Fill in the blanks with only one word

Distance learning is becoming more popular in our society. However, this system dates back

to as as 1728, when an advertisement was published seeking students who

wanted to receive lessons by regular post.

Some time , in 1858, the University of London was the first university to

offer distance-learning degrees. The largest university in the United Kingdom using this

method is the Open University. There are now many similar institutions the

world with this same name.

its primary delivery methodologies, it used television and radio. In the

twentieth century, the Internet helped to expand the system to more students.

In fact, the technology used may be divided two groups: synchronous and

asynchronous. The former allows all participants to be connected at the time

with their tutor. The offers the students the possibility of using the materials

independently, on their schedule.

Distance education provides great benefits to those cannot attend a school

because they live too far or have limited mobility. It also gives adults the

opportunity to keep learning during their free time.

For questions 1-15, read the text below and type the word which best fits in each space. Use only one word in each space.There is an example below:(0) as

Global English

Global English exists (0) ... a political and cultural reality. Many misguided theories attempt to explain why the English language should have succeeded internationally, whilst (1) ... have not. Is it because there is (2) ... inherently logical or beautiful about the structure of English? Does its simple grammar (3) ... it easy to learn? Such ideas are misconceived. Latin was once a major international language, despite having a complicated grammatical structure, and English also presents learners (4) ... all manner of real difficulties, (5) ... least its spelling system. Ease (6) ... learning, therefore, has little to (7) ... with it. (8) ... all, children learn to speak their mother tongue in approximately the same period of time, (9) ... of their language.

English has spread not so (10) ... for linguistic reasons, but rather because it has often found (11) ... in the right place, at the right time. (12) ... the 1960s, two major developments have contributed to strengthening this global status. Firstly, in a number of countries, English is now used in addition to national or regional languages. As (13) ... as this, an electronic revolution has taken (14) ... . It is estimated that (15) ... the region of 80% of worldwide electronic communication is now in English.

Complete the text using one word in each space.

The death of the High Street

It is often the case (0) that   the principal street of an English town or city is

called the High Street, and in the past it (1) have been there that people used to meet, do business and go shopping. However, over the last

few decades, Britain, (2) other developed countries, has seen

“giant” supermarkets and major new shopping centres springing (3)

on the outskirts of urban areas or in locations which are (4) reached by car and which have ample parking. The appearance of these new temples

of retailing is (5) the result and the cause of the phenomenon (6)

as the “death of the High Street”, a consequence of the fact that

town or city centres had become ever (7) inconvenient both for the

retailers themselves and for (8) customers. Once offered an alternative, shoppers and motorists were quick to flock to more modern and better-designed suburban shopping facilities, taking their business with them and so inevitably accelerating the closure of many of the smaller and most

traditional shops, (9) as butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers.

These (10) then replaced by the ubiquitous “charity shops”, small

retail outlets run (11) non-profit organisations selling second-hand

items given free by their supporters. These shops occupy (12) were formerly prime locations in the High Street, but may only pay a minimal rent,

and are staffed by volunteers to maximise the income (13) the sale of old clothes, shoes, books or ornaments which fill their shelves. In the

poorest regions of Britain (14) is not uncommon to find three, four or more charity shops in a small High Street, a situation which is convenient for

those who cannot afford to buy new, and for those who benefit (15) the various services provided by the charities, but depressing for residents who remember the lively and prosperous High Streets of the past.

Saint Patrick's Day

by Ethan Cole

Saint Patrick's Day, colloquially St. Paddy's Day Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick, one of the patron saints of Ireland.

The day is the national holiday the Irish people. It is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland, and a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Montserrat, and the Canadian province of

Newfoundland and Labrador. the rest of Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, the

United States and New Zealand, it is widely celebrated is not an official holiday.

It became a feast day in the Roman Catholic Church due the influence of the Waterford-born Franciscan scholar Luke Wadding in the early part of the 17th century, and is a holy day

of obligation Roman Catholics in Ireland.

