CLOZE PRACTICE – EXERCISE 16

Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space.
Use only one word in each space.

We have been watching Mount Etna now for several weeks. It was due ___1___ erupt any
day, the scientists said. The mouth of the active volcano could ___2___ be seen through the
thick, hazy smoke ___3___ enveloped it and the surrounding areas ___4___ a two mile
radius. Yet, we could never really lose ___5___ of the towering, smouldering aperture, for
even in the blanket ___6___ ash, we could always see an almost eerie red glow. ___7___
was a somber reminder that Etna could, and would, blow ___8___ a moment's notice.

We are reporters, sent ___9___ by our editors to cover one of history's most spectacular
eruptions. We come from different ___10___ of the world, and converse ___11___
different languages. Yet, we are bound by the same thing - a ___12___ interest in this
volcano.

Now and ___13___, as if to remind us of her inherent power, Etna would ___14___ a
mighty rumble, and quake in ___15___ awesome display of strength. She has the power to
send scientists from all nations scrambling ___16___ the seismological machines,
measuring and checking data. It has become a game for her to ___17___ everyone guessing
if this last rumble could be THE rumble that would set her ___18___. The villagers have
grown ___19___ of watching Etna. She has grumbled for a long time. Their lives resume,
though ___20___ hectic, with the influx of tourists.