RATIONAL CLOZE PRACTICES

esleschool.com

PRACTICE 1
Read the article about the countryside. Choose the best word for each space.

Away from the problems (1) ______ the city is the peace and quiet of the countryside. This is often a
short drive where the air is clear and unpolluted. If you stop at a small village, you will find life is
slower than the city (2) ______ relaxed and friendly people.
(3) ______ of the land have crops growing, as well as animals on the farms. As you drive further, you
might find some areas of natural beauty.
These areas (4) ______created as National Parks by the government, and here wildlife (5) ______ live
and move about safely. It is in these places (6) ______ from the noisy cities, that you can experience
the natural beauty of the countryside.

1. A at B of C on
2. A for B to C with
3. A Some B Every C Any
4. A be B is C are
5. A must B have C can
6. A out B away C off

PRACTICE 2
Read the article about robots. For each question, choose the correct word.

Most robots you see in movies look a bit like people. They can walk and talk and, like
people, can think about (1)______ best to do things. For example, some of the robots in Star
Wars movies can speak (2)______ languages.

In real life, most robots work in the factories (3)______ all sorts of things, and they don't look
like (4)______ at all. (5)______ robots never get bored. They do the same jobs all day, every
day. In the future, we (6)______ have robots cleaning our house, so we can have time to do
other things.

1. A which B how C what

2. A lot B many C much
3. A making B made C make
4. A we B ours C us
5. A These B This C They
6. A need B won’t C will

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PRACTICE 3
Read the article about social media. For each question, choose the correct word.

Some people are saying that social media is harming our lives. Twenty years ago, people talked to
(2)______ other, but now they message instead of talk. Many people worry too (1)______ about what
others think. They post photos and want everyone to like the photo and they (3)______  sad if people
do not like it.
Maybe people should take a break (4)______ social media to live the real life. It would be better for
people to like each other instead of liking online 'likes'. Also, there is a (5)______  of fake news or
posts telling lies about people. This is a global problem.

Several parents are banning (6)______ children from using social media, but it is not all bad as it
helps to connect people in the world.

1. A some B each C one

2. A most B many C much
3. A get B make C have
4. A on B in C from
5. A lot B few C many
6. A their B there C they

PRACTICE 4
Read the article about night shift. Choose the best word for each space.

Some people have to work (1) ______ night. This is not very healthy because we are made to be
active in the day and to rest at night. If we do the opposite, it can have a bad effect (2) ______a
person's health. So, why do people do the night shift?
Nowadays, many businesses offer a 24-hour service such (3) ______ hotels, hospitals and some
supermarkets. However, humans are most active in the middle of the day, and the time (4)
______ they are least able to concentrate and work well is between 2 am and 4 am. This is because the
body finds it very difficult to change to (5) ______ opposite cycle and this will cause a lot of stress.
Unfortunately, things are not going to get better in the future because more and more businesses are
working 24-hour cycles to keep (6) ______ with our 24-hour society.

1. A on B at C in
2. A on B at C with
3. A for B the C as
4. A when B who C where
5. A a B the C an
6. A over B down C up

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PRACTICE 5
Read the article about visiting a fire station. Choose the best word for each space.

My name is Harry Webb. Last week, my class visited a fire station with our teacher. We meet James,
(1)______ works at the fire station. James showed us (2)______ and told us about his job.
James is part of a team of firefighters called the Blue Watch. Every morning, he checks (3)______ the
things in the fire engine to make sure nothing is missing. Everything must be in (4)______ right place.
There is also a tall, empty building at the station where James can practise climbing in through the
windows. Jim let us (5)______ in the fire engine and try on the special clothes he wears,
(6)______ we had to be careful not to start the engine or push the buttons!