The date of the feast is occasionally moved by church authorities March 17 falls during

Holy Week; this last happened in 1940 when Saint Patrick's Day was observed 3 April in order to avoid it coinciding with Palm Sunday, and happened again in 2008, when it was held on 15 March for the novus ordo liturgy and April 2 for the traditional Latin Mass to avoid

second day in Holy Week.

Saint Patrick's Day celebrated worldwide by Irish people and increasingly by non-Irish people, as well (usually in Australia, North America, and Ireland). Hence the phrase,

"Everyone wants to Irish on St. Patrick's Day." Celebrations are generally themed around the color green and all things Irish; both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular

version the holiday by wearing green or orange, eating Irish food and/or green foods,

imbibing Irish drink (usually Guinness), attending parades.

As well as being a celebration of Irish culture, Saint Patrick's Day is a Christian festival

celebrated in Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, and some other denominations.

The day always falls the season of Lent. Some bishops will grant an indult, or release,

from the Friday no-meat observance St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday; this is sometimes colloquially known as a "corned-beef indult". When 17 March falls on a Sunday,

church calendars (though rarely secular ones) move Saint Patrick's Day the following

Monday—and when the 17th falls during Holy Week (very rarely), the observance can moved to the previous week or all the way to April, after Easter.

In many parts of North America, Britain, and Australia expatriate Irish, of Irish descent, and ever-growing crowds of people with no Irish connections but who may proclaim

themselves "Irish for a day" also celebrate St. Patrick's Day, usually drinking larger

amounts of alcoholic beverages (lager dyed green, Irish beer and stout, such Murphys, Beamish, Smithwicks, Harp or Guinness, or Irish whiskey, Irish cider, Irish coffee, or Baileys Irish Cream) than they normally would, and by wearing green-coloured clothing. The eating

Irish soda bread ( is sold in supermarkets for the occasion, but not sold during the rest of the year except in specialty stores) is also common. Some recent American twists on

the holiday, reflecting its growing popularity among the non-Irish, are the making selling

of green bagels and popcorn on and near day.

2007 marked the first annual St. Patrick's Day parade and festival in the Scottish city of

Glasgow. Glasgow having a large Irish community, a parade was never thought

feasible to potential sectarian issues. Saint Patricks day is one of the best times in the year.

Complete the text using one word in each space.

Fast food

The concept of “fast food” is very important in English-speaking countries (0) for   one major reason: the working day starts at around the same time (1)

in European countries, but finishes (2) earlier, typically at

about five o'clock in (3) evening when the offices, banks and many of the shops begin to close. As a result, there's not much time for lunch, (4)

many people bring something from home to eat at their desks, (5)

with a cup of tea or instant coffee made with the office kettle, (6)

than going out to a restaurant for a “proper” lunch as do many

European office workers, (7) usually finish work much later in the evening.

For (8) who prefer to get out of the office to have a break or (9)

fresh air, there are the various fast food options (10) as sandwiches, Cornish pasties, burgers, kebaps, or fish and chips, many of (11)

can be eaten “on the move”, (12) even the need to sit down!Only on special occasions is a British office worker likely to eat lunch in a

restaurant. (13) someone's birthday, promotion, engagement or retirement, for example, a group of colleagues will eat together in a pub or

restaurant. It is for this reason (14) foreign visitors are often

surprised (15) the lack of affordable, good quality, places to have lunch in the major British cities.

CPE Pronouns Substitutions Print | Exit

InstructionsFill in the gap in each sentence with a pronoun.

1. There were a number of participants at the conference dinner, several of ........ were keynote speakers.

2. The old house, ........ its condition, is likely to sell quickly given the present housing market.

3. The diner complained so vociferously that the manageress ........ came out of the office to see what the problem was.

4. The party atmosphere suddenly dissipated, at ........ point I made up my mind to leave.

5. The chairman outlined his vision for the future but the chief executive argued that ........ a strategy could be detrimental to the company’s future.

6. More and more people are turning to vegetarianism which ........ say is much better for your health.

7 My therapist said I could drop in ........ I wanted to, regardless of whether I’d made an appointment or not.

8. The main reasons for quitting my job were overwork and a meagre salary. There are ........ I could mention but they were the primary factors.

