Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 1

1. The old house was ____________ furnished and we had to buy almost
everything new.
a. thinly
b. sparsely
c. mildly
d. rarely

2. The main way into the building is via High Street but there is also a(n)
____________ at the back used for deliveries.
a. access
b. way
c. passage
d. direction

3. I have been back to the doctor three times and he still hasn't
____________ the reason for all the pain I have been suffering from
recently.
a. indicated
b. highlighted
c. pinpointed
d. looked up

4. You shouldn't have bought so many ____________ presents on this

holiday. You won't have any money left when you go back home.
a. rich
b. lavish
c. worthy
d. invaluable

5. It's a long walk tomorrow. We need to ____________ as early as

possible.
a. set up
b. set in
c. set off
d. set about

6. Sometimes, we don't appreciate the ____________ pleasures of life such

as a beautiful sky, a cup of coffee with a friend or seeing a good film at the
cinema.
a. sheer
b. simple
c. normal
d. plain

7. Even though she is 87, her mind is very ____________ and she is very
aware of everything going on around her.
a. alert
b. lively
c. demanding
d. lifelike

8. The captain decided to ____________ ship even though he thought there

was no real danger of it sinking.
a. abandon
b. evacuate
c. desert
d. evict

9. If you continue to ____________ debts at this rate, you will have to

declare bankruptcy eventually.
a. save
b. raise
c. incur
d. default
10. The accidental ____________ of four listed buildings near the city centre
caused a huge outcry and the manager of the building company was jailed
for three months.
a. disruption
b. demolition
c. injuring
d. squashing
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 2

1. My company has just spent two million dollars, ____________ a world

famous artist to paint a huge mural for the main entrance foyer.
a. asking
b. ordering
c. consulting
d. commissioning

2. During the riots, hundreds of people broke into the city's main
department store and ____________ it. There was almost nothing left after
the night had finished.
a. stole
b. looted
c. mugged
d. conned

3. The new government group will ____________ the effects of smoking on

the academic abilities of people under 18 years of age.
a. report
b. research
c. inform
d. invent

4. This fruit has been in the fridge for over three weeks! It is all
____________.
a. rotten
b. sour
c. bitter
d. mouldy

5. I don't think Jones and Marlowe should work together on this project.
They have shown us before that they are quite ____________ as partners.
a. rebellious
b. disinterested
c. disagreeable
d. incompatible

6. You have been ____________ with first degree murder. How do you
plea?
a. accused
b. charged
c. blamed
d. caused

7. That old house hasn't been lived in for nearly thirty years, hence the fact
that it looks so ____________.
a. decrepit
b. trashed
c. rotten
d. derelict

8. The great thing about this bank loan is that they give you so long to
____________.
a. pay it in
b. give it up
c. pay it up
d. pay it off
e. give it out

9. We can't use this table as it isn't totally ____________. The balls will roll
to one side.
a. plane
b. flat
c. vertical
d. true
10. ____________ me another beer Des. Then I really must be going. It is
quite late!
a. spill
b. trickle
c. pour
d. fill
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 3

1. You can exercise your ____________ to cancel the contract immediately,

but you wouldn't receive any money at that point.
a. duty
b. obligation
c. right
d. possibility

2. We were all in ____________ of the fact that the new manager was our
old friend Duncan.
a. surprise
b. shock
c. awe
d. amazement

3. The icy road conditions ____________ in over twenty minor accidents

this morning, but fortunately no-one was seriously injured.
a. resulted
b. caused
c. culminated
d. blamed

4. My uncle Warren is a thoroughly despicable character. His one

____________ feature is that he loves children.
a. saving
b. recovering
c. improved
d. redeeming

5. I don't think anyone understood what I was saying at the meeting, did
they? I totally failed to get my point ____________.
a. around
b. about
c. across
d. along

6. There was a veritable ____________ of angry phone calls from members

of the public complaining about the new controversial series on TV.
a. gale
b. flood
c. storm
d. earthquake

7. The sales practices of this company will have to be totally ____________

if we are to save it.
a. overthrown
b. overhauled
c. overrun
d. overwhelmed

8. For lunch, I always have something quick and easy: a sandwich, a salad,
toast and the ____________.
a. same
b. similar
c. like
d. rest

9. The government announced today that they intend to ____________ the

rise of crime in the inner cities by increasing police budgets in the areas
most affected.
a. beat
b. win
c. retaliate
d. counter
10. We weren't ____________ of the danger we were in until it was too late
and the ice started to break. We are lucky to be alive!
a. alive
b. alert
c. awake
d. aware
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 4

1. It was a ____________ good film Howard. You absolutely have to go and

see it!
a. wonderful
b. enormous
c. terribly
d. badly

2. There is too much weight on that table. It won't ____________ for much
longer.
a. restrain
b. refuse
c. resist
d. reject

3. They had to buy a lot of equipment for the old boat, ____________ a new
anchor.
a. including
b. coupled with
c. joined to 
d. partnered with