1. A that B who C what

2. A around B above C among
3. A all B other C many
4. A a B the C one
5. A sitting B sat C sit
6. A or B because C but

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FILL-IN GAPS

PRACTICE 1
You are going to read an article about honey bees. Six sentences have been removed from the article.
Choose from the sentences A to H the one which fits each gap (1 to 6). There are two extra sentences
which you do not need to use.

The honey bee is a very unusual kind of insect. Unlike other insects which live alone, the honey bee
lives as a member of a community. 1

2 . She is larger than the rest of the bees. Her main task in the colony is to lay eggs. Most of
the other bees are the worker bees. These bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers. 3 The
worker bees also help look after the young bees. As soon as the eggs are hatched, the worker bees
feed the young bees with pollen and nectar. The third type of bee found in the colony is the drone or
male bee. 4

The queen bee has a life span of about three years. 5 When the queen bee is dying, a new
queen would be groomed. 6

A During this period, she would have laid
more than half a million eggs.
B This is to ensure they will not lose their
community by the death of the queen.
C These bees live together in what is known
as a bee colony.
D The nectar that is carried by the worker
bees is deposited on the hive and then
converted into honey
E The head of the colony is called the
queen bee.
F The main task of such a bee is to mate
with a new queen.
G They play an essential role in the
colony.
H This new queen would eventually take
over the 'duties' of the old queen when
the latter dies.

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PRACTICE 2
You are going to read an article about the history of sandwich. Six sentences have been removed from
the article. Choose from the sentences A to H the one which fits each gap (1 to 6). There are two
extra sentences which you do not need to use.

Sandwich is a historic town and civil parish in the Dover District of Kent, south-east England.

Sandwich is also a food, typically consisting of vegetables, sliced cheese or meat, placed on or
between slices of bread. It can also generally be any dish wherein bread serves as a container or
wrapper for another food type. The sandwich began as a portable, convenient finger food in the
Western world. 1

Interestingly enough, the sandwich is the invention of an eighteen century English Earl called John
Montagu. 2 Often, he even found it too bothersome to stop his games for meals.

One day, in the middle of a game, Montagu was served a meal of sliced meat with bread. 3
As Montagu looked at both, the game and his food, an idea came to his mind.

"I can do the same with my food as well," he thought.

4 Montagu was very pleased with his invention. This is because  it allowed him to play cards
with one hand and eat his meal with the other.

Montagu's friends quickly caught on to his idea. 5 As Montagu's full title was 'the Earl of
Sandwich', the new invention became known as a 'sandwich'. Before being known as sandwiches, this
food combination seems to simply have been known as "bread and meat" or "bread and cheese".
These two phrases are found throughout English drama from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Sandwiches are a popular type of lunch food, taken to work, school, or picnics. They are to be eaten
as part of a packed lunch. The bread may be plain or be coated with condiments, such
as mayonnaise or mustard, to enhance its flavour and texture. As well as being homemade,
sandwiches can be served hot or cold. There are both savoury sandwiches, such as  deli
meat sandwiches, and sweet sandwiches, such as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. 6

A He would play these games with his E Over time it has become prevalent

friends for long stretches of time. worldwide.
B He took a slice of bread, placed a piece of F At that time, Montagu was playing the
meat on it and covered that game that required its players to cover
with another slice of bread. cards one on top of another.
C They are easily prepared and delicious. G They named the new
invention after him.
D They are popular and widely sold in H Be it served hot or cold, the sandwiches
various places. are now have been widely sold in cafes,
railway stations, pubs and diners.

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PRACTICE 3
You are going to read an article about an incidence of meeting an old friend. Six sentences have been
removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A to H the one which fits each gap (1 to 6).
There are two extra sentences which you do not need to use.

Somebody tapped me on my shoulder, I turned and saw a familiar face before me. 1

"It's me, Maybelline. We were from the same secondary school, remember ?" the girl said. 2
Melissa? Suddenly, something clicked in my brain.

"It's you ! I almost couldn't recognize you. 3 ," I said.

