CPE Multiple Choice Cloze

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

The Concept of Evolution

Charles Darwin did not invent the concept of evolution. When he was a student in Edinburgh in the late 1820's, evolution was already the (1) ... of the town. But evolution was rejected by the establishment. Those who (2) ... to evolutionary thinking were called Lamarckists, after the French scientist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, who was the first to propose that species are not static, but change over time and give (3) ... to new species. Lamarck had offered this (4) ... in a book published in 1809. He did not, however, propose a correct mechanism for (5) ... species change into each other. The mechanism was discovered first by Charles Darwin and independently by Alfred Russel Wallace. From reading the economist Thomas Malthus, Darwin was aware of the consequences of (6) ... growing populations. Once resources become limiting only a (7) ... of individuals can survive. Darwin was also an (8) ... observer of animal breeders. He analysed their methods and studied their results. Slowly he understood that nature like a gigantic breeder.

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ANSWERS

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TALK
IDIOM BE THE TALK OF THE TOWN
To be what everyone is talking about:
The new statue in the park is the talk of the town.
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ADHERED
PHRASAL VERB ADHERE TO
To follow a particular set of beliefs or a fixed way of doing something:
His followers adhere to a blend of Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian teachings.
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RISE
IDIOM GIVE RISE TO STH
To cause something to happen or exist:
The plan has given rise to various problems.
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PERSPECTIVE
NOUN PERSPECTIVE
A particular attitude towards something; a way of thinking about something:
You can call it brave or foolish, depending on your perspective.
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HOW
ADVERB HOW
Used to ask or talk about the way in which something happens or is done:
We both used to work at the office - that's how we met.
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EXPONENTIALLY
ADVERB EXPONENTIALLY
In a way that becomes faster and faster:
The ability of humanity to destroy is now exponentially higher.
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FRACTION
PHRASE A FRACTION OF
A small part or amount of something:
Her investment is now worth only a fraction of its original value.
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ARDENT
COLLOCATION ARDENT OBSERVER
Showing strong positive feelings about an activity and determination to succeed at it:
Jim is an ardent football supporter.
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