Four Prongs and a Handle

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.

It is hard to picture a dinner table without forks, yet for centuries most Europeans regarded them (0) ___ an unnecessary luxury. Food was eaten with the fingers, a knife and a spoon, and those who first adopted the new tool were often accused (1) ___ affectation. The idea of needing a special instrument merely to lift food to one's mouth seemed to many people faintly ridiculous. It took a long time for the habit to catch (2) ___ , and even in wealthy households forks were often reserved (3) ___ guests and special occasions. Early versions had only two prongs, which made them good for holding meat steady while it was being cut but (4) ___ use at all for peas. Only when extra prongs were added (5) ___ the fork really come (6) ___ its own. Table manners changed accordingly. The way people hold a knife and fork still varies (7) ___ one country to another, yet few of us today would dream (8) ___ sitting down to a formal meal without one.

Four Prongs and a Handle

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

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