- A _____________ the wedding guests ___________ sitting and playing cards.   Few of / were.

- A 100-year-old woman is taking IT classes in an attempt to understand technology, as she did not have a chance to familiarize with it when she was a primary school teacher. Margaret Griffiths, from Ynyshir, Rhondda, said she joined the weekly classes to keep her mind active and "move with the times." She said she made a promise to herself to learn something new every day. "I spent my life in the world of education, and I am still learning to this day. I have never stopped," she said. (Adapted from BBC News, April 5 2022)
 
" move with the times" in this context means   learn and keep up to date

- A boy of sixteen is often ... his father   as tall as

- A boy of sixteen is often __________ his father   as tall as

- A flashlight is a battery-powered light .... you can carry around with you.   That.

- A friend of ____ lives in London   mine

- A group of UK university students are demanding partial refunds of their university registration fees due to Covid-19 restrictions which have severely limited their opportunity to live a pleasant university experience. This occurred at a time when over 2,600 students in 50 UK universities had confirmed cases of Covid-19. Thousands of students were told to self-isolate, while all in-person lessons were replaced by online lectures. This group has now asked for a 15% cash refund for all students who were forced by their universities to obey very strict rules. (Adapted from College Cengage)
 
Because of strict Covid-19 restrictions, UK university students   have requested to get some of their money back

- A hundred workers risk being __________ and sent home with no jobs, due to the pandemic.   sacked

- A locker is _________ .   A cupboard, often made of metal, in which you can keep your possessions, and leave them for a period of time

- A long time ago, there ... many forests, but now there are only a ... .   were/few

- A long time ago, there ______ many forests, but now there are only a _________ .   were/few

- A new wall is .... built.   Being.

- A pacifist is a person ... believes that all the wars are wrong   who

- A pacifist is a person _____ believes that all the wars are wrong   who

- A person is requested .... a good knowledge of Italian.   To have

- A person is requested......a good knowledge of Italian.   To have

- A research study commissioned by BBC Arts involving about 50,000 people in the UK shows that taking part in some creative activities such as painting, pottery making, performing arts or music can help people handle stress, manage challenges and explore alternative solutions to problems. People seem to use creativity to avoid stress, as a 'contemplation tool' to create alternative mental spaces, and to improve self-esteem and confidence. Creative activities have a positive effect on emotions and wellbeing when carried out online or as part of a face-to-face group. (Adapted from www.artsprofessional.co.uk )
 
Being involved in a creative activity   helps to manage stress

- A study suggests the Amazon rainforest is losing its ability to recover from damage caused by climate change, fires and deforestation. Large areas could become barely forested savannah, which is much less efficient than tropical forest at absorbing carbon dioxide from the air. The findings, based on three decades of satellite data, show alarming trends in the "health" of the Amazon rainforest. There are signs of a loss of resilience in more than 75% of the forest, with trees taking longer to recover from the effects of climate change as well as human impacts such as deforestation and fire. The study on the "health" of the Amazon rainforest shows that   more than 75% of it is losing its ability to recover from damage

- A television ... went up with the pilot and filmed the UFOs.   cameraman

- A workshop is an insanely fun and productive way to solve problems together. It creates momentum and makes work genuinely exciting again. And in more concrete terms, a workshop is a structured and fair way to collaborate, accelerate work, and create a clear outcome. You can run a workshop when members of the team don't feel adequately empowered, for example. (Workshopper.com; adapted)
 
"run" in this context means   be in charge of

- A: What are ... in English? B: They're headphones.   these

- A: Would you like to drive a Ferrari? B: Yes, I ... .   would

- According to a recent study, climate change will badly affect areas in the world where coffee, cashews and avocados are grown. Millions of small farmers live upon coffee crops, and rising temperatures will cause production to drop significantly by 2050. Some areas will decrease to a greater extent than others - 76% in Brazil and 63% in Colombia - while it will be possible to grow coffee in other regions of the world such as Argentina, South Africa, China and New Zealand. (Adapted from BBC news Jan 26, 2022)
 
