Rooting for the Outsider

C2 Proficiency · 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.

There is something about an underdog that brings (0) ___ the romantic in all of us. Even spectators with no particular allegiance will, (1) ___ often than not, find themselves cheering for the side that nobody expects to win. Psychologists have put forward various theories to account (2) ___ this. One is that we identify (3) ___ the underdog's struggle, since most of us know only too well what it is like to be at a disadvantage. Another is that an unexpected victory simply makes for a better story (4) ___ yet another win for the favourites. We may also be moved by a sense of fair (5) ___ : it seems only right that the mighty should be humbled now and then. Our loyalty, however, is more fragile than it appears, and it tends to evaporate (6) ___ moment the underdog starts winning regularly. It seems that what we cherish is (7) ___ so much the team itself as the rare thrill of seeing the natural order turned on (8) ___ head.

Rooting for the Outsider

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