FCE Multiple Choice Cloze 15 Premium

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

Corrida de Toros
The Spanish word for bullfighting is corrida de toros that can be literally translated (1) ... “running

of bulls”. Corrida spread from Spain to its Central and South American colonies, (2) ... it was

common in ancient Rome. The versions practised in Spain is different from that which prevails in

Portugal, and not simply because in the former the bull dies in the ring while in the (3) ... does not.

The (4) ... recognised image of the "matador" with a sword and a cape standing near a charging

bull is from the Spanish corrida de toros. Apart from the bull and the common ancestry of the

spectacle, the main similarity between Spanish and Portuguese bull fighting is the great (5) ... of

pump and pageantry of the event, which begin (6) ... a parade of all the participants, except the

bulls, entering the ring. In (7) ... Spanish and Portuguese bull fights, horses and horsemen (8) ...

an important role.

1. A) that B) as C) like D) from

2. A) although B) because C) despite D) unless

3. A) late B) lately C) later D) latter

4. A) broad B) high C) widely D) wide

5. A) deal B) many C) much D) number

6. A) on B) to C) in D) with

7. A) either B) neither C) both D) nor

8. A) play B) make C) take D) give

 FCE Open Cloze 15 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.

Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs were a diverse group of reptiles that lived during (1) ... of the Mesozoic Era, which is

also known as the Age of Reptiles. The first dinosaurs appeared at least 200 million years ago.

According (2) ... a new study, dinosaurs ruled and dominated the planet (3) ... many millions of

years. Then, quite suddenly, about 66 million years ago, they died out. The word dinosaur

derives (4) ... two Greek words 'deinos' (terrible) and 'sauros' (lizard).

The size of some dinosaurs was terrifying (5) ... they were really not lizards. The largest dinosaurs

were the biggest animals (6) ... to walk the Earth and weighed nearly 60 000kg, more than a

Boeing 737. The famous kinds of dinosaurs, including the tyrannosaurus rex and brontosaur

reached 80 to 90 feet in length. But not (7) ... dinosaurs were giants. The horned dinosaur

Protoceratops was the size of a sheep. To this day, scientists still do not know (8) ... caused

dinosaurs to disappear.
 FCE Word Formation 15 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.

Stainless Steel
Harry Brearley, the son of a Sheffield steel smelter, left school at the age of twelve to enter his first

employment as a labourer in his father's steelworks. He was an (1) ... chap and began to study

metallurgy at home and in evening classes. He (2) ... earned a reputation as an experienced

professional, and still in his 30s was chosen to run a new (3) ... facility funded by two of Sheffield's

largest steel companies. In 1912 Brearley was given a task by a small arms manufacturer who

wished to (4) ... the life of their gun barrels which were eroding away too quickly. He set out to

create erosion- resistant steel (not corrosion-resistant) by developing steel alloys containing

chromium. The story goes that in 1913 he threw out some (5) ... steel that contained nearly 13 per

cent of chromium. A few weeks later, he found it in the yard still (6) ... as new. This apparently

accidental discovery led to the (7) ... of the already established Sheffield's cutlery industry.

Stainless steel is now commonly used in everything from turbine blades and (8) ... instruments to

architectural cladding.

1) AMBITION

2) GRADUAL

3) SEARCH

4) LONG

5) EXPERIMENT

6) SHINE

7) TRANSFORM

8) SURGERY
 FCE Key Word Transformations 15 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) It's a pity you didn't tell Sandra the whole truth!

TOLD
You ________________________________ Sandra the whole truth.

2) You won't find a better car than this one.

WILL
Nowhere ________________________________ a better car than this one.

3) We drank all the beer before they arrived.

ALREADY
By the time they arrived, we________________________________ all the beer.

4) Is Peter a native Englishman?

COME
Does ________________________________ England?

5) Someone stole my car while I was visiting my friends.

HAD
I ________________________________ while I was visiting my friends.

6) John didn't play well so he lost the match.

WOULDN'T
If John hadn't played so badly he ________________________________ the match.
KEY EX 1

GAP 1 (AS) ... can be literally translated as “running of bulls”. Corrida spread from Spain to its Central and
South ...↑_ _ _ _↑
TRANSLATED + AS => VERB + PREPOSITION
TRANSLATED sth/sb AS sth => to change written or spoken words into another language.
Common Errors:
‘Suisse’ had been wrongly translateds like ‘Sweden’. X
‘Suisse’ had been wrongly translateds as ‘Sweden’. V TRANSLATED AS => to change written or spoken words into another language!