'Different' was an understatement. 4 Now she  smelled of perfume and wore expensive

clothes. Her shoes were four inches high. I had heard from some of my friends that she worked as a
singer in a club. I could tell from her breath that she smoked. 5

Fortunately for me, she was in a hurry to go. Her boyfriend was waiting for her, she said. As I
watched her walk away, I wondered what had happened to the simple, easy-going Melissa I had once
known. 6

A She used to be a plain girl in pigtails when E I stared intently at her heavily made-up

we sat together in the same class.
B However, I could not tell who she was.
C You look so different now.
D I felt uncomfortable before this
sophisticated person and did
not know how to act naturally.
face.
F I tried to recall who she was but I failed.
G I felt I did not know this Melissa at all.
H I felt terrible for having to bump into
her like this.

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WRITING EXERCISES

RECAP
MIXED TENSES

It (1)__________ (be) Saturday night. My parents (2)__________ (go) out to the cinema and
my sister (3)__________ (have) a party with her friends. It (4)__________ (be) about 11:30. I
(5)__________ (just / finish) writing a composition for my English teacher and as I (6)__________
(feel) a little hungry, I (7)__________ (decide) to have something to eat. I (8)__________ (go)
downstairs and into the kitchen.

I (9)________ (turn) on the light (10)________ (open) the fridge and (11)__________ (grab)
a piece of pizza and an apple. I (12)______(sit) down at the kitchen table and (13)__________ (enjoy)
the food. I (14)__________ (be) about to finish when suddenly I (15)__________ (hear) a strange
noise upstairs. At first I thought it was my sister who (16)__________ (return) from the party, but I
(17)__________ (have) a look through the window and (18)__________ (not see) her car at the
entrance, where she usually (19)__________ (leave) it. My parents couldn’t have returned so early as
the film (20)__________ (start) at 11:00 o’clock. I (21)__________ (get) really scared and
(22)__________ (not know) what to do.

I (23)__________ (go) out of the kitchen and (24) __________ (run) to the living room
where we (25)__________ (have) the phone. I (26) __________ ( want) to phone my friend Paul who
(27)__________ (live) near me and tell him what (28)_________(happen). I (29)_____________
(pick) up the phone and while I (30)________ (dial) his number I (31)__________ (hear) the same
noise again, but this time it (32)__________ (come) from the kitchen! I (33)__________ (start) to
panic. I was sure that a thief (34)__________ (break) into the house through one of the windows,
which we usually (35)__________ (leave) open during the hot summer nights.

I (36)__________ (dial) the emergency number, which I (37)__________ (think) was the
best thing I (38)__________ (can) do. I (39)__________ (explain) what my situation was when a
black shadow (40)__________ (cross) the living room. I nearly (41)__________ (faint) before I
(42)__________ (distinguish) what (43)____________ (cause) all the noise I (44)______________
(hear). It was only my neighbour’s cat which (45)____________ (get) into the house through one of
the open windows. It was certainly a scary night!

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 VOCABULARY
WORD FORMATION

Add prefixes or suffixes to form a word that suits each gap.

PRACTICE 1 : IT’S FESTIVAL TIME!

Lord Byron, champion of Greek independence (0) (DEPEND) could hardly have imagined it. Today,
years after his (1)__________ (DIE), 2 million of his compatriots, although less (2)__________
(HERO), make the annual (3)___________ (PILGRIM) to Greece for the ‘Britain and Greece
Festival’.

The (4)__________ (BRITAIN) Ambassador speaks of the festival as a (5)____________

(CELEBRATE) of the strong links between the two countries, but also as ‘an (6)__________
(INSPIRE) to those who wish to create new links,’ a (7)___________ (REMIND) that 2004 and the
Athens Olympics are not too far away. Everything about the festival highlights the theme of
(8)__________ (PARTNER). The commercial exhibition ‘Partners in Trade’ will focus on
(9)____________ (INDUSTRY) goods and services, design, travel and software (10)__________
(DEVELOP) including opportunities for ‘Olympics 2004’.

