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Cloze Test

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank. Lo

Reading Comprehension

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Located 10 miles off Scotland’s north-eastern coast, the Orkney islands are a treasure trove of history. When I visited one of Orkney’s famous prehistoric (1), the Maeshowe tomb, my first impression was of an unremarkable green mound (2)____ by a ditch.
Despite its appearance, this 5,000-year-old (3)____ place is actually a masterpiece of (4)_______ design and engineering, and a testament (5)____ the skill of Orkney’s prehistoric residents. That’s because, (6)______ around three weeks either side of the winter solstice (which takes (7)______ on 21 or 22 December each year), visitors have the chance to see something truly magical (8)_____ here.
During this time of year, the narrow passage into the (9)______ becomes more than just an entrance: it was deliberately designed (10)______ with the setting of the midwinter sun. Just as the last rays start to disappear – which is at around 15:10 at this deepest, darkest time of midwinter – a shaft of light creeps down the passageway, slips across the floor of the tomb and illuminates the back wall like a golden, glowing doorway to another world.

1) Question

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 1.

scenes

sights

seats

sites

Solution

Correct option is D

The word that best fits the blank is ‘sites’, making the phrase “famous prehistoric sites” correct and meaningful.
• ‘Sites’ refers to locations where important activities or events have occurred, particularly in historical or archaeological contexts.
• In this context, “Maeshowe tomb” is a prehistoric archaeological site, making “sites” the correct word.
Meanings of other options:
• ‘Scenes’: Refers to views or parts of a play/movie – incorrect.
• ‘Sights’: Refers to something worth seeing, but less appropriate than ‘sites’ in historical context.
• ‘Seats’: Refers to places to sit – irrelevant here.
Hence, ‘sites’ fits the context of prehistoric locations.

2) Question

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 2.

surrounds

surround

surrounding

surrounded

Solution

Correct option is D

The correct form is ‘surrounded’, as it follows the noun phrase “an unremarkable green mound.”
• “Surrounded by a ditch” is a passive construction where “mound” is the subject and “ditch” is doing the surrounding.
• ‘Surrounded’ (past participle) correctly forms the passive phrase here.
Other options:
• ‘Surrounds’: Active verb, does not fit grammatically.
• ‘Surround’: Base form of verb – incorrect in passive voice.
• ‘Surrounding’: Present participle, doesn’t fit the sentence structure.
So, “surrounded by a ditch” is the correct and grammatically suitable phrase.

3) Question

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 3.

burying

burial

burry

buried

Solution

Correct option is B

The appropriate word is ‘burial’ – making the phrase “burial place.”
• ‘Burial’ is a noun meaning the act or process of burying a dead body.
• The phrase “burial place” refers to a tomb or grave, which suits the context perfectly.
Incorrect options:
• ‘Burying’: Present participle, not a suitable noun form.
• ‘Burry’: Incorrect spelling; not a valid form.
• ‘Buried’: Past participle, needs a subject – incorrect here.
Therefore, “burial” is grammatically and contextually accurate.

4) Question

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 4.

chronological

historical

ancient

antiquated

Solution

Correct option is C

The correct adjective here is ‘ancient’, forming the phrase “ancient design and engineering.”
• ‘Ancient’ refers to something very old or from a distant past, suitable for a 5,000-year-old structure.
Other options:
• ‘Chronological’: Related to sequence of time – not appropriate.
• ‘Historical’: Refers to history but doesn’t describe the design itself.
• ‘Antiquated’: Means outdated – has a negative connotation.
So, ‘ancient’ is the most appropriate and context-fitting term.

5) Question

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 5.

to

on

by

at

Solution

Correct option is A

The preposition ‘to’ is correct in the phrase “a testament to the skill.”
• The expression “a testament to something” means proof or evidence of something.
Incorrect options:
• ‘On’: Incorrect phrase structure.
• ‘By’: Used for agency or doer, not suitable here.
• ‘At’: Does not fit with “testament.”
Therefore, “a testament to the skill” is the correct and common expression in English.

6) Question

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 6.

about

for

in

with

Solution

Correct option is B

The correct preposition is ‘for’, resulting in the phrase “for around three weeks either side of the winter solstice.”
• ‘For’ is used to express duration of time, which fits this context well.
Other options:
• ‘About’: Implies approximation but not suitable before a duration phrase with “either side.”
• ‘In’: Doesn’t convey the correct duration or timeframe.
• ‘With’: Does not fit the time-related structure.
Hence, “for around three weeks” is grammatically and contextually correct.

7) Question

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 7.

room

abode

place

home

Solution

Correct option is C

The correct word is ‘place’, completing the phrase “takes place on 21 or 22 December.”
• The idiom “takes place” means “happens” or “occurs” and is the correct usage here.
Meanings of other options:
• ‘Room’: Refers to space or a chamber – doesn’t fit the idiomatic structure.
• ‘Abode’: A place of residence – contextually irrelevant.
• ‘Home’: Also refers to dwelling – inappropriate in this context.
Thus, “takes place” is the fixed and correct expression.

8) Question

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 8.

occur

arise

perform

retire

Solution

Correct option is A

The correct word is ‘occur’, forming the phrase “something truly magical occur here.”
• The verb ‘occur’ means ‘to happen’ or ‘take place’, which fits with the idea of a magical event happening.
Other options:
• ‘Arise’: Suggests a situation coming up, but not suitable for planned phenomena.
• ‘Perform’: Involves action by a person, which doesn’t fit the context.
• ‘Retire’: Means to withdraw – irrelevant here.
Thus, “magical occur here” makes the sentence contextually complete and grammatically accurate.

9) Question

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 9.

grave

memorial

tomb

graveyard

Solution

Correct option is C

The word ‘tomb’ is the most suitable noun here, making the phrase “the passage into the tomb.”
• A ‘tomb’ is an enclosed burial space, matching the subject of Maeshowe in the passage.
Other options:
• ‘Grave’: Too general; a simple burial spot, not necessarily enclosed.
• ‘Memorial’: A structure in memory of someone, doesn’t indicate a burial space.
• ‘Graveyard’: Refers to a collection of graves – not a single structure.
Therefore, “tomb” best fits the passage’s meaning and context.

10) Question

Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 10.

align

aligned

aligning

to align

Solution

Correct option is D

The correct option is ‘to align’, completing the phrase “designed to align with the setting sun.”
• ‘To align’ is an infinitive form, used after ‘designed’ to express purpose.
Incorrect options:
• ‘Align’: Base form without ‘to’ – grammatically incomplete.
• ‘Aligned’: Past participle, used in passive constructions – doesn’t express purpose.
• ‘Aligning’: Present participle, not suitable after ‘designed’.
So, “designed to align” is the proper and grammatical construction.