CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH EXAMINATIONS / CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY EXAM / CPE / 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.

 

Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) is widely considered to be one of the pre-eminent classical music figures of the Western world. This German musical genius created numerous works that are firmly entrenched (1) ... the repertoire. Except (2) ... a weakness in composing vocal and operatic music (to which he himself admitted, notwithstanding a few vocal works like the opera "Fidelio" and the song "Adelaide,"), Beethoven (3) ... complete mastery of the art form. He left his stamp in 9 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 10 violin sonatas, 32 piano sonatas, numerous string quartets and dozens of other key works.
It is difficult to (4) ... up briefly what his musical works represent or symbolize, since taken (5) ... they encompass a vast system of thought. Generally, however, those (6) ... apprehend his music sense that (7) ... reflects their own personal yearnings and sufferings. It egoistically, and always intelligently, "discusses" with its listener his or her feelings in the (8) ... of personal failure and personal triumph, from the lowest depths of despair to the highest heights of happy or triumphant fulfilment.

[start-answers-block type=1 columns=3 textTransform=none]

[answer="in"]

[answer="for"] [answer="had#showed#gained#achieved#demonstrated"] ! [answer="sum"][answer="together"][answer="who"][answer="it"]

[answer="wake"]

[end-answers-block]

 

 

 

 

 

 

answer keys

 

1)    IN
ADJECTIVE + PREPOSITION ENTRENCHED IN
Strongly established and not likely to change – often used to show disapproval:
Sexism is deeply entrenched in our society.
 
2)    FOR
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE EXCEPT FOR
Used for introducing the only person, thing, or fact that is not included in your main statement:
She was dressed all in black except for a white lace collar.
 
3)    HAD/SHOWED/GAINED/ACHIEVED/DEMONSTRATED
COLLOCATION HAVE MASTERY OF SOMETHING
Have thorough understanding or great skill: 
She has complete mastery of her instrument.
 
4)    SUM
PHRASAL VERB SUM UP
To give a summary of something: 
I'll sum up briefly and then we'll take questions.
 
5)    TOGETHER
PHRASE TAKEN TOGETHER
so that two or more things touch or are joined to or combined with each other:
Taken together, these factors are highly significant.
 
6)    WHO
RELATIVE PRONOUN WHO
Used after a noun or pronoun to show which group of people you are talking about:
Subscribers who are interested in joining the discussion group should contact the secretary.
 
7)    IT
PRONOUN IT
Used to refer to a fact or situation that is already known or happening:
When the factory closes, it will mean 500 people losing their jobs.
 
8)    WAKE
IDIOM IN THE WAKE OF SOMETHING
Coming after or following somebody/something:
Famine followed in the wake of the drought.