CPE Open Cloze

Index
For questions 1-8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space. You can use the "?" button to get a clue but by doing so you will lose points. EXAM DESCRIPTION

The Badger

The Badger's legs are so short, that its belly seems to touch the ground ; this, however, is but a deceitful appearance, as it is caused by the length of the hair, which is very long all (1) ... the body, and makes it seem much more bulky than it really is. It is a solitary, stupid animal, that finds refuge remote (2) ... man, and digs itself a deep hole with great assiduity. It seems to avoid the light, and seldom quits its retreat by day, only stealing (3)... at night to find subsistence.

It burrows in the ground very easily, its legs (4) ... short and strong, and its claws stiff and horny. As it continues to bury itself, it throws the earth behind it, to a great distance, and thus forms to itself a winding hole, at the bottom of (5) ... it remains in safety. As the fox is not (6) ... expert at digging into the earth, it often (7) ... possession of that which has been quitted by the badger, and some say, forces it from its retreat, by laying its excrements (8) ... the mouth of the badger's hole.

1) 2) 3)
4) 5) 6)
7) 8)

ANSWERS


OVER
PHRASE ALL OVER
In or on all or most parts of something:
We've travelled all over the world.

FROM
ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION REMOTE FROM
Far away from places where other people live :
She'd chosen a spot that looked as remote from any road as possible.

OUT
VERB + PREPOSITION STEAL OUT
To move secretly and quietly so that other people do not notice you :
Alan stole out of the room so as not to wake the baby.

BEING
VERB BEING
Used to give the reason for something:
You can't expect them to sit still for that long, children being what they are.

WHICH
PREPOSITION + RELATIVE PRONOUN OF WHICH
Used after a noun to show what thing or things you mean:
Before us we could see a forest orchid of which there are many varieties.

SO
ADVERB SO
To such a great degree:
He spoke so quietly I could hardly hear him.

TAKES
COLLOCATION TAKES POSSESSION OF
Take possession of something => get and start using.
She didn't take possession of the yacht until three days after the auction.

AT
PREPOSITION OF PLACE AT THE MOUTH OF
Used to say where something/somebody is or where something happens:
How many people were there at the meeting?
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