CPE Articles and Determiners/Quantifiers Print | Exit

InstructionsComplete each of the following sentences with the correct article or determiner.

1. After borrowing two thousand pounds from you, the very ........ she could do is offer to pay back a little each month.

2. ........ as I hate to do this, we’ll have to cancel the party if more people don’t respond.

3. She wants to travel the world eventually but above ........ her priority is to finish her degree course.

4. John doesn’t have many friends, just a select ........, who tend to go along with everything he says.

5. Valerie and Simon can’t decide whether to make their home in France or Australia. ........ way it will mean sacrifices for one of them.

6. In England, polo is a sport that is associated with ........ rich and powerful.

7. As a junior doctor there was ........ a time when I had to seek a second opinion from my superiors before I made a diagnosis.

8. The company has had ........ of its employees taking sick leave and it has decided to crack down on absenteeism.

CPE Conjunctions and linking words or phrases Print | Exit

InstructionsComplete each of the following sentences with the correct conjunction or linking word.

1. The reviews of the play were glowing but as a ......... of fact I thought it was terrible!

2. Most people are car lovers. Even ........, cars cause enormous damage to the environment.

3. ........ most people pass their Proficiency exam first time round a number of candidates will, sadly, fail.

4. The hotel was poor, the food terrible, and we had torrential rain for the whole week. ........ short, the holiday was a disaster.

5. As far as the police were ........., they decided not to press charges against the thief this time round.

6. ........ the bank was shut all weekend they weren’t able to withdraw any cash.

7. I wouldn’t apply for that job if I were you. In ........ case the advert says you have to have a clean driving licence and you haven’t even passed your test yet.

8 Broadly ........, young people are concerned with finding a good career once they have graduated from university.

CPE Prepositional phrases and phrasal verbs Print | Exit

InstructionsFill in the gaps in each sentence with a suitable particle or preposition.

1. My boss is biased ........ me, which explains why I’ll never get promoted if I stay with this company.

2. Marco had severe misgivings ........ taking the June exam as he felt he just wasn’t ready.

3. People who eat an unhealthy diet are susceptible ........ all kinds of illnesses and diseases.

4. My cousin talked ........ length about his recent holiday and bored everyone to death!

5. When Rose was unfaithful to Joshua she threw herself ........ his mercy and asked him

to forgive her.

6. When I was younger I wanted to be an air pilot but I soon went ........ the idea when I realised I hated flying.

7. The government’s plans to reduce crime came ........ for a lot of criticism from freedom groups.

8. Anna: This problem’s driving me crazy!Joe: Well, have you tried standing ........ from the situation and evaluating it objectively?

CPE Collocations Print | Exit

InstructionsComplete each of the following sentences with the word that collocates with the words in bold.

1. Victoria has a working ........ of Chinese, which she needs for her job as an international corporate lawyer.

2. The defendant told the judge that she accepted full ........ for her actions and that she would plead guilty.

3. After William realised his mistake he was forced to ........ his pride and apologise.

4. I thought I ........ my position absolutely clear. Either he goes or I do!

5. Tanya came away from the interview with the overriding ........ that she wouldn’t get the job.

6. Although my mother’s in her seventies she is still very young at ........

7. When the shop assistant refused the customer a refund, he was met with a torrent of ........

8. The drowning boy was pulled out of the river and ........ the kiss of life by a medic.

Why Dogs Bark By Fubrus

 

Thousands of years , humans began the process of domesticating the dog and shaping what "being a dog" really means. Through careful selection and breeding, an astonishing

variety of dog breeds been created. Desirable traits have been selected for in various

breeds that are of a benefit humans. There are some traits, however, that quickly

become undesirable when expressed too frequently. Barking is example of a natural behaviour that is encouraged in terms of guarding behaviour, but becomes a problem when

the behaviour is produced in excess. A recent health insurance investigation revealed the sound of a continually barking dog was cited as the most disruptive and stress inducing

noise humans.  Why Do Dogs Bark?  

