PREPARATION 7S

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. Cycling makes financial sense These days, most people are aware .... the environmental impact of motor vehicles, and they realise that cars are responsible .... many of the problems facing their cities. Not .... people, however, ever stop .... think about how much money they would save by switching from driving to cycling. Cars cost a lot to buy, and .... other major investments such as houses, they quickly lose their value. On .... of that, there are running costs such as repair bills, tax and insurance, all of .... seem to go up every year. Bicycles, by contrast, are far .... expensive to purchase and maintain, do not require petrol and are easy to park. And if a lot more people took up cycling, the government could spend less of the nation’s resources on roads, which at present their taxes help pay for .... they drive on them or not. many, less, whether of, top, to, for, like,.

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 (0). Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet. Example: 0 A open B think C find D look C is correct The importance of science The aim of science is to (0) ........ out how the world and everything in it, and beyond it, works. Some people, though, (1) .... that much of what is done in the name of science is a waste of time and money. What is the (2) ..... in investigating how atoms behave or in studying stars billions of kilometres away? Science, they argue, is of (3).... only if it has some practical use. When the Scottish scientist James Clerk Maxwell (4) .... experiments with electricity and magnetism in the late 19th century, he had no particular end in (5) ..... and was certainly not (6) .... to make money; he was simply trying to reveal more about how the world works. And yet his work laid the (7) .... for our modern way of life. Computers, the internet, satellites, mobile phones, televisions, medical scanners all owe their existence to the fact that a scientist (8) .... the need to understand the world a little better. carried out, aiming, felt mind, claim, foundations, point, value,.

For questions 1-7, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap. There is an example at the beginning (0). Example: 0 financial Work and Career For many people, finding the right job is not only about (0) ........ (FINANCE) security but also about personal satisfaction. A career can give people (1) .... (MOTIVATE) and purpose. Yet, the world of work is changing fast. Globalisation and technology mean that (2) ... (TRAIN) is essential if workers are to stay relevant. Employers now look for (3) .... (FLEXIBLE) employees who can adapt quickly. At the same time, job (4) .... (EMPLOY) is a serious problem in many countries, especially among young people. Governments are under pressure to create (5) .... (PRACTICE) programmes that prepare students for the modern workplace. Ultimately, a successful career requires not just hard work, but also (6) ... (CONFIDENT), persistence, and a bit of (7) .... (LUCK). motivation, luck training, unemployment, practical, flexibility, confidence,.

Read the text below and type the correct letter (A–M) in each gap to complete the paragraphs. There are three extra sentences. Sentence Options: A. It allows employees to work remotely a few days a week and come to the office on others. B. Yet, not everyone is enthusiastic about this new way of working. C. The long-term impact remains to be seen. D. Many employees report feeling more efficient when working remotely. E. This new lifestyle also offers unexpected benefits for the environment. F. As more companies shift to remote models, city centres may become less crowded. G. Many people miss the spontaneous conversations that happen in traditional office spaces. H. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and companies are adapting in different ways. I. Some people find it hard to separate their personal and professional lives. J. This enables workers from smaller towns to access better-paying jobs in urban companies. K. Success in a virtual environment often depends on strong leadership and communication. L. These tools are becoming more user-friendly and accessible across devices. M. This trend is being driven by both technological advances and changes in employee expectations. More people than ever are working from home, in cafés, or even while traveling. This shift in work culture is changing not only how people do their jobs, but also where and when they do them. ( ) For many, this flexibility is one of the biggest advantages. Employees can structure their day around their most productive hours and personal commitments. However, not everything about remote work is easy. ( ) Others struggle with staying motivated or avoiding distractions. Productivity can drop if people don't create a routine that suits them. There’s also the issue of communication. ( ) Without those quick chats by the coffee machine, some workers feel isolated or disconnected from their team. Technology, of course, plays a vital role. ( ) Tools like video conferencing and shared online documents help teams work together, even across continents. Still, managers often face new challenges in leading remote teams. ( ) Providing regular feedback, setting clear goals, and building trust from a distance require new skills. Some companies are experimenting with hybrid models. ( ) This approach offers the benefits of flexibility while maintaining some in-person collaboration. The trend is also reshaping cities and infrastructure. ( ) Fewer commuters can mean reduced traffic and less strain on public transportation systems. Economically, remote work is creating opportunities. ( ) People can live in less expensive areas without giving up big-city jobs. However, this may also increase inequality. ( ) Those in sectors that require physical presence—like health care or construction— don’t have the same options. In the end, remote work seems here to stay. ( ) What’s clear is that it’s changing more than just our workplaces — it’s changing our lives. a, f, m, l, i, b, k, g, j, c.

