The Leaning Tower of Pisa - Page 131

C2 Proficiency · Multiple Choice Cloze · Ready for C2 Proficiency Student's Book, Macmillan

For questions 1–8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.

mercy

forefront

expense

spot

held

lasted

stood

remained

resilience

fortitude

tenacity

resistance

eventuality

appearances

odds

likelihood

concrete

stable

anchored

substantial

Flippantly

Ironically

Incongruously

Ambiguously

revealed

arisen

materialised

transpired

transfused

instilled

lodged

permeated

Scientists and engineers have long been (0) ___ by the Leaning Tower of Pisa's remarkable ability to remain standing over several centuries despite its almost four-degree tilt and having been at the (1) ___ of numerous earthquakes since its construction was completed in 1372. To the naked eye, it appears extremely precarious and likely to collapse at any moment, and yet it has (2) ___ the test of time. New research suggests that the tower's (3) ___ can be attributed to the soil it is built on and a pause early on in the construction works that had the unintended effect of strengthening the foundations. Over the course of the 12th century, the city of Pisa engaged in several battles with other nearby towns and cities which caused construction to cease. Experts now suggest that in all (4) ___ this was responsible for the tower being so (5) ___ since it allowed it to gradually sink further into the soft soil. (6) ___ , the soft soil which caused it to lean in the first place has (7) ___ to be its saviour too. Restoration work carried out in the early 20th century to reinforce the foundations has (8) ___ confidence amongst scientists and engineers, and they believe that the tower is unlikely to collapse any time soon. In fact, not for at least another two hundred years.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

deluded

conned

baffled

fazed

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