4. I went to see the boss about a pay rise and he brushed me

____________ with a weak excuse about a business dinner and left me
standing there!
a. up
b. away
c. around
d. off

5. Can you ____________ who is at the door while I take the meat out of
the oven?
a. control
b. mind
c. check
d. prove

6. You should always be ____________ when someone you don't know calls
at your house.
a. caring
b. wary
c. frightened
d. fussy

7. The new controversial tax law comes into ____________ from next May.
Everyone should prepare themselves to avoid problems.
a. legality
b. age
c. force
d. existence

8. We don't seem to have any more of that title, Sir. It is out of

____________ but we are getting a new delivery next Thursday if you would
like to pop back then.
a. order
b. shop
c. stock
d. inventory

9. The new teacher was taken advantage of by the students and often had to
____________ her authority.
a. assert
b. confirm
c. inflict
d. strike
10. You can't go to the interview with your shoes like that! Why don't you
give them a quick ____________?
a. wash
b. scrub
c. brush
d. polish
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 5

1. He was given the France post even though his French is decidedly
____________.
a. fluent
b. untidy
c. rusty
d. disheveled

2. What really ____________ me as I walked into the office was the number
of women working there!
a. occurred
b. realised
c. struck
d. seemed to

3. Oh! That guitar is out of ____________. What a horrible sound!

a. melody
b. chorus
c. parity
d. tune

4. The company has a lot of problems but they all seem to ____________ to
money.
a. boil down
b. cook up
c. lead over
d. reason out

5. The walls of your bathroom were wet with ____________ after my

shower so I opened the window.
a. vapour
b. condensation
c. mould
d. dew

6. You treat this house like a hotel Tim! And you take your mother totally for
____________. You should appreciate what she does for you more.
a. fool
b. assumption
c. advantage
d. granted

7. We took Bill ____________ for a couple of months after the fire at his
home. It was no trouble as we have the extra bedroom up in the converted
loft.
a. in
b. out
c. up
d. off

8. ____________ did he complain to the head waiter all night, but he didn't
leave a tip at the end of the night either!
a. not really
b. on no account
c. not only
d. no longer

9. ____________ you get the job. Where would you go and live?
a. provided
b. supposing
c. as long as
d. unless

10. Did you ever ____________ for anything when you were a child or did
you have everything you desired?
a. lack
b. miss
c. want
d. ask
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 6

1. As soon as the problem at work blew up, he instantly thought about how
he could come out of it looking good. He is such a ____________ person.
a. self-evident
b. self-conscious
c. self-centred
d. selfless

2. The sound of the jet taking off from the nearby airport ____________ the
peace of the countryside and startled the horses.
a. crushed
b. crashed
c. flattened
d. shattered

3. "Look, I don't know the best solution," he said ____________ his

shoulders and walking away from the table.
a. shaking
b. shrouding
c. shrugging
d. bowing

4. We carried on down the path, ____________ of the notice warning of

avalanche risk.
a. careless
b. carefree
c. heedless
d. blind

5. That old wall will need to be ____________. Otherwise, it will fall down
come the first strong winds of winter.
a. rebuilt
b. repainted
c. redecorated
d. repressed

6. The cheese in the fridge is ____________ a very funny smell. I think it

must be bad. I will throw it out.
a. giving up
b. giving in
c. giving off
d. giving out

7. The judge declared a ____________ today due to unfair media coverage

and the trial will be restarted again early next year.
a. postponement
b. annulment
c. cancellation
d. mistrial

8. You must go and see that new soppy film with Richard Gere. Don't be
afraid to ____________ a few tears though. I did!!
a. spill
b. pour
c. shed
d. sob

9. There is no way you will be able to lift that stone up to here. Get a few of
the men to help you ____________ it up with a rope.
a. drag
b. wrench
c. swivel
d. pluck
10. The smoke was seen to rise a few metres up from the bonfire and then
____________ slowly down the valley on the slight breeze that blew.
a. float
b. sweep
c. billow
d. drift
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 7

1. The walls of the local military command were ____________ by anti-

government graffitti and that was the first sign of general rebellion in the
city.
a. defaced
b. destroyed
c. mutilated
d. deformed

2. Harris is a great player but often, he is ____________ to disappear from

a game in the last twenty minutes and that is what happened here today.
a. apt
b. tend
c. habit
d. prone

3. All the hotels along the river are of good quality except The Palace Hotel.
If you ____________ clear of that, you shouldn't have too many problems.
a. turn
b. steer
c. veer
d. swerve

4. I can see how old those jeans are. They have ____________ almost to a
sky blue color after all these years.
a. faded
b. blanched
c. disappeared
d. reduced

5. That old house is ____________ with rats! There is no way I would ever
go and live there without at least five cats.
a. riddled
b. infected
c. crowded
d. inflicted