5. 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. The Mediterranean Lifestyle The Mediterranean diet, much more than just a meal plan, is a lifestyle embraced by people (0) LIVING around the Mediterranean Sea. This diet is not only about what you eat, but also how you eat. Meals are often shared (1) ... family and friends, making dining a social experience. Olive oil is the primary source of fat, used generously in most dishes. It's not just about the food, though. The diet encourages a love for physical activity, advocating for regular walks at a leisurely pace, often by the sea. Wine, especially red, is consumed moderately, typically with meals. The Mediterranean diet is diverse, with each region bringing its own unique flavours (2) ... the table. The diet largely consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and seafood, with meat taking a back seat. Embracing this diet could mean adopting a healthier lifestyle, one that is more about savouring each moment and less about counting calories. It's a celebration of culture and cuisine, where every meal is a chance to connect with the beauty of the Mediterranean way of life. with, to.

For questions 1-8, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap. There is an example at the beginning (0). Example: 0 discussion Space Tourism Space tourism has become a topic of (0) ........ (DISCUSS) around the world. Although still very (1) .... (COST), private companies are already offering trips to the edge of space. Critics argue that such journeys are a waste of money and energy, but enthusiasts claim they will inspire a new generation of scientists. Supporters also believe that developments in this area will eventually lead to cheaper flights and better technology for everyone. Safety, however, remains a major concern. Rockets are dangerous machines, and even a small (2) .... (FAIL) could be fatal. For now, space tourism is limited to those with great extreme wealth. Still, the dream of ordinary people reaching the stars continues. failure costly,.

For questions 1-8, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap. There is an example at the beginning (0). Example: 0 strength Smartphones have changed the way we live, work and communicate. One of their greatest (0) ........ (STRONG) is the ability to access information instantly. Yet, experts warn that (1) .... (EXCESS) use of smartphones can cause problems. For instance, studies have shown that constant distraction may reduce people’s ability to concentrate. Psychologists also suggest that the division between online life and real life is becoming less clear. Nevertheless, smartphones remain valuable tools for business, education and leisure. Their popularity shows no sign of declining. In fact, the market is becoming even more (2) .... (COMPETE) as companies compete to win customers. The question is whether society can balance convenience with well-being. competitive excessive,.

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 (0). Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet. Example: 0 OF Food preservation Keeping food for long periods (0) ........ time was historically a huge problem. This proved especially crucial at times when agricultural production (1) .... severely limited by weather or crop failure. People commonly used ice to keep food fresh but, of course, ice itself melts relatively quickly. In 1859 an American, John Mason, invented a glass jar with a metal screw-on lid, creating a perfect seal and making it possible to preserve food that would previously not have remained edible. Mason’s jar is still in use throughout the world. An even more successful method for keeping food by canning it in metal containers was perfected between 1870 (2) ....1920 by Englishman Bryan Donkin. This preserved food beautifully, though the early iron cans were expensive, heavy and difficult to open. A breakthrough came in the 1880s with the development of lighter materials which also enabled mass production of cans. AND WAS,.

For questions 1–8, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap. Use only one word in each gap. Don't write in capital letters. In the not-too-distant past farm animals were able to live (0) NATURAL (NATURE) lives in what we would now term 'free-range' conditions. Such farming methods, however, were not able to supply the rapidly growing population of the world and the increasing demands on food (1) .... (CONSUME). In order to cope with this rising demand, factory farming methods were introduced along with the development of genetically engineered growth hormones, which resulted in a massive increase in food production. However, these developments in the use of factory farming and drug (2) .... (TREAT) have led to a widespread feeling that animals are being caused a lot of distress and that the quality of the food itself suffers as a consequence. Certainly, many people disagree with the idea of keeping animals in one building for their entire existence and argue that more emphasis should be given to alternative farming methods. consumption, treatment.

