to put in information or read information from there. We can do everything on the Internet. We can ___7___ and receive electronic mail. We can see pictures and download files. We can chat with other people and can even ___8___ to music and watch videos. One of the most popular things that children do online is to chat. Unlike the bulletin board, the children chat with others who are online at the same time. They read ___9___ and send their reply right then and there. It is as if one is talking to another face to ___10___. The messages are usually short but can get rather confusing as the use of certain words or acronyms may not be familiar to all.

Answers

1. without   2. world   3. computer   4. fee   5. provides   6. different   7. send   8. listen   9. messages   10. face

Many people cannot do without the computer these days. The computer gives us access to a wide range of information and enables us to 'talk' to people from all over the world at any time of the day.When we hook our computer to another computer somewhere, we would have entered what we call cyberspace. Cyberspace is actually what happens when we hook our computer to an online service or the Internet. We need to pay a fee to go online using our computer, modem and the telephone. The service provides bulletin boards, chat areas, information to download and access to the Internet. The Internet is a worldwide network of computers hooked up to one another. It isdifferent from online services in that no one owns it. Anyone is free to put in information or read information from there. We can do everything on the Internet. We can send and receive electronic mail. We can see pictures and download files. We can chat with other people and can even listen to music and watch videos. One of the most popular things that children do online is to chat. Unlike the bulletin board, the children chat with others who are online at the same time. They readmessages and send their reply right then and there. It is as if one is talking to another face to face. The messages are usually short but can get rather confusing as the use of certain words or acronyms may not be familiar to all.

Cloze passages

The world backward-donkey racing championship was won by a donkey from the Biscay region in Spain.A few thousand spectators ___1___ to view the race which was ___2___ by the Mayor of Biscay village in 1987. This year, ___3___ countries like the United States and France ___4___ in the race. There were ___5___ thirteen donkeys in the race. Each donkey had an assistant to make ___6___ that the donkey ___7___ in the ___8___ direction. The ___9___ of the race won a ___10___ and $13,000 in prize-money.   Answers   1. assembled   2. established   3. many   4. participated   5. altogether   6. sure   7. moved   8. correct   9. champion   10. trophy   The world backward-donkey racing championship was won by a donkey from the Biscay region in Spain.A few thousand spectators assembled to view the race which was established by the Mayor of Biscay village in 1987. This year, many countries like the United States and France participated in the race. There were altogether thirteen donkeys in the race. Each donkey had an assistant to make sure that the donkey moved in the correct direction. The champion of the race won a trophy and $13,000 in prize-money.

Cloze passages

Rays look like huge birds in slow flight when they swim. They have huge triangular side fins which flap like ___1___ when the rays swim. Their bodies ___2___ flat and their mouth and gill openings are usually ___3___ on the underside of the body. They have a thin, whip-like tail which is usually armed ___4___ a poisonous spine.Rays cannot swim ___5___. They are slow, graceful swimmers. They are not hunters so they do not ___6___ to swim at high speed to chase their prey. They feed on small ___7___ creatures which are filtered as the water containing these small creatures ___8___ the mouth and passes over ___9___ gills. There are not more than 20 ___10___ of rays. Most of them have taken to live permanently near the ___11___ of the sea. There are, however, ___12___ that prefer to live near the upper layers of the sea. Eagle rays and manta rays, for example, are found to swim ___13___ the water surface most of the ___14___. They even leap out of the water and 'fly' for a short ___15___ before vanishing into the sea again. Some rays are very ___16___. They have a 'wing span' of about 20 meters and weigh as ___17___ as a rhinoceros. Because of their ___18___ and look, these rays are also ___19___ devil fish or vampire rays. But according to skin divers, rays are mostly gentle, harmless creatures. This is shown by some divers holding on to a ray to get a free ___20___.