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 VOCABULARY 2

DESCRIBING
PEOPLE

lazy aggressive organized

grumpy
spiritual athletic mysterious selfish optimistic witty discreet neat
affectionat
patient creative clumsy rude dull ambitious noisy snobbish
e
sensitive adventurou pessimistic anxious moody caring vengeful eloquent
balanced
shy s quiet social reserved rational wise deceptive
trusting
bossy reliable

1. Adele often uses a lot of complicated words and phrases things very nicely.
2. Peter is always telling everyone what to do and how to do it.
3. Melody believes everything will be okay in the end.
4. George always want to hurt everyone who has hurt him and never forgives
5. anyone.
Anne has a lot of secrets and nobody knows a lot about her.
6. Mark never wants to do anything, go anywhere, or do any work.
7. Linda talks about nothing interesting, never makes jokes, and never asks
interesting questions.
8. Paul always keeps his promises and does what he says.
9. Bella often drops things, falls down, or bumps into furniture.
10 Joshua meditates and prays every day and believes in souls, spirits, and
. reincarnation.
11 Penny is always nervous and worried about everything.
12 Wayne always lies, hides the truth, and creates schemes to trick people.
13 Marianne loves writing stories, painting pictures, and making decorations for
. her home.
14 Karl doesn't mind waiting and doesn't get angry when something or someone is
. late.
15 Bree loves meeting people, going to parties, and spending time with friends.
16 Christopher always has something funny and clever to say in the right moment.
17 Monica enjoys doing new, exciting, and maybe dangerous things.
18 Phil always keeps everyone's secrets and never talks about personal things in
. public.
19 Donna has everything in the correct place and perfectly ordered.
20 Martin is always complaining about something and nothing makes him happy.
21 Violet has very expensive taste and things that she is better than everyone else.
22 Gregory never has any emotional outbursts or crazy moments.
23 Amanda has a lot of knowledge and life experience and gives great advice.
24 Mike can change from happy to angry to sad in a couple of minutes.

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25 Gabrielle never thinks of anybody else, just herself.
.26 Niles always pays attention to and cares about people's feelings.
27 Lynette doesn't like strangers and keeps a distance from most people.
28 Patrick always says nice things and hugs and kisses people.
29 Joanne often says impolite, offensive things, and ignores social etiquette.
30 David doesn't like being in the company of many people, especially if he
. doesn't know them.
31 Ella usually laughs and talks very loudly.
32 Oscar helps people, asks if they need anything, and wants to make sure that
. they are fine.
33 Lana always believes that everything will end horribly.
34 Mark very often shouts, swears, and threatens people and starts physical fights.
35 Danielle has a lot of plans, goals, and ideas for the future.
36 Stephen always thinks about everything and never makes emotional decisions.
37 Jane doesn't talk very often and prefers to listen.
38 Victor loves jogging, swimming, going to the gym, and doing sports all the
39 Wendy has a clean house and doesn't like mess.
40 Freddy believes everyone and everything, even without evidence.