GAP 2 (ALTHOUGH) ... and South American colonies, although it was common in ancient Rome. The versions
...↑ _ _ _ _ ↑
ALTHOUGH + VERB
ALTHOUGH => (CONJUNCTION) expresses the idea of contrast.
ALTHOUGH + SUBJECT + VERB
Common Errors:
Although the rain, we had the picnic. X ALTHOUGH cannot be followed by a noun!
Although it was raining, we had the picnic. V ALTHOUGH must be followed by a subject and a verb!

GAP 3 (LATTER) ... in the former the bull dies in the ring while in the latter it does not The (4) ... recognised
...↑_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _↑
THE FORMER ... THE LATTER => SEQUENCING
THE FORMER, ... THE LATTER => first-mentioned of two ... last-mentioned of two.
Common Errors:
Alf, Nutt and Ozzy are my favourite pets; the former being my cat and the latter being my dogs. X
Alf and Ozzy are my favourite pets; the former being my cat and the latter being my dog. V It can only be used in
reference to two people or things!

GAP 4 (WIDELY) ... it does not. The widely recognised image of the "matador" with a sword and a cape
standing close ...↑_ _ _ _ _↑
WIDELY + RECOGNISED => COLLOCATION
WIDELY RECOGNISED => generally accepted that that person or thing has a particular position or quality.
Other Collocations:
WIDELY AVAILABLE, WIDELY REGARDED, TRAVEL WIDELY, WIDELY READ, WIDELY ACCEPETED,
WIDELY USED.

GAP 5 (DEAL) ... bull fighting is the great deal of pump and pageantry of the event, which begin ...↑ _ _ _ _↑
GREAT + DEAL + OF => FIXED PHRASE
GREAT DEAL OF => a large quantity of something.
Other Fixed Phrases and Idioms:
A ROUGH/RAW DEAL => unfair treatment.
BIG DEAL => an important or exciting event or situation.
WHAT'S THE DEAL? => what is happening in the present situation?

GAP 6 (WITH) ... event, which begin with a parade of all the participants, except the bulls, entering the ring ...↑_
_↑
BEGIN + WITH => VERB + PREPOSITION
BEGIN WITH => to start doing something; to do the first part of something.
Common Errors:
Each chapter begins from a quotation. X
Each chapter begins with a quotation. V BEGIN + WITH!

GAP 7 (BOTH) ... bulls, entering the ring. In both Spanish and Portuguese bull fights, horses and ...↑_ _ _ _ _ _
_↑
BOTH ... AND ... => CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION
BOTH ... AND ... => used before two words or phrases connected with and to stress that each is included.
Common Errors:
Both Carol and Marion is attending the course. X
Both Carol and Marion are attending the course. V PLURAL VERB FORM!
GAP 8 (PLAY) ... and Spanish bull fights, horses and horsemen play an important role ...↑_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ↑
PLAY + A + ROLE => COLLOCATION
PLAY A ROLE (in something) => to have an effect on something.
Other Fixed Phrases and Idioms:
PLAY TRICKS (ON YOU) => to trick somebody for fun.
PALY FOR TIME => to try to make something happen later instead of sooner.
PLAY SECOND FIDDLE => to be in a lower position or rank than someone else.

KEY EX 2

GAP 1 (MOST) ... that lived during most of the Mesozoic Era, which is also known as the Age of Reptiles. ...↑_
_↑
MOST + OF => DETERMINER
MOST OF => nearly all of the people or things in a group, or nearly all of something.
Common Errors:
The most of these students speak English. X We use MOST (not THE MOST) when you mean NEARLY ALL!
Most of these students speak English. V

GAP 2 (TO) ... million years ago. According to a new study, dinosaurs ruled and dominated the planet for many
millions ...↑_ _ _ _ ↑
ACCORDING + TO => PREPOSITION
ACCORDING TO => as stated or reported by somebody/something.
Common Errors:
According to me, it's a great movie. X You should use IN MY OPINION!
According to David, it's a great film. V

GAP 3 (FOR) ... dominated the planet for many millions of years. Then, quite suddenly, about 66 million years
ago, they ...↑_ _ _
FOR => PREPOSITION
FOR => used to show a length of time.
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 (FROM) ... The word dinosaur derives from two Greek words 'deinos' (terrible) and 'sauros' (lizard). ...↑_
_ _↑
DERIVE FROM => VERB + PREPOSITION
DERIVE FROM => to have something as an origin.
Common Errors:
This word derives of Latin. X
This word derives from Latin. V DERIVE + FROM

