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

Spanish Wildlife

Spanish animal life, as throughout Europe, has been (1) ... to the devastating changes instituted by man. Many species have disappeared because of over-hunting and loss of habitat, while others (2) ... to survival in (3) ... small numbers. Spain, with more natural spaces than anywhere else in Western Europe, is often the last (4) ... for species such as the brown bear and pardel lynx. Ironically, shifting demographics and infrastructure have proven disastrous for some Spain's species, while beneficial for others. The Iberian lynx, which once ranged as far as the north coast of the Mediterranean, is now down (5) ... an estimated three breeding pairs in the southern mountains of Spain. (6) ... , the brown bear, known for its laziness in reproducing, has dwindled to fewer than 100, the result of lost habitats. On the (7) ... , there has been a steady migration of people from the country to the cities of Spain over the last 30 years. As the countryside has been left devoid (8) ... people, vegetation in areas previously devoted to agriculture has returned and such prey species as Iberian wolves, roe der and wild boar have increased significantly.

  1. A) bent B) partial C) tenable D) prone
  2. A) cling B) clutch C) embrace D) grip
  3. A) preciously B) precautionary C) prominently D) precariously
  4. A) castle B) fortification C) bastion D) manor
  5. A) with B) to C) under D) on
  6. A) Alternatively B) Likewise C) Otherwise D) Meanwhile
  7. A) contrary B) point C) run D) flipside
  8. A) of B) from C) to D) off

ANSWERS

show hide answer 1
PRONE
ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION BE PRONE TO
Likely to suffer from something or to do something bad:
Some flowers are very prone to disease.
show hide answer 2
CLING
VERB + PREPOSITION CLING TO
To try very hard to keep something:
The Prime Minister is still clinging to power.
show hide answer 3
PRECARIOUSLY
ADVERB PRECARIOUSLY
In a way that is not safe or certain:
The economy is precariously close to recession.
show hide answer 4
BASTION
PHRASE LAST BASTION
Something that keeps a belief or a way of life that is disappearing or threatened:
These clubs are the last bastions of male privilege.
show hide answer 5
TO
ADVERB DOWN TO
At or towards a level or amount that is less:
Michael cut his report down to only four pages.
show hide answer 6
LIKEWISE
LINKING WORD LIKEWISE (formal)
Used to introduce a point similar or related to one just made:
The banks advise against sending cash. Likewise, sending British cheques may cause problems.
show hide answer 7
FLIPSIDE
PHRASE ON THE FLIPSIDE
Another aspect of a situation:
On the flip side, if we lower the taxes it may stimulate consumer spending.
show hide answer 8
OF
ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION DEVOID OF
Completely lacking in something:
The letter was devoid of warmth and feeling.
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