The Netherlands

 

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

Welcome to the Netherlands, a tiny European country that only extends, at its broadest, 312 km north to south, and 264 km east to west - [so/ despite/in spite of /*although] ... the land area increases slightly each year as a [result/whole/ consequently/ rule] ... of continuous land reclamation and drainage. With a lot of heart and much to offer, 'Holland,' as it is [regularly/occasionally /*commonly/unusually] ... known to most of us abroad - a name stemming [in/*from/on/of] ... its once most prominent provinces - has more going on per kilometre than most countries, and more English-speaking natives. You'll be impressed by its [historic/ historical/ historically/ historian] ... cities and charmed by its countryside and villages, full of contrasts. From the exciting variety [at/in/*on/for] ... offer, you could choose a romantic canal boat tour in Amsterdam, a Royal Tour by coach in The Hague, or a hydrofoil tour around the biggest harbour in the world - Rotterdam. In season you could visit the dazzling bulb fields, enjoy a full day on a boat, or take a bike tour through the pancake-flat countryside spiced with windmills. The possibilities are countless and the nationwide tourist office, which is on hand to give you information and [sit/catch/do/*make] ... reservations. You'll have [*few/a few/little/a little] ... language problems here, as the Dutch are true linguists and English is spoken here almost universally.

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