"badly affect" in this context means   cause negative changes

- According to a recent study, climate change will badly affect areas in the world where coffee, cashews and avocados are grown. Millions of small farmers live upon coffee crops, and rising temperatures will cause production to drop significantly by 2050. Some areas will decrease to a greater extent than others - 76% in Brazil and 63% in Colombia - while it will be possible to grow coffee in other regions of the world such as Argentina, South Africa, China and New Zealand. (Adapted from BBC news Jan 26, 2022)
 
According to the study, climate change will   cause a decline in coffee crops in areas of traditional cultivation

- According to his family, American actor Bruce Willis, who has appeared in about 100 films, is retiring from acting after being diagnosed with a disease that has been impacting his cognitive abilities. The disease is aphasia. Aphasia is a condition that affects a person's ability to communicate. A person with aphasia can have trouble speaking, writing, and understanding both spoken and written language. Typically, aphasia occurs suddenly after a head injury. If a person with aphasia works in a profession that requires language, this person will have difficulties. (Adapted from News in Levels)
 
Aphasia   affects a person's ability to speak and write

- According to the plans published on Tuesday, the British government will set a new goal of ensuring that 90% of children leaving primary school reach expected standards in reading, writing and maths by 2030 - in 2019 the figure was just 65%. Other measures will include special incentives to help schools keep high- quality teachers in priority subjects. Special incentives will be offered to schools "to ensure talented children from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to the highest standard of education this country offers". (Adapted from The Guardian Feb.1 2022)
 
According to the text, the British government aims to   improve standards and offer incentives to schools in disadvantaged areas

- After being sick in bed for months, she_____ now. She needs physiotherapy.   Can't walk.

- After the accident my friend needed ... .   surgery

- After the children had ... doing their homework, the whole family watched television.   finished

- After the motorbike ______ repaired, it seemed to be OK.   had been

- After the odd outburst, the group of long time friends agreed that Carmela's behaviour on the weekend trip was ........   bizarre

- After the subway bombing last summer, the downturn predicted by so many London watchdogs never happened - if anything, it was just the opposite. Stoic Londoners have carried on with the characteristic stiff upper lip. And with that has come a rapid-fire succession of restaurants from some of the city's (and the world's) most closely watched chefs. Dining out is now one of the capital's favourite pastimes, bringing about the inevitable comparisons to New York. Future openings from heavy hitters like Jo?l Robuchon, who will make his mark on both London and Manhattan this year, draw the parallel even closer. But London is not just a stage for international players. Everyone passes through Borough Market at some point. It's become a Grand Central Station for food lovers, who stop to marvel at the furred and feathered game, to covet Brindisa's Spanish hams, or to graze at the dozens of stalls serving seared scallops, oysters, chorizo buns. Here, "heavy-hitter" means.....   Well-known.

- After the subway bombing last summer, the downturn predicted by so many London watchdogs never happened - if anything, it was just the opposite. Stoic Londoners have carried on with the characteristic stiff upper lip. And with that has come a rapid-fire succession of restaurants from some of the city's (and the world's) most closely watched chefs. Dining out is now one of the capital's favourite pastimes, bringing about the inevitable comparisons to New York. Future openings from heavy hitters like Jo?l Robuchon, who will make his mark on both London and Manhattan this year, draw the parallel even closer. But London is not just a stage for international players. Everyone passes through Borough Market at some point. It's become a Grand Central Station for food lovers, who stop to marvel at the furred and feathered game, to covet Brindisa's Spanish hams, or to graze at the dozens of stalls serving seared scallops, oysters, chorizo buns. "A rapid-fire succession of restaurants" are .....   A series of restaurants opening quickly.

- After the subway bombing last summer, the downturn predicted by so many London watchdogs never happened - if anything, it was just the opposite. Stoic Londoners have carried on with the characteristic stiff upper lip. And with that has come a rapid-fire succession of restaurants from some of the city's (and the world's) most closely watched chefs. Dining out is now one of the capital's favourite pastimes, bringing about the inevitable comparisons to New York. Future openings from heavy hitters like Jo?l Robuchon, who will make his mark on both London and Manhattan this year, draw the parallel even closer. But London is not just a stage for international players. Everyone passes through Borough Market at some point. It's become a Grand Central Station for food lovers, who stop to marvel at the furred and feathered game, to covet Brindisa's Spanish hams, or to graze at the dozens of stalls serving seared scallops, oysters, chorizo buns. "Downturn" means...   Decline.

