FCE / USE OF ENGLISH / open Cloze
For questions 1-8, read the text below and think of the word which fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap.
Sicily
Most people do not seem to realize how (1) ... Sicily has to offer. With its sun, its beige pebble (2) ... sandy beaches, its warm aqua blue water, its snow-topped volcano, Mount Etna, its forests and rolling golden hills. Sicily has always been at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, and therefore, it has always been at the centre of Mediterranean history.
Every major European royal dynasty that wanted to have power in Europe (3) ... to "own" Sicily, every major Mediterranean power has left its mark on Sicily! Important artistic, architectural and cultural remains (4) ... visible at virtually every corner in every town (5) ... this island (6) ... the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. J.W. Goethe wrote (7) ... Sicily in his book "Italiensche Reise" (Italian Journey) back in 1786: "Without Sicily, Italy cannot be fully understood. It is here one finds the key (8) ... all things.
[start-answers-block type=1 columns=3 textTransform=none]
[answer="much"]
[answer="and"] [answer="had"] ! [answer="are"][answer="on"][answer="in"][answer="about"]
[answer="to"]
[end-answers-block]
answer keys
GAP 1 (MUCH) ... seem to realize how much Sicily has to offer. With its sun, its beige pebble ...
HOW + MUCH => HOW + DETERMINER
HOW MUCH => used before an adjective or adverb to ask about the amount, degree, etc.
Common Errors:
How many does the laptop cost? X
How much does the laptop cost? V
GAP 2 (AND) ... its beige pebble and sandy beaches, its warm aqua blue water, its snow-topped volcano, ...
AND => CONJUNCTION
AND => also; in addition to.
Common Errors:
There's a beautiful and old monument in the city centre. X
There's a beautiful old monument in the city centre. V We do not use AND between two ADJECTIVES (before noun) if they don't describe similar qualities!
GAP 3 (HAD) ... power in Europe had to "own" Sicily, every major Mediterranean power has left its mark on Sicily! ...
HAD + TO => MODAL VERB
HAD TO => (PAST FORM OF HAVE TO) used to show that you must do something.
Common Errors:
I was happy that I had not to look after the children. X
I was happy that I didn't have to look after the children. V
GAP 4 (ARE) ... architectural and cultural remains are visible at virtually every corner in every town on this island ...
ARE => LINKING VERB
ARE => the present tense and plural of 'be'.
Common Errors:
On Sundays are usually a lot of concerts in the town. X
On Sundays there are usually a lot of concerts in the town. V
GAP 5 (ON) ... in every town on this island in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. J.W. Goethe ...
ON + ISLAND => PREPOSITION + PLACE
ON => in a particular place.
Common Errors:
Their house is located in the island. X
Their house is located on the island. V ON + ISLAND!
GAP 6 (IN) ... on this island in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. J.W. Goethe wrote about Sicily in his ...
IN + THE HEART OF => FIXED PHRASE
IN THE HEART OF => the part that is in the centre of something.
Common Errors:
There was a small hostel on the heart of the city. X
There was a small hostel in the heart of the city. V
GAP 7 (ABOUT) ... J.W. Goethe wrote about Sicily in his book "Italiensche Reise" (Italian Journey) back in 1786: ...
WRITE + ABOUT => VERB + PREPOSITION
WRITE ABOUT sth => to produce something in written form so that people can read, perform or use it, etc.
Common Errors:
Dear ... I write to enquire about computer courses. X
Dear... I'm writing to enquire about computer courses. V I'M WRITING => PRESENT CONTINUOUS!
GAP 8 (TO) ... one finds the key to all things. It was so powerful in the Mediterranean Sea that Athens ...
KEY + TO => NOUN + PREPOSITION
KEY TO => something that provides an explanation or solution.
Common Errors:
That man holds the key for her heart. X
That man holds the key to her heart. V THE KEY + TO something