For questions 1 – 8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.
IDENTITY AND EMOTION
Some people just seem born to stand out. Whether it’s their (1) ______ fashion sense or their tendency
to speak their mind, they often leave a lasting impression. Their wardrobes may be (2) ______ of
carefully curated pieces, or perhaps they’re simply confident enough to wear things others wouldn’t
dare. But not everyone finds it easy to express their personality so openly. In fact, many of us tend to (3)
______ our emotions in public, especially when we feel sad or angry. Social norms can make us feel
that certain emotions are best kept private, or even suppressed — especially in the workplace. Being
expected to smile and (4) ______ a cheerful attitude all day long can be exhausting, particularly if
you're going through something difficult.
It’s no wonder that some people find comfort in collecting things. Whether you (5) ______ vintage
clothes, comic books or rare coins, there’s something soothing about evoking the past. Others, though,
struggle with letting go. Hoarders, for instance, might be unable to (6) ______ with even the most
trivial items, convinced they’ll be useful one day.
And when it comes to memory, things vary wildly. Some people can remember conversations (7)
______, while others have more selective recall, forgetting details they’d rather not revisit. Smells and
sounds often (8) ______ memories we thought were long gone, bringing the past back in an instant.
1. A. rebellious B. sketch C. orderly D. infectious
2. A. lacking B. full C. crammed D. replenished
3. A. lash out B. hold back C. grin and bear D. tear up
4. A. fake B. throw C. pass D. play
5. A. pass on B. splash out C. take after D. hold onto
6. A. part B. deal C. throw D. get
7. A. more or less B. word for word C. far and wide D. over and over
8. A. forget B. wipe C. block D. trigger
8/___
For questions 1 – 8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap.
CHANGING HABITS
Changing long-standing habits is never easy, particularly (1)_______ those habits have provided
comfort for years. Experts suggest that breaking a bad habit requires not only motivation, but also a
detailed plan — and perseverance, (2)_______ course.
Had he listened to his doctor’s advice earlier, Marco (3)________ have avoided surgery altogether.
Instead, he continued to neglect his health, assuming he could change his routine whenever he liked.
Only after a major health scare (4)________ he begin to take things seriously. He began exercising
regularly, changed his diet, and, most importantly, stopped smoking — (5)________ he had struggled
with for over a decade.
(6)________ of his family expected him to succeed, but he proved everyone wrong. It wasn’t until he
had completed his first marathon that they realised how determined he was.
There are, (7)________, many who try and fail. Some give up too soon, while others don’t believe in
themselves enough to even start.