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 QUICK REVISION
SOME HELPFUL PHRASES FOR EMAIL WRITING
a. Being social
By adding these at the beginning of your emails you will sound more friendly and social.
● I hope you had a good weekend.
● I hope you had a great trip.
● Hope you had a nice break.
● I hope you are well.
● I hope all is well.
● Hope you're enjoying your holiday.
● I hope this email finds you well.
b. Reason of the email
Tell them why you're writing this email.
● I am writing to you about our last
meeting/your presentation
yesterday/our next event.
● I am writing to you with regards
to/regarding/concerning/in connection
with...
● I am writing to ask/enquire/let you
know/confirm/check/invite you to/to
update you on/ask for a favour...
● I am writing you to follow up on...
● I am contacting you to inform...
c. Replying
● I just got your request for...
● I just read your email about...
● As we discussed, I would like to send
you...
● Thank you for your email about...
● Thanks for your email this
morning/yesterday/on Wednesday/last
month...
d. Apologizing
 Thank you for your understanding/for
your patience.
 Thanks again for your
understanding/for your patience.
 Once again, please accept our
apologies for any inconvenience
caused/for the inconvenience
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● I hope you enjoyed the event.
● I'm glad we had a chance to chat at the
convention.
● It was great to see you on Thursday.
● It was a pleasure to meet you
yesterday.
● I am reaching out because...
● This is just a quick note to...
● This is just a quick reminder...
● I wanted to let you know that...
● Might I take a moment of your time
to... (very formal)
● It's [Your Name] from [Your
Company].
● This email is just to let you know
that...
● Thanks for your feedback on/your
invitation/your suggestion
● Thanks for sending/asking
about/attending
● Thanks for your quick reply.
● Thanks for getting back to me so
quickly.
● Thank you for reaching out (to me)
caused/for the delay/for the
misunderstanding.
 I hope this is okay with you.
 I really hope we can find a solution
soon.
 I hope you can understand.
 Sorry I couldn't be of more help
e. Offering help or information
● I hope you find this helpful.
● I hope it's clearer now.
● I hope that answers all your questions.
● If we can be of any further assistance,
please let us know.
● Let me know if you need any help.
● For further details...
● If you have any (more) questions
(about)...
● In the meantime, if you need any more
information,
f. When something is expected
Do you need a reply? Are you asking for a favour or you are meeting soon? These sentences are
perfect for those moments!
● Looking forward to hearing from you
soon.
● I look forward to hearing from you
soon.
● Please let me know if this works/if
you are available/if that sounds
good/if you can/if you can help/if you
need to reschedule...
● I look forward to seeing/meeting you.
● See you on Thursday/next week.
● Thanks.
g. Giving bad news
 Unfortunately, ...
 Unfortunately, we cannot/we are
unable to ...
 I'm afraid it will not be possible to...
● Unfortunately, I have to tell you that...
Due to [reason], it won't be possible
to...
● I tried my best, but...
● Despite my best efforts, ...
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● If you need more information/more
info/further information,
● I know that's a lot to take in, so let me
know if anything I've said doesn't
make sense.
● ... please do not hesitate to contact me.
● ... please feel free to contact me/to get
in touch.
● ... please let me know.
● ... drop me an email/drop me a line.
● Thank you in advance.
● Thank you for everything.
● Cheers.
● Any feedback you can give me on this
would be greatly/highly/much
appreciated.
● If you could have it ready by
tomorrow/the end of next week, I
would really appreciate it.
● I would appreciate your help in this
matte
● I can't see how...
● I'm sorry but it's out of my hands.
● I'm afraid I won't be able to...
 I'm sorry to tell you that...
● I'm afraid that we can't...
● We regret to inform you that...
● I regret to inform you that (due to...) ...
● After careful consideration, we have
decided (not) to ...
● It's against company policy
h. Friendly ways to say 'bye'
● Best regards,
● All the best,
● Best wishes,
● Cheers, (*common in the UK and Australia, informal in other countries)
● Have a great weekend!
● Have a wonderful day!
Adapted 150+ Useful Email Phrases That Will Make Your Life Easier (talaera.com)

E-MAIL PRACTICE

PRACTICE:
You recently visited a place while a famous person was there.
In this email, you are asked to include the following:
 describe where you were and what happened
 explain what the famous person was doing
 say how you felt about the experience
IGCSE ESL Writing Practice (esleschool.com)

Fill in the gaps with the best words

amazed know get ages fuss
suddenly guess chance noisily dash

Dear Maria,

You'll never (1)_____________who I saw when I was at Mario's with Jodie last night.
We were sitting at our favourite table trying to decide what to order. You (2)_____________ how hard it is
when everything is so delicious! (3)_____________, there was a lot of commotion near the door. I tried to
see what all the (4)_____________  was about, but it was impossible because of the camera flashes.