6. What I really ____________ for when I was young was a pony but my
parents didn't have enough money and I had to be happy with a hamster!
a. yearned
b. craved
c. desired
d. needed

7. He was arrested on a lonely highway and charged with drinking while

under the ____________ of alcohol.
a. power
b. influence
c. spell
d. side effects

8. ____________ by despair at her situation, she tried in vain to rob the

local bank and ended up in prison for five years.
a. compelled
b. forced
c. desperate
d. driven

9. I have to ____________ your offer of money at this time but will consider
your generous gift if need be in the future.
a. decline
b. deject
c. confound
d. refute
10. Bill and Mary resolved their problems after her brother got them to sit
down and have a(n) ____________ talk with each other.
a. candid
b. overt
c. servile
d. piteous
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 8

1. Four bedroom house for sale. Large garden. Close to ____________.

Reduced for quick sale.
a. facilities
b. amenities
c. equipment
d. utilities

2. This is a great example of the Yellow Eared Rabbit, a rabbit

____________ to this part of Portugal and not found anywhere else in the
world.
a. special
b. strange
c. peculiar
d. particular

3. The manageress arrived late and in a foul mood, going by the

____________ on her face.
a. frown
b. beam
c. scowl
d. grimace

4. Jenkins! Yes, you ____________ at the back of the class. If you find this
whole episode so funny, why don't you come up to the front and explain to
everyone exactly why!
a. frowning
b. grinning
c. glancing
d. glimpsing
5. We don't know if anyone will come to the warehouse this evening or not
to move the stolen money, so just be on the ____________ for any strange
activity at all.
a. guard
b. hunt
c. lookout
d. search

6. Though the hotel was a real ____________ place with cracked windows,
freezing draughts and creaking floorboards, the staff were just wonderful
and we had a great time all in all.
a. down-and-out
b. downcast
c. run-down
d. runaway
7. Mother arrived home eventually at 5pm, ____________ with grocery
bags, having been out shopping for nearly three hours.
a. burdened
b. full
c. stocked
d. laden

8. I picked up these ____________ from the travel agents today. They have
a great offer on cruises to Turkey for the end of April!
a. leaflets
b. manifestoes
c. brochures
d. programmes

9. I first saw my father on the ____________ at the docks after he had

disembarked from a troop ship in 1945 at the end of the war. I was four
years old.
a. platform
b. quayside
c. kerb
d. marina

10. When getting onto a metro or standard train, you should always be
careful of the ____________ between the station platform and the train
itself. This can be up to 15cm in distance.
a. drop
b. gap
c. empty
d. void
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 9

This exercise type tests use of idioms, collocations, phrasal verbs and
semantic precision in general. For each question below, choose the best
answer from the four possibilities. Think also about why the other three
choices are NOT possible.

1. Not many people have the ____________ to combine both a highly

successful business career and a happy marriage.
a. capacity
b. ability
c. panache
d. know-how

2. If you are not happy with this resort hotel, you will have to make a(n)
____________ for compensation once you return home.
a. requirement
b. recommendation
c. claim
d. appeal

3. Two months after the main parties in the coalition had fallen out, leading
to the collapse of the government, the leaders met in an attempt to heal the
____________.
a. abyss
b. trench
c. dispute
d. rift

4. The bomb explosion left very little of the car and forensic scientists are
now busy ____________ through the wreckage trying to find clues to help
them in their investigation.
a. sifting
b. draining
c. straining
d. juggling

5. As soon as the authorities found out about the jail break, they put up
____________ on all the main roads leading out of the area.
a. barricades
b. road-blocks
c. checkpoints
d. customs

6. Now I am unemployed, I have too much time ____________ and don't

know what to do with myself!
a. to hand
b. on my hands
c. in hand
d. in my hands

7. The judge gave out what was widely considered to be a ____________

sentence due to the convicted man's deep remorse at his crime.
a. dull
b. brief
c. fast
d. lenient

8. The law banning handguns and other ____________ arms was passed by
the parliament without delay.
a. lethal
b. mortal
c. deathly
d. fatal
9. The police caught him as he was running away from the blazing house
and he was charged the following day with ____________. His plan was to
collect on his house insurance.
a. fraud
b. forgery
c. arson
d. burglary

10. "Do you want any of these company lottery tickets, Barry?" "Oh, yes.
Put me ____________ for three. I will get a couple for my wife too."
a. up
b. in
c. out
d. down
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 10

1. We won the ____________ part of two million dollars on the lottery.

a. most
b. best
c. largest
d. greatest

2 Hopes are ____________ of finding anyone else alive after a fishing boat
went down off the Scottish coast late last night. Three men were picked up
but another four are still missing.
a. dimming
b. dissolving
c. fading
d. reducing

3. You might have failed twice, but I think you should ____________ and
you will eventually succeed.
a. insist
b. prevail
c. persuade
d. persevere

4. The police spokesman said he was ____________ to believe that the

arrested man was the serial killer they had been looking for.
a. inclined
b. seemed
c. suspected
d. supposed

