Is nothing impossible? - Test 4

C2 Proficiency · Open Cloze · Cambridge English Proficiency 2, Cambridge University Press

For questions 1–8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space.

It is certainly the case that believers in 'nothing is impossible' base their blind optimism (0) ___ a kernel of truth. Strictly (1) ___ , as logicians are keen to remind us, only (2) ___ which involves a logical contradiction is impossible. So two plus two cannot equal five, (3) ___ can there ever be any truly square circles. However, the limits that most of us have in (4) ___ when we worry about our lives are rarely logical. For as (5) ___ as something remains logically possible, some people can't help (6) ___ wonder if their dream might become reality. This is exacerbated by the fact that our culture encourages people to (7) ___ big and believe that 'impossibility' is nothing more than the creation of a negative mind. It is far simpler, though, to concentrate on levels of difficulty and chances of success. If the former are too high and the latter too low, there's hardly any point in adding 'but it isn't impossible, (8) ___ enough desire or support'.

Is nothing impossible?

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