Rain or Shine

C1 Advanced · Open Cloze · Cambridge Ready original exercise

For questions 1–8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning.

Today the umbrella is (0) ___ ordinary an object that few of us give it a second thought. In many parts of the world, however, it began as a shade from the sun, and in Europe only much later (1) ___ people begin carrying one against the rain. In several ancient societies, a parasol was a symbol of rank, carried (2) ___ servants above the heads of the powerful. When umbrellas first began to appear on European streets as protection against the weather, the reaction was anything (3) ___ enthusiastic. Men who carried one were laughed (4) ___ for being weak or vain, and the drivers of horse-drawn cabs, (5) ___ trade depended on wet weather, were said to be particularly hostile. Gradually, though, people came round (6) ___ the idea, and the umbrella became as much a part of a city gentleman's appearance (7) ___ his hat. Remarkably, its basic design has changed very little (8) ___ then, although modern versions are far lighter and many fold away small enough to fit into a bag.

Rain or Shine

Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.

More C1 Advanced Open Cloze practice · All C1 Advanced practice