5. Even though the two men didn't commit any crime, the police were
alerted to their suspicious behaviour ____________ outside the bank for
nearly an hour.
a. waiting
b. hovering
c. loitering
d. lagging

6. The team threw on all their substitutes in the last five minutes, all to no
____________ as they lost the game narrowly by three points.
a. use
b. gain
c. avail
d. benefit
7. The ____________ of winter always brings reports of people getting
caught out by inclement weather when they least expected it.
a. onset
b. starting
c. onslaught
d. early

8. Soldiers reported many of the prisoners of war to be drunk from the

effects of vodka, used by the poorly equipped enemy soldiers to
____________ the pain of toothache.
a. lighten
b. lose
c. soothe
d. calm

9. There will be one general meeting per month, ____________ the usual
section meetings every week.
a. besides
b. apart
c. moreover
d. as well

10. There is no chance of you getting the promotion after only two months
working here, ____________ the great work you have done.
a. regardless
b. presuming
c. nevertheless
d. notwithstanding
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 11

1. The epidemic is thought to have started when the Brazilian monkey

travelled to Europe with a circus and ____________ some of the animals
there.
a. infested
b. was contagious to
c. infected
d. quarantined

2. His performance was so spectacular that he was ____________ out for

praise by the team manager at the end of the game.
a. singled
b. filtered
c. distinguished
d. selected

3. That is Suzy's car in the driveway. She ____________ at work!

a. shouldn't be
b. couldn't be
c. oughtn't be
d. can't be

4. You can decide not to go to university but you ____________ the risk of
not getting a good job later.
a. suffer
b. run
c. do
d. put

5. The costs of this plan for our company are ____________ by the
enormous benefits it will bring us and I think we should approve it as soon
as possible.
a. outrun
b. overrun
c. outweighed
d. overthrown

6. If we walk ____________ enough, we should arrive at the hostel before it

gets dark.
a. sharply
b. warmly
c. briskly
d. fluently
7. Now you mention his name, I do have a vague ____________ of having
once met Stephen Harmiss. But I couldn't tell you where it was!
a. remembrance
b. memorial
c. recollection
d. recall
e. memento
f. souvenir

8. The murder suspect managed to throw the police ____________ the trail
with a brilliant alibi.
a. on
b. out of
c. about
d. off

9. Don't worry about swimming with that watch on. It is ____________. You
can't damage it.
a. waterproof
b. watertight
c. foolproof
d. water-free

10. ____________ my boss notices what I do in the office, I might as well

not be there!
a. Concerning
b. For all
c. Whenever
d. With regards to
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 12

1. As you can see Mr. Beeston, this apartment is lovely and ____________
and gets the sun for most of the day. It would be wonderful here in the
summer.
a. breezy
b. airy
c. draughty
d. windy

2. The nation went into two days of official ____________ when the
president was killed.
a. grief
b. sadness
c. mourning
d. misery

3. Police knew the escaped bear was in the area but it proved
____________ and they eventually gave up the hunt.
a. ecstatic
b. evasive
c. effective
d. elusive

4. Talent, luck and bribery will get you so far in this world but there is no
____________ for hard work!
a. alternative
b. imitation
c. substitute
d. model

5. Look, everything is half price in that shop window. They are having a
____________ sale!
a. moving on
b. closing down
c. setting off
d. breaking down

6. Looking after four children alone took its ____________ on Jennifer but
she coped admirably.
a. stress
b. strain
c. weight
d. toll
7. He finally managed to find a hotel, ____________ a very expensive one,
and they were both relieved.
a. however
b. albeit
c. even though
d. but

8. That was a very tasty stew Mrs. Honeywell. Can I have another
____________?
a. dose
b. bout
c. ration
d. helping

9. OK, I just made "turnip" for 18 points, Gary. Now, it's your
____________.
a. game
b. pass
c. try
d. go

10. I don't think I have enough money till the weekend even for myself,
____________ lend you any!
a. not speaking to
b. let alone
c. not counting
d. except
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 13

1. I didn't break anything when I fell over, but I ended up with a great
purple ____________ on my thigh.
a. fracture
b. wound
c. injury
d. bruise

2. Harold's problems began when he fell ____________ the wrong type of

person and he ended up becoming a criminal himself.
a. out with
b. in with
c. for
d. back on

3. I will not be made the ____________ for this disaster. I acted on the
advice of people above me in this company and if I go, I am taking them
with me!
a. loser
b. sacrifice
c. scapegoat
d. target

4. The weather across most of the New England area will be very
____________ today. Some showers but with plenty of sunshine too.
a. various
b. changed
c. changeable
d. diverse

5. The economy did very well for a number of years until public expenditure
began to ____________ tax collected by the government.
a. outstrip
b. overtake
c. outrun
d. catch up