For questions 1–8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. Social Media and News In the past, people relied mainly on newspapers and television to keep up with current events. Today, social media platforms have become a major source of news for millions of users around the world. While this has made information more (1) .... than ever before, it has also raised serious concerns. One problem is that stories can be (2) .... extremely quickly, often before anyone has checked whether they are true. In many cases, the information turns out to be false, but by then it has already (3) .... a wide audience. Another issue is the way algorithms work. They (4) .... the kind of stories you are shown, often pushing you towards content that matches your interests or opinions. Although this might (5) .... sense from a commercial point of view, it can also create “echo chambers,” where people only hear views they already agree with. As a result, it is more important than ever to (6) .... news from a range of different sources, and to (7) .... critically about what you read online. Schools and universities are now beginning to (8) include media literacy into their curricula to help students cope with this challenge. shared, accessible, reached, verify, make, determine, think, include.

For questions 1-7, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap. There is an example at the beginning (0). Example: 0 expensive The price of meals When a meal is (0) ........ (EXPENSE), do people say they enjoy it simply because it costs a lot of money? There is some (1) ... (EVIDENT) from an experiment in a New York restaurant which suggests that this might be so. The restaurant served diners a meal but charged some (2) ... (TWO) as much as others, even though the meals were identical and taken in the same (3) ... (SURROUND) with the same level of service. After the meal everyone was asked what they thought of the meal. One might think that the people who had paid least would be the most impressed with the meal. (4) .... (SURPRISE) though, it was those who had paid most who gave it the highest (5) .... (RATE). According to a well-known (6) ....(PSYCHOLOGY) the reason for this finding is that a high price for a meal is very (7) .... (SIGNIFY) in convincing people that a meal is good. One wonders if this might (8) .... (COURAGE) restaurant owners to keep their prices high. psychologist, surprisingly, encourage significant, surroundings, twice, evidence, rating,.

Read the text and choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) for each question. The Volunteer Who Changed a Village When 23-year-old Emma Taylor arrived in the remote village of Nkhata Bay, Malawi, she thought she would be spending a quiet year helping out at a school and learning about a different culture. She had signed up for a year-long volunteering program after finishing university, hoping to make a difference — even a small one. However, what started as a modest teaching role soon transformed into something far more impactful. Emma quickly noticed that many students, particularly girls, were absent for long periods. After asking around, she discovered that many families could not afford basic supplies like notebooks, pens, or even sanitary products. These challenges discouraged students from attending regularly, especially during exam periods. Rather than accepting the situation, Emma decided to act. With limited resources but a strong sense of determination, she contacted friends back home and launched a small fundraising campaign. The response was overwhelming — not only did she receive donations, but also offers to send materials. With these, Emma began organizing community sessions, distributing supplies and encouraging dialogue about education and its importance, especially for girls. By the end of her stay, school attendance had improved significantly. More importantly, the local teachers had taken over the sessions Emma had started, ensuring the support would continue. Although she returned to the UK after a year, Emma’s initiative inspired similar projects in neighbouring areas. Emma reflects modestly: “I didn’t plan to create any big change. I just couldn’t ignore what I saw. I did what I could.” Her actions demonstrate how one person, by refusing to look away, can become the spark for long-term progress. 1. Why did Emma originally go to Malawi? 2. What surprised Emma early in her volunteering? 3. According to the text, what was one reason girls missed school? 4. What was Emma’s reaction when she found out about the students' difficulties? 5. What does the writer suggest about Emma’s campaign? 6. What effect did Emma’s actions have on neighboring communities? 7. How does Emma feel about the outcome of her work? 8. Which of the following best describes the main message of the text?. C, D, B, C, C, B, B, C. B, B, C, D, C, A, C, B. A, C, B, C, C, D, D, A.

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 (0). Example: 0 OF Environmental Issues Climate change is now recognised as one (0)... the greatest challenges of our time. Rising global temperatures have already led (1)... unpredictable rainfall. Scientists agree that action must be taken immediately, but governments often disagree (2) .... how strict the measures should be. Some industries continue to resist change, arguing that new regulations will (3) .... jobs and harm the economy. Nevertheless, many countries are investing in renewable energy. Solar and wind power are becoming more affordable, and electric vehicles are growing in popularity. The hope is that clean energy will eventually take the place (4) .... Ultimately, protecting the planet is a responsibility we (5) .... share. Small changes, (6) .... as recycling or reducing waste, may seem unimportant, but together they make a difference. After (7) ..., there is no alternative planet to live on. on, all, all of, such, to, cost,.