- After the subway bombing last summer, the downturn predicted by so many London watchdogs never happened - if anything, it was just the opposite. Stoic Londoners have carried on with the characteristic stiff upper lip. And with that has come a rapid-fire succession of restaurants from some of the city's (and the world's) most closely watched chefs. Dining out is now one of the capital's favourite pastimes, bringing about the inevitable comparisons to New York. Future openings from heavy hitters like Jo?l Robuchon, who will make his mark on both London and Manhattan this year, draw the parallel even closer. But London is not just a stage for international players. Everyone passes through Borough Market at some point. It's become a Grand Central Station for food lovers, who stop to marvel at the furred and feathered game, to covet Brindisa's Spanish hams, or to graze at the dozens of stalls serving seared scallops, oysters, chorizo buns. "Furred and feathered game" refers to.....   Wild animals.

- After the subway bombing last summer, the downturn predicted by so many London watchdogs never happened - if anything, it was just the opposite. Stoic Londoners have carried on with the characteristic stiff upper lip. And with that has come a rapid-fire succession of restaurants from some of the city's (and the world's) most closely watched chefs. Dining out is now one of the capital's favourite pastimes, bringing about the inevitable comparisons to New York. Future openings from heavy hitters like Jo?l Robuchon, who will make his mark on both London and Manhattan this year, draw the parallel even closer. But London is not just a stage for international players. Everyone passes through Borough Market at some point. It's become a Grand Central Station for food lovers, who stop to marvel at the furred and feathered game, to covet Brindisa's Spanish hams, or to graze at the dozens of stalls serving seared scallops, oysters, chorizo buns. Londoners are described as .......   People not easily phased.

- After they had shouted at each other, they decided to ....... it up.   make

- Alfred is now hanging around only well-to-do people!   Alfred frequenta solamente gente altolocata!

- Alice is sincere through and through.   Alice è completamente sincera.

- All boarding passes .... to the flight attendant before boarding.   Must be given.

- All of the following words refer to family except for one. Find the odd one out: toddler, niece, veal.   Veal

- All of the following words refer to musical instruments except for one. Find the odd one out: cello, jug, harp.   Jug

- All the hydrochloric acid .... in this tank.   Is stored.

- All too often physical education lessons cover the same sports year after year. I encourage schools to offer different sports each year, repeating them at least once. For example, offer tag rugby in Year 3 and again in Year 5. This gives children a wider outlook and is great for skills expansion. It may also encourage kids to join a local club, which could put them into a sport for the rest of their lives.
(Adapted from Teachwire.net)
 
"Outlook" in this context means:   perspective

- Almost 1.8 million children missed at least 10% of school in the 2021 autumn term in England, according to new estimates. Urgent action is needed to identify the children most at risk, and the reasons why they miss school. Some pupils have never fully returned to lessons after national lockdowns during the Covid pandemic. Another small, but vulnerable group of children never go to school at all; they are practically invisibile, however, making it hard for the authorities to keep them under control. (Adapted form BBC News, 9 March 2022)
 
According to the text,   it is important to find out why some children are not going to school

- Although our environment, education, and experiences all shape our adult intellect, it is certainly true that intelligence has a hereditary component: this means that our intelligence will be similar to that of our biological parents, even if we have had a different upbringing (by being adopted, for example). Intelligence is very hard to measure, and the tests that try to do this are highly controversial: the scientists that design them have different opinions regarding what intelligence really is, and often they are affected by their own prejudices. (Adapted from BBC Science Focus Jan 24, 2022)
 
Tests that measure intelligence   are frequently influenced by the beliefs of those who create them

- Although our opinions on many things ... , we're good friends.   differ

- An article ____ ____ the newspaper.   published / in

- An arts festival using digital animations will commemorate Londonderry's famous landmarks this year to celebrate the city's 1,000-year history. During the Illuminate Festival images of key events in the city history will be projected on the buildings, such as the battles with the Vikings, the 1688 Siege of Derry, and the history of the early walled town. More recent periods will also be represented, for example the maritime and commercial development of the city between 1789-1932, and the years of the Troubles. (Adapted from BBC News, Feb 18, 2022)
 