GAP 5 (BUT) ... dinosaurs was terrifying but they were really not lizards. The largest dinosaurs were the ...↑_ _
__
BUT => CONJUNCTION
BUT => used to introduce a word or phrase that contrasts with what was said before.
Common Errors:
Although I enjoyed the party, but I was glad to come home. X Do not use two CONJUNCTIONS to join two clauses!
I enjoyed the party, but I was glad to come home. V

GAP 6 (EVER) ... the biggest animals ever to walk the Earth and weighed nearly 60 000kg, more than a Boeing
737 ...↑_ _ _ _
EVER => ADVERB
EVER => used for emphasis when making comparisons with the past.
Common Errors:
She was the most beautiful girl that I had ever met before. X
She was the most beautiful girl that I had ever met. V
GAP 7 (ALL) ... reached 80 to 90 feet in length. But not all dinosaurs were giants. The horned dinosaur
Protoceratops was ...↑_ _ _ _↑
ALL + PLURAL NOUN
ALL => the whole number of.
Common Errors:
They all are going to Prague during the holidays. X
They are all going to Prague during the holidays. V

GAP 8 (WHAT) ... To this day, scientists still do not know what caused dinosaurs to disappear. ...↑_ _ _ _
WHAT => PRONOUN
WHAT => used to ask for information or for someone's opinion.
Common Errors:
I don't know which to do next. X
I don't know what to do next. V

KEY EX 3

GAP 1 (AMBITIOUS) ... steelworks. He was an ambitious chap and started to study metallurgy at home and
...↑_ _ _ _
AMBITION => AMBITIOUS | NOUN => ADJECTIVE
OUS => SUFFIX (IN ADJECTIVES) having the nature or quality of. (POISONOUS/MARVELLOUS/FABULOUS)
Root Words
1). She was the kind of friend who was so ambitiously motivated about her goals. AMBITIOUS + LY => ADVERB
2). They were very ambitious for their children. AMBITI(ON) + OUS => ADJECTIVE
3). It was an unambitious plan, probably reflecting the need for economy. UN + AMBITI(ON) + OUS => ADJECTIVE

GAP 2 (GRADUALLY) ... evening classes. He gradually earned a reputation as an experienced professional, and still in
his 30s ...↑_ _ _ _
GRADUAL => GRADUALLY | ADJECTIVE => ADVERB
LY => SUFFIX (IN ADVERBS) in a specified manner. (VIRTUALLY/SADLY/SLOWLY)
Root Words
1). John is a Harvard graduate. GRAD(E)U + ATE => NOUN
2). After graduation Maria returned to Spain. GRADUAT(E) + ION => NOUN
3). She gradually became aware of an awful smell. GRADUAL + LY => ADVERB
GAP 3 (RESEARCH) ... chosen to run a new research facility funded by two of Sheffield's largest steel companies ...↑_ _ _
_
SEARCH => RESEARCH | VERB => NOUN
RE => PREFIX (IN VERBS, NOUNS) again in a better way. (REDO/REUNITE/REDECORATE)
Root Words
1). She is working on cancer research. RE + SEARCH => NOUN
2). Researchers conducted telephone interviews with over 7,000 members of public. RE + SEARCH + ER => NOUN
3). He avoided her long searching look. SEARCH + ING => ADJECTIVE
GAP 4 (PROLONG) ... who wished to prolong the life of their gun barrels which were eroding away too quickly ...↑_ _ _ _
LONG => PROLONG | ADJECTIVE => VERB
PRO => PREFIX (IN VERBS) before in time or position, anterior, forward. (PROCEEDE/PROLOGUE/PRODUCE)
Root Words
1). The river is 600 kilometres in length. LONG => LENGTH (INTERNAL CHANGE)
2). Could you lengthen this skirt for me? LENGTH + EN => VERB
3). The city lies at longitude 14° west. LONG + ITUDE => NOUN
GAP 5 (EXPERIMENTAL) ... threw out some experimental steel that contained nearly 13 per cent of chromium. A few
...↑_ _ _ _
EXPERIMENT => EXPERIMENTAL | NOUN => ADJECTIVE
AL => SUFFIX (IN ADJECTIVES) connected with. (MAGICAL//GEOGRAPHICAL/FICTIONAL).
Root Words
1). This theory can be confirmed experimentally. EXPERIMENTAL + LY => ADVERB
2). The equipment is still at the experimental stage. EXPERIMENT + AL => ADJECTIVE
3). He performs chemical experiments. EXPERIMENT => NOUN
GAP 6 (SHINY) ... it in the yard still shiny as new. This apparently accidental discovery led to the ...↑_ _ _ _
SHINE => SHINY | VERB => ADJECTIVE
Y => SUFFIX (IN ADJECTIVES) having the qualities of something. (DUSTY/MUDDY/RUNNY)
Root Words
1). She had shining black hair. SHIN(E) + ING => ADJECTIVE
2). George has bought a shiny black car. SHIN(E) + Y => ADJECTIVE
3). Nothing like a little shininess to make things look expensive. SHIN(E)I + NESS => NOUN
GAP 7 (TRANSFORMATION) ... discovery led to the transformation of the already established Sheffield's cutlery ...↑_ _
__
TRANSFORM => TRANSFORMATION | VERB => NOUN
ATION => SUFFIX (IN NOUNS) the action or process of doing something.
(FASCINATION/PROVOCATION/DECORATION)
Root Words
1). The car industry has undergone a dramatic transformation. TRANSFORM + ATION => NOUN
2). It was an event that would transform my life. TRANSFORM => VERB
3). Do you happen to know how to repair this faulty transformer? TRANFORM + ER => NOUN
GAP 8 (SURGICAL) ... from turbine blades and surgical instruments to architectural cladding. ...↑_ _ _ _
SURGERY => SURGICAL | NOUN => ADJECTIVE
ICAL => SUFFIX (IN ADJECTIVES) another form of the suffix -IC. (HISTORICAL/PRACTICAL/SATIRICAL)
Root Words
1). He required surgery on his left leg. SURGE + RY => NOUN
2). Andy is a heart surgeon. SURGE + ON => NOUN
3). The lumps will need to be surgically removed. SURGICAL + LY => ADVERB