Answers

1. wings   2. are   3. found   4. with   5. fast   6. need   7. sea/marine   8. enters   9. the   10. species   11. bottom   12. some   13. near   14. time   15. distance   16. large/huge   17. heavy   18. size   19. called   20. ride

Rays look like huge birds in slow flight when they swim. They have huge triangular side fins which flap like wings when the rays swim. Their bodies are flat and their mouth and gill openings are usually found on the underside of the body. They have a thin, whip-like tail which is usually armed with a poisonous spine.Rays cannot swim fast. They are slow, graceful swimmers. They are not hunters so they do not need to swim at high speed to chase their prey. They feed on smallsea/marine creatures which are filtered as the water containing these small creaturesenters the mouth and passes over the gills. There are not more than 20 species of rays. Most of them have taken to live permanently near the bottom of the sea. There are, however, some that prefer to live near the upper layers of the sea. Eagle rays and manta rays, for example, are found to swim near the water surface most of the time. They even leap out of the water and 'fly' for a short distance before vanishing into the sea again. Some rays are very large/huge. They have a 'wing span' of about 20 meters and weigh as heavy as a rhinoceros. Because of their size and look, these rays are alsocalled devil fish or vampire rays. But according to skin divers, rays are mostly gentle, harmless creatures. This is shown by some divers holding on to a ray to get a freeride.

Cloze passages

Kittens are very ___1___ animals. They can spend the whole day playing with a ball of wool. Kittens are also full of ___2___. They tend to check every nook and ___3___ looking for something to play with. If they find a cockroach, they would probably kill the ___4___ by just playing with it. Kittens are usually fed with milk or cooked ___5___. They always show their ___6___ or happiness by purring softly and rubbing against the owner.As they ___7___ bigger, they are called cats. They are able to catch mice and lizards. But not all cats like eating mice, they tend to ___8___ the mice and leave them there. Cats are really ___9___ pets. They not only provide us with ___10___ but also keep our homes free from pests like mice and lizards.

Answers

1. playful   2. curiosity   3. cranny   4. insect   5. fish   6. pleasure   7. grow   8. kill   9. useful   10. amusement

Kittens are very playful animals. They can spend the whole day playing with a ball of wool. Kittens are also full of curiosity. They tend to check every nook and crannylooking for something to play with. If they find a cockroach, they would probably kill the insect by just playing with it. Kittens are usually fed with milk or cooked fish. They always show their pleasure or happiness by purring softly and rubbing against the owner.As they grow bigger, they are called cats. They are able to catch mice and lizards. But not all cats like eating mice, they tend to kill the mice and leave them there. Cats are really useful pets. They not only provide us with amusement but also keep our homes free from pests like mice and lizards.

Cloze passages

Long ago people knew very little about the world. The ___1___ was thought to be flat. Hence, if a person ___2___ long enough in one direction, he would finally ___3___ the edge of the world and ___4___ off.Today, we ___5___ that the earth is not a flat rectangular block; it is round. We owe ___6___ knowledge to the explorers who made long voyages to find ___7___ routes and discover new lands. They ___8___ accurate records of the oceans they ___9___ and the strange lands they visited. From these records, they drew up a map ___10___ the world. In this way, they ended ___11___ belief of a flat world. Though we know the earth ___12___ better today, the spirit of exploration has not as a result come to an end. The ___13___ for adventure, the urge to set foot ___14___ a wild shore and the curiosity for far-flung ___15___ are still alive. Besides, not all places on earth have been fully ___16___. Places like deserts, mountains, oceans and polar regions ___17___ have secrets and mysteries to amaze ___18___ surprise us. It is fortunate for us that ___19___ are still many things to be discovered which ___20___ that the earth remains rich and wonderful.

Answers

1. earth   2. walked   3. reach   4. fall   5. know   6. this   7. new   8. kept   9. crossed   10. of   11. the   12. much   13. desire   14. on   15. places/lands   16. explored   17. still   18. and   19. there   20. means

Long ago people knew very little about the world. The earth was thought to be flat. Hence, if a person walked long enough in one direction, he would finally reach the edge of the world and fall off.Today, we know that the earth is not a flat rectangular block; it is round. We owe thisknowledge to the explorers who made long voyages to find new routes and discover new lands. They kept accurate records of the oceans they crossed and the strange lands they visited. From these records, they drew up a map of the world. In this way, they ended the belief of a flat world. Though we know the earth much better today, the spirit of exploration has not as a result come to an end. The desire for adventure, the urge to set foot on a wild shore and the curiosity for far-flung places/lands are still alive. Besides, not all places on earth have been fully explored. Places like deserts, mountains, oceans and polar regions still have secrets and mysteries to amaze and surprise us. It is fortunate for us that there are still many things to be discovered which means that the earth remains rich and wonderful.