Barking, in addition to whining, howling and growling, is a dog's natural means

communication. Barking is characterized by a series of short, sharp sounds, that tend

vary little in tone or pitch. A dog's bark signify territorial protection, exertion of dominance, or expression of some need. Typically, barking is "a means of communication

triggered by a state  excitement." Being a natural trait, barking is not considered a

behavioural problem, until it is produced excess.  Causes of Problem Barking Problem barking has a variety of origins. Genetics does influence a dog's tendency to bark.

Certain breeds belonging the terrier family are prone to more frequent barking breeds such as Greyhounds or Basenjis. Generally, however, excess barking can exist in any breed of dog. The key to solving the problem of inappropriate barking is to determine what

external stimulus triggering the behaviour.  Improper confinement can be a major cause of problem barkers. Improper confinement can

include leaving a dog alone in locked room, or in a dog crate (a tool used for

housebreaking and other behavioural modifications). improper confinements can include restricted tethering outdoors, or even an enclosed yard without proper shelter from

the elements. Such confinement can cause frustration a dog and cause it to bark

excessively. Closely associated improper confinement is lack of exercise as a cause of excess barking. When a dog is not provided with adequate exercise, accumulated energy

released through barking.  

Environmental sounds can trigger barking. These sounds include such things as the barking of other dogs, the sound of passing cars, strange voices, thunder, and mechanical

noises such the ringing of the phone. Noises can initiate barking at different times of the

day. A dog may not bark at accustomed sounds the day, but at night may be incited to a volley of barking, much to the chagrin of the neighbours, by the slightest of noises.

Other causes of problem barking can include separation anxiety, or the temperament

the dog: an over-aggressive animal may bark the smallest provocation. A strongly

territorial dog may bark at any stranger, invited or uninvited, entering property.  Solutions to Excess Barking  Excess barking can be a serious behavioural problem and can mean the termination of the

relationship your dog or the dog itself if left untreated. The following text includes

information on how to solve your dog's problem barking recommended by a vet.   

The first step in solving problem barking, is to determine your dog is barking in response to inadequate shelter or improper confinement. If this is the case, the dog must be provided

with a comfortable amount space or supplied with a doghouse if outdoor shelter is

inadequate. Increasing the amount of exercise given your dog may also help.  

In the event your dog is barking response to environmental noises, or the barking is simply due to its temperament, behavioural modification methods should be used. These

methods can include reconditioning using a verbal reprimand as "No!", and leash

correction. It should be noted however, that you should never yell your dog, as loud noises may encourage your pet to bark more. Also keep in mind the punishment should be

applied while the barking is occurring, order for your dog to associate the unwanted

behaviour with the punishment. Also remember to reward your dog it stops barking.  Indirect intervention methods can also be applied. These techniques can range from

spraying your dog with water while it is barking, using noise producing devices such as

"Dog Stop" or "Barker Breaker," which emit loud  high frequency sounds that

interrupt barking. These devices can be controlled by the owner, or triggered the dog's

barking. In the event your dog is resistant to behavioural modifications, more drastic

action can be taken in the form of bark activated shock collars. device is particularly effective when barking occurs in the owner's absence. Shock collars, however, are

recommended only after other control measures failed. A final resort, when all other behavioural modification methods have been tried, and particularly when the dog's life is

question, is a vocal cordectomy (debarking). This surgical procedure involves removal of

all or part of vocal cords.  

The key to solving the problem of excess barking in your dog begins with understanding

of what is causing this behaviour. Once you have determined a cause, have a greater chance of choosing the most effective solution (e.g., more exercise) or behavioural

modification. Modifying such an instinctive and natural behaviour barking can be difficult, and may require considerable patience, time, and hard work. Solutions, however,

are possible, and worth effort.

 

FCE Open Cloze: The History Of SoapFor questions 1-12, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet below.

Example

0 A GO

The earliest soap in history was probably produced around five thousand years (0)  in Ancient Babylon. Archeologists

(1)  found ancient tablets with writing on them (2)  seem to describe a formula for making soap. (3)  the Romans

probably knew how to manufacture soap as well, (4)  is believed that they only used it (5)  washing fabrics and

actually cleaned their bodies in a totally different (6)  . An ancient Egyptian papyrus from around 1550 B.C. also refers

to soap manufacture.