14. For questions 1-8, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap. There is an example at the beginning (0). Example: O FANTASTIC The oldest house in Britain It was warm, round, had a (0)... (FANTASY) view of a lake and appears to have been occupied for several hundred years. Welcome to the oldest house in the UK, which was found with other fascinating relics (1) ....(NEAR) at a site in North Yorkshire. These remains are transforming our (2) ....(KNOW) of how Britain's earliest inhabitants lived. The structure was 3.5 metres in (3) ....(WIDE) and was supported by a circle of wooden posts. Dark, decayed matter at the center of the ruin suggests the possibility of a roof entirely made of grasses. (4) ....(INVESTIGATE) of the remains by scientists revealed that the building stood in 8,500 BC. It was (5) ....(ORIGIN) thought that people living in Britain at this time were nomadic with no fixed homes. But the (6) ...(DISCOVER) of the oldest known house provides clear (7) ...(EVIDENT) that some of these people built large permanent structures. Researchers of the site, however, are (8) ... (SURE) about how long the house will remain the 'oldest' in the UK, because new finds are being made all the time. knowledge, width, originally, investigation, nearby, unsure evidence, discovery,.

Answer questions 1-6 about the text. Bigfoot In the Himalayas there’s an old Sherpa saying that, “There is a Yeti in the back of everyone’s mind; only the blessed are not haunted by it.” Many cultures have legends about solitary man-beasts, and recorded sightings in North America and Asia date back to the early 1800s. Despite numerous sightings, photos and footprints of often questionable origins, there has never been conclusive proof that these creatures exist. No captive, no bones, no hair and no bones found — alive or dead. And this week, researchers at the University of Alberta are putting the legend to the last great mammal mystery that intrigued low men from England. The results are due soon in Nature. The hair was collected by residents in Tuva, Yakutia, who claim to have torn it from a massive footprint left behind by a 3-metrehuman-like creature which walked upright in remote plains. Wildlife geneticist Dave Calman expects that the hair will have come from a known mammal such as a bear or bison, but he says he is curious enough to test the theory. “If Bigfoot were a primate, then we would expect the samples to be close to, but humans or chimpanzees or gorillas. That would be kind of cool, wouldn’t it?” Regardless of his findings, the myth of Bigfoot does not need hard facts to persist. The creatures are real enough to those who say they have spotted them, but opinions in evidence are now divided. Some say it is a human-fashioned object, including various Native American beliefs, believe it to be a spirit being which appears in humans in times of crisis. Ralph Gary West, an Athapascan Indian from Alaska, has told reporters that Bigfoot-like spiritual appearances have troubled communities “right now in times with Mother Earth”, bringing a message that there is a need to change. Nor are such creatures confined to the vast, isolated lands of North America and Asia — in the UK, such legends date back centuries. Two years ago, investigators and the media descended on Bolam Lake, near Newcastle, following a spate of sightings of a tall, upright ape over the previous two months. In that area, a local wood, lakeside park, and farmland provide the isolated kind of Bolam. Richard Freeman, of the Centre for Fortean Zoology centre, says one of the creatures saw among the witnesses. “When they saw what was Bigfoot, or Sasquatch (as people call it out there), it was an enormous shadowy figure in the trees, more so a ghost than flesh-and-blood. It ran past and for hours afterwards, you’re not going to get a photo-like-go-seek creature — England doesn’t have the habitat to support it.” His theory is that sightings such as this — and Scotland’s Big Grey Man and Mothman and the Grey King in Wales — are of a paranormal being. “I blame that these are the ghosts of some creature which tried to evolve, but didn’t make it, more corpse than a man.” In his time as a professional monster hunter, Mr. Freeman has travelled the world gathering tales of weird and wonderful creatures — and in every culture, the same types crop up again and again. He calls it the “International monster myth”. This includes the giant ape-men of North America; reptile-like Bigfoot and Yeti; giant snakes of South America; the dragons of the Medieval Europe; little people, such as fairies and goblins; giant birds; and dog-like werewolves and demonic cats. “Creatures who combine human and animal features are those that live in the forests, which our ancestors would have had to deal with. Now forests are a final memory of these creatures.” Under certain conditions, the mind can easily see Bigfoot images of fear. Sceptics such as Benjamin Radford, of the Skeptical Inquirer magazine, also believe that such sightings are simply optical tricks caused by fear in a stressful, lonely area. He says, “When something unknown and we want to believe what often happens, we see what, not what actually is.” When he hears a Bigfoot believer’s story, he replies, “It’s just a story. It’s like a fish story: the longer it goes, the bigger it becomes.” “However, though there’s a Bigfoot in the area, it’s easy to make the leap between fantasy, I sense something, I don’t know what it is. They sense something and the Bigfoot is born.” As for the latest field, it cannot be known whether the hair is from a creature like (or unknown to) science. And until then, the truth simply lies in the eyes of the beholder.” 1. What is the best meaning of the word "questionable" in the first paragraph? 2. What would Dave Coltman find "cool"? 3. What is the meaning of the first sentence of the fourth paragraph, starting "Regardless of his findings..."? 4. Why does Richard Freeman say about the possibility of a UK-based Bigfoot? 5. What is Mr Freeman’s theory about why these creatures are seen around the world? 6. What does Benjamin Radford believe people do when they are frightened?. Doubtful, If Bigfoot was genetically close to humans, The Bigfoot legend persists despite a lack of real evidence, Bigfoot couldn’t survive hidden in the UK, Our brains are programmed to see such creatures, See things that are not there. If Bigfoot was genetically close to humans, Doubtful, The Bigfoot legend persists despite a lack of real evidence, Our brains are programmed to see such creatures, See things that are not there, Bigfoot couldn’t survive hidden in the UK. Bigfoot couldn’t survive hidden in the UK, Doubtful, The Bigfoot legend persists despite a lack of real evidence, Our brains are programmed to see such creatures, See things that are not there, Bigfoot couldn’t survive hidden in the UK.

