A Table for One

C2 Proficiency · Multiple Choice Cloze · Cambridge Ready original exercise

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

down

out

up

off

helmet

shield

gauntlet

visor

vow

pledge

testify

swear

make

do

hold

have

unbroken

undivided

unshared

unparted

discrete

discerning

discreet

distinct

serve

supply

furnish

cater

put

set

laid

took

For many people, eating alone in a restaurant is a (0) ___ prospect. They fear that other diners will assume they have been stood (1) ___ , and so they bury themselves in a book or a phone, less for entertainment than as a (2) ___ against curious glances. Yet seasoned solo diners (3) ___ by the experience. Freed from any obligation to (4) ___ conversation, they can give the food their (5) ___ attention, noticing textures and flavours that might otherwise pass them by. They can eat at their own pace, linger over dessert and indulge in a little (6) ___ people-watching. Restaurants, too, have begun to (7) ___ for the growing number of customers who prefer their own company, with counter seating, smaller portions and staff who no longer greet a lone guest with a look of sympathy. What was once a source of embarrassment is gradually becoming one of life's quieter pleasures, and those who try it often wonder why they (8) ___ off trying it for so long.

A Table for One

daunted

daunting

dreading

deterring

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

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