The first soaps that we would recognise today were produced by Muslim chemists in the mediaeval Islamic world

around 1000 A.D. (7)  soaps were not only made from similar materials (8)  also included colouring and perfume in

some cases.

But it was not (9)  the Nineteenth Century that large-scale soap production began making a product that was cheap

(10)  for everybody to afford it. In 1862, Andrew Pears and (11)  granson, Francis opened the Pears soap factory in

Isleworth in London. Today, Pears has become (12)  of the best known brands of soap in the world.

CPE Open Cloze: Stroking SharksFor questions 1-12, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet below.

Example

0 I T

On a recent one-week diving trip in Australia, (0)________________  was suggested by the organisers of the tour that

I might like to (1)_________________  stroking one of the most fearsome beasts the Coral Sea (2) _____________

to offer. At first, our tour group, (3)______________  included, reacted with amused reluctance but we were assured,

during our usual pre-dive briefing, that (4)___________  the business of feeding was safely out of the (5)______  , it

would be perfectly safe to approach a shark while it was (6) __________ rest and actually touch it on the side of its

body. The guides insisted that (7) ________________ experienced divers, members of our group should have

(8)________________  difficulty in lowering ourselves to the sandy seabed where white-tip reef-sharks are inclined to

(9) ____________________ a rest after the exertions of the planned shark-feeding.

The feeding itself was certainly as spectacularly feral in (10)  ___________intensity as had been promised. Twenty or

so two-metre sharks convened on an underwater garden location and (11)  ___________________ turns ripping

pieces off a frozen mass of fish, lowered into the water from the dive boat above. Meanwhile, my group of amazed

divers knelt on the sandy ocean floor at a safe (12) _____________ I was able manouvre myself to within an arm's

length of one of them and cautiously reach out and touch it. And I am glad to say, I am still in possession of my right

hand.

CPE Open Cloze: PlutoFor questions 1-12, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet below.

Example

0 A F T E R

In 1930, (0)  nearly a year of painstaking work at the Lowell Observatory, (1) ____________ American astronomer,

Clyde W Tombaugh finally identified an object in the outer (2)____________  system which (3) ___________ to be

known as Pluto. He had been searching for an object (4) _____________ existence had been predicted by

extrapolating (5)  observations of changes in the shape of other planets’ orbits. To do (6) _________________

Tombaugh ended up (7)  to look through hundreds of pairs photographs taken of sections of the (8) ______________

sky at two different times in order to identify an object which appeared to change position between the (9) _______

and the second.

After the discovery, the Lowell Observatory invited (10)________________-  suggestions and soon ideas

(11) ________________ pouring in from all over the world. The name which was eventually (12) ____________ the

third criterion for planet-hood, namely that it would need to have swallowed up all other objects in or near its orbit. In

fact thousands of objects have been discovered around the orbit of Pluto and so despite massive protests from ardent

supporters, it is no longer included in the list of solar system planets.

Television used to act (0)_______ a uniquely unifying national phenomenon. Never before (1)_______ so many people had so common (2)_______ core of shared cultural experiences. People might not know the names of their next-door neighbours, (3)_______ they probably watched many of the same programmes.(4)_______ days, however, with the vast expansion of television programming, everyone can watch (5)_______ different, just as each Internet user can explore a different selection of websites. Even so, programmes aimed at international markets generally (6)_______ to be less popular (with the partial exception (7)_______ those from America) and people still often choose to watch their own national programmes. In (8)_______, if television develops along similar (9)_______to the movie business, with a few blockbusters attracting vast international audiences, people may even (10)_______ up watching a narrower range of programmes. But (11)_______ patterns of viewing habits develop, television will almost certainly become a personal (12)_______ of equipment, more (13)_______ a mobile phone than a communal source of entertainment. Armed (14)_______ a credit card and a remote control, viewers will be able to pick their programmes from wherever they choose. Television will then have become truly global. (15)_______, perhaps, will the cultural values it instils.