CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH examinations / PROFICIENCY EXAM / CPE / USE OF ENGLISH / Multiple Choice Cloze
For questions 1- 8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.
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Brexit
Britain is … [embarking/undertaking/commencing/setting] on the most dramatic and perilous period in its peace-time history. Soon the electorate will be asked in a plebiscite to answer the question: 'Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?' On their answer ... [hangs/suspends/keeps/clings] the future of the UK, the continued presence of Scotland in a common state with England and the future of the world's longest-existing major party of government, the Conservative Party. It is impossible to overestimate the stakes. If Britain votes to stay in the UE, the last twenty-five years of anti-European agitation which has given ... [rise/out/away/raise] to new parties and which has had a major impact ... [on/with/for/to] public opinion will have been shown to be a ... [dead/hind/loose/low] end. The Eurosceptic era and movement which was ... [unleashed/discharged/unchained/dismissed] following Margaret Thatcher's departure from office a quarter of century ago will ... [come/reach/move/go] to an end. A new era of British politics with the nation having voted to remain part of an integrated Europe will begin. Euroscepticism will not disappear, but a decision to stay in the EU will be a decisive ... [blow/bash/hit/blast] for those campaigning against Europe.
[answer-table]
ANSWER KEYS
PHRASAL VERB | EMBARK ON |
To start to do something new or difficult: She is about to embark on a diplomatic career. |
PHRASAL VERB | HANG ON |
To depend on something: Everything hangs on the result of the last race. |
PHRASE | GIVE RISE TO |
To make something happen or begin, especially something unpleasant or unexpected: The remark about an election inevitably gave rise to widespread speculation. |
IDIOM | HAVE AN IMPACT ON STH |
To leave an impression on someone or something: The sharp change in interest rates had an impact on the housing market. |
PHRASE | A DEAD END |
A situation in which no progress can be made: Negotiators have reached a dead end in their attempts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. |
VERB | UNLEASH |
To suddenly let a strong force, emotion, etc. be felt or have an effect: The government's proposals unleashed a storm of protest in the press. |
PHRASE | COME TO AN END |
To finish: When the war finally came to an end, Europe was in ruins. |
COLLOCATION | A DECISIVE BLOW |
An event that spoils your chances of success: The fight ended with a decisive blow. |