the spirit of Alaska
For questions 1-8, read the text below and think of the word which fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap.
One of the greatest things about Alaska is (1) ... it takes the term casual to new heights. While the state has highly cultivated enclaves, (2) ... as Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, and Juneau, the state capital (population 31,000), for the most part Alaskans are down-to -earth people. They're friendly bunch, more comfortable in Carhartts and cutoffs (3) ... cashmere and corduroy. The arts thrive, not only in the larger cities (4) ... also in the small towns. In their own strong spirited way.
Alaskans embrace their independence and refuse (5) ... be stereotyped. They'll have a sold-out opera, but only half will dress (6) ... . There (7) ... ultra-fancy restaurants, but they'll entertain kids with smiles on their faces. For visitors, this translates into a vacation completely devoid (8) ... stress. Wear your evening gown if you like - it doesn't matter if it's to the local ballgame or burger joint. Anything goes.
[start-answers-block type=1 columns=3 textTransform=none]
[answer="that"]
[answer="such"] [answer="than"] ! [answer="but"][answer="to"][answer="up"][answer="are"]
[answer="of"]
[end-answers-block]
ANSWERS
GAP 1 (THAT) ... things about Alaska is that it takes the term casual to new heights. While the state ...
THAT => CONJUNCTION
THAT => used to introduce a clause that is the subject or object of a verb.
Common Errors:
The reason for her absence is which she is ill. X
The reason for her absence is that she is ill. V
GAP 2 (SUCH) ... highly cultivated enclaves, such as Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, and Juneau, the state capital ...
SUCH + AS => FIXED PHRASE
SUCH AS => used to introduce an example or series of examples.
Common Errors:
Chris has many hobbies, such like football, basketball, and running. X
Chris has many hobbies, such as football, basketball, and running. V COMMA + SUCH AS + SERIES OF EXAMPLES!
GAP 3 (THAN) ... more comfortable in Carhartts and cutoffs than cashmere and corduroy. The arts thrive, not only ...
MORE + ADJECTIVE + THAN => COMPARISON
THAN => (CONJUNCTION) used to introduce the second part of a comparison.
Common Errors:
I'm older from her. X
I'm older than her. V We use THAN when we compare two things!
GAP 4 (BUT) ... arts thrive, not only in the larger cities but also in the small towns. In their own strong ...
NOT ONLY ... BUT ALSO ... => CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTION
NOT ONLY ... BUT ALSO ... => in addition to being or doing something.
Common Errors:
He's not only funny but also he has intelligence. X
He's not only funny but also intelligent. V NOT ONLY + ADJECTIVE + BUT ALSO + ADJECTIVE!
GAP 5 (TO) ... embrace their independence and refuse to be stereotyped. They'll have a sold-out opera, but ...
REFUSE + TO + INFINITIVE => VERB PATTERN
TO => used to indicate that the following verb is in the infinitive form.
Common Errors:
They refuse accepting the truth. X
They refuse to accept the truth. V REFUSE + TO + INFINITIVE!
GAP 6 (UP) ... opera, but only half will dress up. There are ultra-fancy restaurants, but they'll entertain kids ...
DRESS + UP => PHRASAL VERBS
DRESS UP => to put on or wear formal clothes.
Common Errors:
Does she need to dress for the party up? X
Does she need to dress up for the party? V
GAP 7 (ARE) ... only half will dress up. There are ultra-fancy restaurants, but they'll entertain kids with smiles on their ...
THERE + BE => PRONOUN + AUXILIARY VERB
THERE ARE => used to show that something exists or happens.
Common Errors:
There was twenty pupils in the classroom. X
There were twenty pupils in the classroom. V If the NOUN after BE is plural, the VERB is plural!
GAP 8 (OF) ... into a vacation completely devoid of stress. Wear your evening gown if you like - it doesn't ...
DEVOID + OF => ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION
DEVOID OF => completely lacking in something.
Common Errors:
The planet seems to be completely devoid from life. X
The planet seems to be completely devoid of life. V DEVOID is always followed by OF!