KEY EX 4

ANSWERS 1: SHOULD HAVE TOLD

CRITICISM (PAST)
SHOULD + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
Similar Conversions
You should hurry up. => You ought to hurry up. SHOULD => OUGHT TO
She shouldn't get on my nerves. => She had better not get on my nerves. SHOULDN'T => HAD BETTER NOT
You should avoid drinking alcohol. => It would be a good idea to avoid drinking alcohol. SHOULD => WOULD BE A
GOOD IDEA TO

ANSWERS 2: ELSE WILL YOU FIND

INVERSION
When we begin a sentence with a negative adverb or adverbial phrase, we sometimes have to change the
usual word order of subject and verb often using an auxiliary verb. We use inversion after (under no
circumstances, seldom, never, nowhere, not only etc.)
Similar Conversions
She little knew about my real problem. => Little did she know about my real problem. INVERSION => after LITTLE with
a negative meaning
You shouldn't trust Mike on any account. => On no account should you trust Mike. INVERSION => after ON NO
ACCOUNT

ANSWERS 3: HAD ALREADY DRUNK | 'D ALREADY DRUNK

PAST PERFECT
BY THE TIME + PAST SIMPLE + PAST PERFECT
Common Errors:
By the time Martha had finished her studies, she was in London for over eight years. X
By the time Martha finished her studies, she had been in London for over eight years. V BY THE TIME + PAST
SIMPLE + PAST PERFECT
ANSWERS 4: PETER COME FROM
QUESTION(PRESENT SIMPLE)
IS ... /DOES ...
Similar Conversions
What is the length of this river? => How long is this river? WHAT IS THE + NOUN => HOW + ADJECTIVE + IS
Who owns that car? => Who does that car belong to? WHO + VERB => WHO + AUXILIARY VERB + VERB
For what other purpose can this be used? => What else can this be used for? FOR WHAT => WHAT ... FOR

ANSWERS 5: HAD MY CAR STOLEN

CAUSATIVE => HAVE + OBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE
Similar Conversions
She paid the mechanic to repair the car. => She had the car repaired. PAST SIMPLE
I am going to ask them to send me the documents. => I am going to have the documents sent. GOING TO
A repairman has fixed our TV. => We have had our TV fixed. PRESENT PERFECT

ANSWERS 6: WOULDN'T HAVE LOST

THIRD CONDITIONAL
IF + PAST PERFECT + FUTURE PERFECT IN THE PAST
Common Errors:
If John wouldn't have fallen ill, they had visited us. X
If John hadn't fallen ill, they would have visited us. V IF + PAST PERFECT + FUTURE PERFECT IN THE PAST