6. And, finally, remember that in the desert, your body will ____________ a
lot of energy just on keeping cool.
a. waste
b. spend
c. invest
d. expend
7. I wish you kids would just shut up for five minutes. I have got a
____________ headache!
a. drumming
b. splitting
c. hammering
d. beating

8. Oh! I stood up too quickly. I feel a bit ____________.

a. sore
b. dizzy
c. hungover
d. unconscious

9. When you put the hot water into the bowl, be careful not to
____________ yourself.
a. sear
b. melt
c. scald
d. blister

10. The store detective saw him put the chocolate into his pocket and for the
sake of a $2 candy bar, he was charged with ____________.
a. burglary
b. mugging
c. embezzlement
d. shop-lifting
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 14

1. The investigation after the accident found that someone had

____________ with the rocket's fuel systems causing the launchpad
explosion.
a. fiddled
b. tampered
c. adjusted
d. fidgeted

2. Although a ____________ retina sounds very serious, the operation to

repair it only took a short time.
a. disconnected
b. detached
c. dismounted
d. decentralised

3. Harrison ____________ the ball in the last minute! His team-mates look
furious as their last chance for victory slips away.
a. fumbles
b. stumbles
c. mumbles
d. cuddles

4. The robbery was carried out in ____________ daylight and with hundreds
of witnesses present.
a. open
b. wide
c. broad
d. clear

5. Along with your new responsibilities, you will also have ____________ to
highly confidential information about the staff here, so we need you to sign a
new agreement promising not to disclose anything.
a. access
b. entrance
c. contact
d. admission

6. Do you know what the letters D.V.D ____________?

a. stand by
b. stand down
c. stand for
d. stand over
7. Come on Jane. Stop ____________ and make a decision and then we can
go!
a. loitering
b. delaying
c. faltering
d. dithering

8. The unmanned ____________ left Earth in 1986 and reached Saturn this
week where it will take photos and radio other information back to us here.
a. buoy
b. drill
c. robot
d. probe

9. That car is a bit on the costly ____________! I think I will think about it
for a few days. 
a. part
b. front
c. side
d. level

10. In some parts of Europe, being in ____________ of cannabis is legal

although selling it to others is still illegal.
a. hold
b. control
c. possession
d. ownership
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 15

1. Suddenly, Hoskins looked up as the train ____________ to an abrupt

halt. Maybe the KGB had discovered his whereabouts.
a. came
b. went
c. arrived
d. brought

2. You haven't cooked this meat enough Andrew. Mine is almost

____________!
a. raw
b. rare
c. undone
d. fresh

3. I do like the new boss but he is just a bit too bossy for my
____________.
a. taste
b. suit
c. flavour
d. liking

4. You will know if the bomb arms itself. It will ____________ a high-
pitched sound for about ten seconds before it goes off.
a. admit
b. expel
c. emit
d. eject

5. She hid the killer for two days in her house and has now been charged
with ____________ the course of justice.
a. diverting
b. converting
c. perverting
d. subverting

6. Did you hear that old Harris has married Jessica, the daughter of the
Duchess of Wilmslow! That is quite a ____________ in my opinion.
a. haul
b. asset
c. loot
d. catch

7. The consequences of this terrorist attack will be ____________. World

peace is truly under threat.
a. dire
b. stringent
c. absurd
d. callous

8. Don't touch that letter yet. I have just written it with my new ink pen and
it will ____________.
a. blur
b. fog
c. smudge
d. smear

9. There will be a long ____________ process before you can be considered

for this highly sensitive post. We will let you know in about three months if
we can continue with the application.
a. controlling
b. screening
c. monitoring
d. testing
10. The company bought, then sold, their main rivals at a large profit and
the ____________ were used to improve technology in the factories
worldwide.
a. assets
b. rewards
c. proceeds
d. costs
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 16

1. Most of the examination is written but there is also a(n) ____________

part which I am really worried about.
a. vocal
b. verbal
c. oral
d. wordy

2. I thought the teacher would be really angry but he was pretty

____________ in his punishment of us actually.
a. lax
b. loophole
c. lenient
d. loose

3. We replaced the broken vase with a very similar one that we found the
next day in the market and they were ____________ the wiser when they
returned from their vacation.
a. not
b. none
c. less
d. nothing

4. ____________ with anger, Mr. Jensson stormed into the local tax office
and demanded to see someone about his case which had dragged on for
nearly three years.
a. brimming
b. pouring
c. stewing
d. seething
5. I never had a moment to myself Tony. I never ____________ looking at
your broken radio. Sorry!
a. got round to
b. got over
c. found out about
d. got away with

6. We must have wasted half the morning at the post office. There were only
three ____________ open and the rest of the staff were just sat around
smoking and reading newspapers. I was furious!
a. stalls
b. counters
c. tills
d. booths
7. Wow! That was delicious Marny! I have to ____________ it to you: yours
is the best tiramisu in the world!
a. hand
b. praise
c. reward
d. allow