The Illuminate Festival   celebrates important events in Londonderry's history

- An impressive view has made its appearance on the beautiful Norfolk coast on Friday. The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are the result of the impact of solar activity on Earth and after five years of absence they finally appeared again. Many photographers were eagerly waiting for this opportunity, so that they could capture the magical sight on their cameras. On that night, pictures of this unique phenomenon were incredibly popular on all social media. (Adapted from BBC news Jan 22, 2022)
 
The Northern Lights   had not been seen for some time before this Friday

- An impressive view has made its appearance on the beautiful Norfolk coast on Friday. The Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, are the result of the impact of solar activity on Earth and after five years of absence they finally appeared again. Many photographers were eagerly waiting for this opportunity, so that they could capture the magical sight on their cameras. On that night, pictures of this unique phenomenon were incredibly popular on all social media. (Adapted from BBC news Jan 22, 2022)
 
In this context, "impressive" means   stunning

- An orphan is a child ... parents are dead   whose

- And by early evening the ....... country will see the rain.   whole

- And by early evening the ________ country will see the rain.   whole

- Andrew's attempts to get into the swimming team have not ... with much success.   met

- Andrew's attempts to get into the swimming team have not _______ with much success.   met

- Ann ___ she didn't like Peter.   said

- Ann can't cook and ___ Thomas.   neither can

- Are ____ your glasses?   these

- Are _____ teachers nice?   your

- Are there any tomatoes in the fridge? No, _____   there aren't

- Are there four people in the picture? Yes, _____   there are

- Are you ____ of dogs?   afraid

- Are you ____ you don't want any ice-cream?   Sure

- Are you Canadian? Yes, _____   I am

- Are you going ... Linda's party next week?   to

- Are you going ....... for your holidays this year?   abroad

- Are you going _____ Linda's party next week?   to

- Are you going ________ for your holidays this year?   abroad

- As always happens, an industry grows up around any such laws (and lawsuits), dedicated to policing, sustaining and extending the legal framework. The industry consists of government bodies, (1) ______________ Britain's Commission for Racial Equality, which investigate complaints; official agencies, such as France's Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel, which monitor the media for racist remarks; and (2) ____________ number of informal organisations that represent minorities and win their spurs by doing battle with the political establishment. Laws against incitement to hatred tend to hamper (3) ____________ of debate because they are too easily interpreted as laws against causing offence. The placing of sanctions on "offensive" speech risks conflating two different things: bigoted speech (4) __________ constructive criticism. The big danger is that, in the (5) ______________ of stopping bigots, one may end up stopping all criticism. (The Economist Newspaper and The Economist Group, 2006). Which of the given alternatives correctly fills in the gap (4)?   And.

- As always happens, an industry grows up around any such laws (and lawsuits), dedicated to policing, sustaining and extending the legal framework. The industry consists of government bodies, (1) ______________ Britain's Commission for Racial Equality, which investigate complaints; official agencies, such as France's Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel, which monitor the media for racist remarks; and (2) ____________ number of informal organisations that represent minorities and win their spurs by doing battle with the political establishment. Laws against incitement to hatred tend to hamper (3) ____________ of debate because they are too easily interpreted as laws against causing offence. The placing of sanctions on "offensive" speech risks conflating two different things: bigoted speech (4) __________ constructive criticism. The big danger is that, in the (5) ______________ of stopping bigots, one may end up stopping all criticism. (The Economist Newspaper and The Economist Group, 2006). Which of the given alternatives correctly fills in the gap (5)?   Name.

- As always happens, an industry grows up around any such laws (and lawsuits), dedicated to policing, sustaining and extending the legal framework. The industry consists of government bodies, (1) ______________ Britain's Commission for Racial Equality, which investigate complaints; official agencies, such as France's Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel, which monitor the media for racist remarks; and (2) ____________ number of informal organisations that represent minorities and win their spurs by doing battle with the political establishment. Laws against incitement to hatred tend to hamper (3) ____________ of debate because they are too easily interpreted as laws against causing offence. The placing of sanctions on "offensive" speech risks conflating two different things: bigoted speech (4) __________ constructive criticism. The big danger is that, in the (5) ______________ of stopping bigots, one may end up stopping all criticism. (The Economist Newspaper and The Economist Group, 2006). Which of the given alternatives correctly fills in the gap (3)?   Openness.