It wasn't until sometime later when I went to the toilet that I got a clear view and was (5)_____________to
see the Princess. I don't need to tell you how excited I was. She looked so beautiful and I couldn't help staring
at her for (6)_____________ I decided to try to get a photo with her before she left, and went to
(7)_____________Jodie to take the photo for me.

Just as we were about to go back to her table, she just got up and left with her guests just as
(8)_____________ as when she arrived. I was disappointed that I had missed the (9)_____________ of a
lifetime.

Don't you wish you'd been there? I must (10)_____________  to see if there's anything online about it. I'll
give you a call later.

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Answer practice:

1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.

Now WRITE your own email HERE:

40
 WRITING A STORY

Writing better texts in English:

Improving a text with adjectives and adverbs

Read the following text. What is missing?

It was a day in November. When the weather had changed overnight, a storm had brought rain to
the country. Mrs. Anderson drove down the road with her bike. The morning sun was shining into
her eyes, the air was blowing against her skin, the trees, and the grass. While she was driving, she
thought about yesterday. When she was going through the park after work, she saw there were lots
of residents with their cats and dogs and the guy that sold the fast food that she likes near the
fountain. She even talked to a stranger and asked him about his dog.
She was also already looking forward to her holiday that she wanted to spend in the rain forest with
all the animals and plants there. She hoped to find a tour guide, offering trips to the nature of the
island. She had also talked to her sister and asked her to join her holiday trip.

Try to make the text sound more interesting:

Fill in as many suitable adjectives and adverbs as possible directly in the text

Adjectives say how someone, or something is: She ate her delicious sandwich.

adorable, adventurous, amused, angry, anxious, colourful, comfortable, confusing, exciting,

expensive, cheep, wild, adorable, awful, bored, charming, cheerful, bright, cute, curious, difficult,
fantastic, funny, famous, handsome, helpful, kind, inexpensive, long, short, modern, delicious,
magnificent, proud, shy, super, successful, easy, dark, crowded, wide, hot, cold, important,
intelligent, beautiful, interesting, large, mad, loud, narrow, official, patient, perfect, possible, public,
small, smooth, special, suitable, tiny, useful, young…

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 Adverbs say in what way / how someone does something: She ate her sandwich quickly.

silently, patiently, sleepily, slowly, politely, gratefully, curiously, happily, thankfully, immediately,
quietly, rapidly, adventurously, easily, innocently, bravely, wisely, anxiously, dreamily, thoughtfully,
quickly, gently, happily, joyfully, intensely, kindly, nervously, painfully, noisily, excitedly,
doubtfully…

PRACTICE 1:

It was a (1)___________________ day in November. When the weather had changed overnight, a
(2)___________________ storm had brought (3)___________________ rain to the country. Mrs.
Anderson drove (4)___________________ down the road with her (5)___________________
bike. The morning sun was shining (6) ___________________into her (7) _________________
eyes, the (8)___________________ air was blowing against her (9)___________________ skin,
the (10)___________________ trees, and the (11)___________________ grass. While she was
driving, she thought about yesterday. When she was going through the park after
(12)___________________ work, she saw there were lots of (13)___________________ residents
with their (14)___________________ cats and dogs and the guy that sold the
(15)__________________ fast food that she likes near the (16)__________________ fountain. She
even talked (17)__________________ to a stranger and asked him about his
(18)__________________ dog.
She was also already (19)__________________ looking forward to her holiday that she wanted to
spend in the (20)__________________ rain forest with all the (21)__________________ animals and
(22)__________________ plants there. She hoped to find a tour guide, offering
(23)__________________ trips to the (24)__________________ nature of the island. She had also
talked (25)__________________ to her sister and asked her to join her holiday trip.

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Write your own story here:

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