8. EduScope is the new ____________ which advises the government about

new policies in education. Most of the members are former teachers or
school administrators.
a. ministry
b. party
c. think-tank
d. brainstorm

9. Archeology students often go on a lot of ____________ to get practical

experience of archeological digs happening in their area.
a. field trips
b. apprenticeships
c. seminars
d. conferences

10. My new secretary doesn't even know ____________. It takes her an age
to copy down a letter that I dictate to her.
a. handwriting
b. calligraphy
c. shorthand
d. graphology
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 17

1. Harry thought about betting $200 on a horse called Lucky Harry in the
year's biggest horse race but lost his ____________ at the last moment.
Fortunately, it fell at the first hurdle!
a. head
b. nerve
c. mind
d. heart

2. I know the truth will finally ____________ and when it does, he who is
guilty will be made to pay!
a. out
b. emerge
c. reveal
d. arise

3. The company's financial ____________ was so serious that investors

were warned that they could lose all their money.
a. plight
b. dead-end
c. impasse
d. breakdown

4. Are you doing this English course with a(n) ____________ to getting a
better job or not?
a. idea
b. vocation
c. intention
d. view

5. If you are ____________ so much with the new Calculus course, why
don't you consider doing a few private lessons?
a. fighting
b. struggling
c. battling
d. straining

6. ____________ your continued late arrival at work, I have been pleased

with your work here.
a. nonetheless
b. nevertheless
c. regardless
d. notwithstanding
7. Ever since he was bitten on the leg by Harry's dog, he has walked with a
____________.
a. stagger
b. mumble
c. limp
d. fumble

8. By 2am, the number of people at the party had ____________ to almost

zero and we left too.
a. subsided
b. dwindled
c. lessened
d. deteriorated

9. Once we knew he didn't take ____________ to being imitated, we

stopped immediately.
a. kindly
b. fondly
c. nicely
d. warmly

10. The Prime Minister has said that a tiny, unruly ____________ within the
otherwise peaceful demonstration was to blame for the trouble which
followed.
a. segment
b. division
c. element
d. portion
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 18

1. The fish will already give this soup enough salt so you won't need to add
much - maybe just a ____________.
a. sip
b. drop
c. pinch
d. grain

2. Stop ____________ me in the back with your finger please. If you want
something, just ask like everyone else!
a. prodding
b. banging
c. pinching
d. slapping

3. A good teacher must be a(n) ____________ one, always prepared to

introduce new ideas and technology into the classroom.
a. inventive
b. innovative
c. reformative
d. rebellious

4. Having spent too much time playing basketball in his spare time, Roger
now found he was falling ____________ the other students in the other
subjects at school.
a. down
b. back
c. behind
d. over

5. Tying all the little pieces of string together to make the long chain was a
slow, ____________ process which took us over six days in all.
a. labourious
b. employed
c. workmanlike
d. conscientious

6. Due to heavy snow and high winds, the Bishop Mountain Nature Park will
be ____________ for at least the next few days.
a. inaccessible
b. exclusive
c. remote
d. elusive
7. I have done more than my fair ____________ of work. Now I am having
a rest.
a. portion
b. ration
c. share
d. division

8. With the new bridge open across the estuary, the old car ferry was made
____________.
a. redundant
b. unemployed
c. retired
d. extinct

9. When I say I want you to be here at six o'clock, I mean six o'clock
____________. You cannot be late under any circumstances!
a. on the edge
b. at the moment
c. on the dot
d. in detail

10. It was 238 years ago on this ____________ day that the town was
founded.
a. own
b. absolute
c. very
d. real
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 19

1. The spacecraft ___________ into space and then spent three days
getting to the Moon.
a. hurled
b. threw
c. blasted
d. orbited

2. New drugs need to be tested for years to see if there are any
___________ effects which could be harmful.
a. long-range
b. long-term
c. long-gone
d. long-felt

3. The opposition protests against the government now threaten to get out
of ___________ and the security forces are likely to make arrests around
the country today.
a. reach
b. kilter
c. hand
d. the ordinary

4. The police, ___________ convinced of the suspect's guilt, began to follow

him covertly 24 hours a day.
a. greatly
b. enough
c. powerfully
d. utterly

5. The room fell silent when Johnson, unaware of the couple's history,
___________ the subject of divorce.
a. brought about
b. brought in
c. brought up
d. brought off

6. I suppose I always felt a certain amount of jealousy towards Elvin who

was always such a well ___________ young man.
a. thought about
b. thought up
c. thought through
d. thought of
7. I can't stand opera. I can't even ___________ myself to listen to five
minutes of it on a CD.
a. take
b. give
c. make
d. bring

8. Don't worry about those two rowing. They have a long history
___________ back to when they were at college together. I think they even
enjoy arguing.
a. stretching
b. lying
c. returning
d. coming
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 20

1. The sales department was ___________ with complaints after the faulty
washing machine went on sale nationwide.
a. attacked
b. flooded
c. wetted
d. sieged