- As always happens, an industry grows up around any such laws (and lawsuits), dedicated to policing, sustaining and extending the legal framework. The industry consists of government bodies, (1) ______________ Britain's Commission for Racial Equality, which investigate complaints; official agencies, such as France's Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel, which monitor the media for racist remarks; and (2) ____________ number of informal organisations that represent minorities and win their spurs by doing battle with the political establishment. Laws against incitement to hatred tend to hamper (3) ____________ of debate because they are too easily interpreted as laws against causing offence. The placing of sanctions on "offensive" speech risks conflating two different things: bigoted speech (4) __________ constructive criticism. The big danger is that, in the (5) ______________ of stopping bigots, one may end up stopping all criticism. (The Economist Newspaper and The Economist Group, 2006). Which of the given alternatives correctly fills in the gap (1)?   Such as.

- As always happens, an industry grows up around any such laws (and lawsuits), dedicated to policing, sustaining and extending the legal framework. The industry consists of government bodies, (1) ______________ Britain's Commission for Racial Equality, which investigate complaints; official agencies, such as France's Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel, which monitor the media for racist remarks; and (2) ____________ number of informal organisations that represent minorities and win their spurs by doing battle with the political establishment. Laws against incitement to hatred tend to hamper (3) ____________ of debate because they are too easily interpreted as laws against causing offence. The placing of sanctions on "offensive" speech risks conflating two different things: bigoted speech (4) __________ constructive criticism. The big danger is that, in the (5) ______________ of stopping bigots, one may end up stopping all criticism. (The Economist Newspaper and The Economist Group, 2006). Which of the given alternatives correctly fills in the gap (2)?   Any.

- As always his latest play has been a huge success and all the tickets are ....... until August.   sold out

- As far as I know she hasn't left yet, she told me she would move in January.   Per quanto ne so non è ancora partita, mi ha detto che si sarebbe trasferita a gennaio

- As I feared she would get angry, I had to _____the bush for a while.   Beat around.

- As I had missed the history lesson, my friend went ... the homework with me.   over

- As I had missed the history lesson, my friend went ___________ the homework with me.   over

- As it was getting late, we .... to go.   Decided.

- As I've worked in Spain for many years, I've got used to the Spanish _____ of life.   Way

- As most students already have mobile phones, many educational institutions are using them as classroom learning aids. Yet, while mobile phones can be used as valid learning tools, they can easily turn into a classroom disruption. Teachers repeatedly need to remind students to turn their devices off, if they are not using them for school activities. Mobile phones can also increase the risk of cyberbullying, or violence online, which is not easily recognized, making it difficult for teachers to stop it when it is happening. (Adapted from Frontiers in Education, 25 February 2020)
 
Using mobile phones in the classroom   can lead to a range of problems

- As soon as he was arrested, the man gave some .... to the police.   Information.

- As they always tell you the value of shares can go ....... as well as up.   down

- Asperger syndrome is characterized by an intense interest in a particular topic and limited ability to interact with other people and understand their feelings. Children with this syndrome have problems in managing and expressing their emotions, but, fortunately, there is now psychological treatment available that can support them in this. Although these children face challenges when building relationships with their classmates, they can perform extremely well at school, provided teachers adopt the right strategies to take advantage of such students' strengths. (Adapted from The Organization for Autism Research 2022)
 
Thanks to psychological therapy children with Asperger syndrome can   deal with and communicate their emotions

- At ....... I think she's very pretty.   least

- At 5:00 am he was making .... the airport.   For.

- At first, my friend didn't want to hire Wendy. But, because I had previously worked with Wendy, I told my friend that she _____________ take another look at her C.V. and reconsider _______ for the job.   Ought to / her.

- At the moment we are trying to ....... for the town centre.   make