2. The police were called out in the early hours of the morning when there
was a ___________ involving a few teenagers.
a. disturbance
b. riot
c. outcry
d. campaign

3. Morale at the football club began to decline as the ___________

departure of the coach approached.
a. future
b. predictable
c. nearby
d. forthcoming

4. The coach has ___________ fit to move to another club after some
disputes over player contracts.
a. seen
b. looked
c. seemed
d. chosen

5. ___________ on by my husband, I applied for the job I had always

dreamt of having.
a. begged
b. obliged
c. urged
d. pleaded

6. As you are no doubt ___________ aware, your lies have shown you to be
an untrustworthy employee and we will have to let you go.
a. steadily
b. painfully
c. apparently
d. sharply
7. The train finally arrived, covered in snow after two further hours.
___________ to say, when I arrived at the restaurant, there was no sign of
Maggie at all.
a. silly
b. useless
c. wasteful
d. needless

8. Did you ever realise you have an uncanny ___________ of coming down
to the kitchen just as I am about to serve dinner? Very strange!
a. habit
b. knack
c. trick
d. routine
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 21

1. You seem a strong candidate Mr. Williams but you don't quite
___________ our requirements for this post.
a. meet
b. reach
c. achieve
d. gain

2. ___________ by both financial and emotional problems, the father

decided he had had enough and slipped away from the house quietly at
dawn.
a. pressured
b. beset
c. filled
d. drowned

3. I felt let down by a very unsupportive boardroom, ___________ by the

very chairman himself, Wilson Gray. I had no choice but to resign.
a. at most
b. not least
c. notwithstanding
d. henceforth

4. If they ask you about me, don't ___________ that you know where I am,
OK?
a. let on
b. give in
c. give on
d. let in

5. Just remember that August in Australia is ___________ with a North

American December, though it doesn't snow!
a. on level
b. on a par
c. evens
d. compared

6. A(n) ___________ diamond such as this would fetch over one hundred
thousand if put up for auction.
a. error free
b. consistent
c. flawless
d. persistent

7. Only when explorers finally penetrated the ___________ forests of

Central and South America were these ruins revealed to the world at last.
a. solid
b. heavy
c. tangled
d. dense

8. The average Siberian Stoat family group ___________ one male, two or
three females and the young of all of the females.
a. consists
b. constituting
c. comprises
d. makes up
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 22

1. The difference between roads and rivers is not very ___________ defined
on this map. That could be a problem.
a. solidly
b. markedly
c. distinctly
d. clearly

2. Out upon the cloud covered hills, we only caught the occasional glimpse
of the town lights ___________ far below in the valley.
a. sparkling
b. glimmering
c. flashing
d. beaming

3. After a month, I will ___________ the ropes and won't keep bothering
you for help.
a. show
b. learn
c. get
d. finish

4. Here's something that will give you ___________ for thought. Every year,
there are 90 million more people on the Earth than the year before!
a. stop
b. break
c. reason
d. pause

5. And also among our guests tonight, we are fortunate enough to have the
___________ environmentalist Kathy Wong.
a. notorious
b. eminent
c. prestigious
d. monumental

6. When I ___________ my fingers, I want you to stop playing but continue

to tap your feet to the rhythm.
a. break
b. crack
c. click
d. bang
7. ___________ retrospect, we should have noticed how unhappy Carla had
become in her marriage. I partly blame myself.
a. in
b. with
c. at
d. under

8. Haiti is by far and ___________ the most beautiful place I have ever
been to.
a. above
b. over
c. along
d. away
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 23

1. Do you realise I have now written over a hundred letters of application in

___________ of a new job. I should become a secretary!
a. hunt
b. quest
c. search
d. seek

2. I am afraid to inform the cabinet that there is a traitor in our

___________. We have begun an investigation to find out who the culprit is.
a. midst
b. crew
c. middle
d. centre

3. Why are you ___________ at me in that suspicious way? I didn't do

anything!
a. staring
b. peering
c. gazing
d. glancing

4. The young rookie scored over 20 goals in his first year, taking the whole
league by ___________.
a. force
b. example
c. storm
d. assault

5. I hope you won't feel too ___________ if I turn up at the last minute. The
hotel was fully booked!
a. put in
b. put out
c. put up
d. put away

6. Hubert ___________ remembered locking the door and couldn't

understand how it was now standing wide open.
a. distinctly
b. sharply
c. totally
d. utterly
7. A lesser know symptom of this condition is that you will suddenly have
panic attacks and ___________ cold sweats with little or no warning.
a. break into
b. come across
c. give off
d. switch on

8. If you are looking for Sheila, she is over in the corner of the library with
her head ___________ in her books.
a. covered
b. entombed
c. buried
d. drowned
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 24

1. Your laziness has ___________ in these terrible exam results. You only
have yourself to blame.
a. led
b. caused
c. contributed
d. resulted

2. I have tried every product on the market and still I can't rid these curtains
of the ___________ of cigarette smoke.
a. fumes
b. fragrance
c. stench
d. aroma

3. Granddad would spend hours talking to us youngsters around the dinner

table ___________ about his happy younger days back east on the farm.
a. recalling
b. reminiscing
c. reminding
d. memorising

4. Many celebrities complain about the media attention but I think many of
them thrive on being in the ___________.
a. torch-light
b. headlight
c. floodlight
d. limelight

5. James Dean became something of a(n) ___________ for rebellious

teenagers across America in the 1950s.
a. model
b. figure
c. icon
d. status symbol

6. The winning team were roundly criticised by the local media for the way in
which they had ___________ over the losing team. It was considered very
unsporting.
a. gloated
b. relished
c. showed up
d. dominated

7. Mike spent three days at the driving centre before giving up. He just
couldn't ___________ to grips with driving such a large truck.
a. take
b. get
c. reach
d. beat

8. I retired three years ago and didn't know what to do with myself. Getting
this dog has given me a new ___________ of life.
a. burst
b. loan
c. lease
d. extension
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 25

1. Local police have promised to ___________ on the rampant drug scene

that is thought to have contributed to the death of two teenagers last week.
a. crack down
b. weigh down
c. put down
d. come down

2. We used to spend hours on this beach, ___________ among the rocks

and the sand dunes. Seems like centuries ago!
a. scuttling
b. limping
c. clambering
d. hopping

3. My responsibility is to keep a ___________ rein on company expenses

and try to see us in the black for the next financial year. I know it won't be
easy!
a. shorter
b. looser
c. longer
d. tighter

4. Apparently, the sailor spent three days on the beach before anyone found
him and sent for help. It doesn't surprise me: that is a very deserted
___________ of coastline.
a. zone
b. stretch
c. corridor
d. swathe

5. Young children are ___________ often willing to behave stupidly to

impress their friends.
a. all so
b. all very
c. all too
d. all but

6. The quickest way to the castle is to ___________ for that large hill and
cross the river on the new bridge. Then you can't miss it.
a. go
b. reach
c. set
d. make

7. There's no ___________ asking me to pay for those shoes. You ruined

them, you pay for them!
a. use
b. motive
c. point
d. need

8. The vagrant came out of the shop, ___________ for about 10 paces
before falling against a car.
a. stammered
b. tripped
c. staggered
d. skidded
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 26

1. Sir, are you aware that local fire restrictions ___________ the number of
people allowed in a club this size to 200?
a. top
b. cap
c. stop
d. limit

2. If Harold never won any cups, why is his name ___________ onto this
golfing trophy?
a. daubed
b. scribbled
c. carved
d. etched

3. The extensive winds that have been ___________ Florida will move away
as the weekend draws to a close.
a. battering
b. punching
c. cracking
d. thumping

4. Despite the scandal, the leader emerged with his reputation

___________.
a. untarnished
b. unpolluted
c. unimpaired
d. unfettered

5. Three of the escapees have now been recaptured but police spokesmen
have said they are concerned that, of the fourth prisoner, ___________
information is known that could help the authorities put him back behind
bars.
a. scant
b. rare
c. slight
d. a little

6. If the manager says anything about the missed deadline, just

___________ your tongue, say nothing and we can discuss it later.
a. eat
b. swallow
c. bite
d. suck

7. I didn't realise you were so ___________ interested in fishing.

a. vividly
b. keenly
c. extensively
d. patently

8. The most important parts of your job may seem difficult now but they will
become second ___________ to you within a couple of weeks.
a. instinct
b. thought
c. nature
d. mind
Multiple Choice Cloze Worksheet 27

1. The laws are in place to protect the monuments but the guards often turn
a blind ___________ to what people get up to here.
a. look
b. glance
c. watch
d. eye

2. As soon as the bomb was discovered by one of the cleaning staff, the
police had the area ___________ off and no-one was allowed within two
blocks of the cafe.
a. fenced
b. cordoned
c. walled
d. isolated

3. We had a great birthday dinner but I didn't expect it to ___________ us

back quite so much. That place is expensive!
a. get
b. hit
c. cost
d. set

4. Funding to the sales department should be increased but not at the

___________ of other sections of the company.
a. expense
b. detriment
c. disadvantage
d. punishment

5. On the last day of the festival, we have a choice between a battle re-
enactment and a poetry ___________ near the abbey.
a. show
b. performance
c. recital
d. telling

6. "Who is that strange woman ___________ you from across the room?
She looks quite aggressive."
a. gazing
b. staring
c. eyeing
d. peering

7. ___________ how nicely she asks me, I don't see why I should help her
after her earlier attitude.
a. No matter
b. No doubt
c. No need
d. No importance

8. Ladies and gentlemen, we may soon have to change ___________

slightly to avoid a dangerous looking thunderstorm up ahead. We will keep
you informed at all times.
a. track
b. tack
c. path
d. course