For these questions, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap. Too many emails Some years ago, there were ....(PREDICT) that email would soon be replaced as the most common means of online communication by social ....(NETWORK) sites. Since then, however, the number of emails sent has increased ....(STEADY), to the point that the volume received on a daily basis has become ....(STRESS) for many people. For some users, the situation has become so ....(BEAR) that they regularly delete all the emails they receive without even bothering to read them, which is rather ...(RISK), to say the least. A less extreme measure is to install software that sorts incoming mail into different categories. By doing this, promotions from ...(COMMERCE) organisations, for instance, go into a separate folder from messages arriving from friends or employers, ....(ABLE) us to see which emails are more important than others. Not all of us, though, may be so keen to let software make such ...DECIDE) for us. decisions risky, networking, predictions, enabling, steadily, stressful, unbearable, commercial,.

A few sentences have been removed from the text below. For each question, choose the correct answer. There may be extra sentences which you do not need to use. Lifestyles I’ve done a lot of travelling in Europe and Asia throughout my adult life and it was whilst I was teaching in China that I became interested in acupuncture, from the proper people as to how acupuncture functioned, not only if they’d be able to prevent the onset of diseases. It was after returning home from China and witnessing how successful it had been that I then made the decision to become an acupuncturist myself. I was lucky to discover that the town where I lived had a famous and well-regarded college of traditional acupuncture. Alternative medicine is particularly important for me because I firmly believe that it works on the level of body, mind and spirit (1) Of course, the medicine is very powerful and can consequently have powerful side effects. Alternative medicine like acupuncture on the other hand is aimed at restoring the body as a whole. When a person’s chi, that’s something like their life which is putting them away levels out of balance. What alternative therapies try to do is help the body’s capacity path that always back into balance. The result is that many diseases present might naturally disappear at a certain volume when energies are balanced. The treatments consist largely of balancing the energy between the different meridians of a person’s body. These are twelve acupuncture channels along which energy travels in the human body. Treatment aims to free blocks of energy in these meridians which may be causing ill health and which may have been there for many years. It would be an odd state of affairs if a practising alternative therapist had not had treatment themselves and this is certainly not the case for myself. I've had a lot of acupuncture treatment and found it particularly useful. I have never suffered particularly from physical problems but treatment for my mental and spiritual wellbeing has been very successful. I’ve treated a wide range of people for various conditions, for example people suffering from stress and anxiety and helped them to cope with stressful situations in their lives. (2) F. These are twelve acupuncture channels along which energy travels in the human body There’s another woman who suffers from arthritis of the hip and at the moment I’m treating an old lady who has several health problems, one of them being Parkinson’s Disease. All these people have found that acupuncture has made them feel more balanced in themselves and they have certainly benefited from the treatment. To date I currently own the Leicestershire in Acupuncture. The course lasted three years and I had to go to the college about one weekend in three. There was a lot more to it than that though. I had a large amount of homework to do and practical work, which I did two or three evenings a week. This involved locating points on different people. As you can imagine, this isn’t straightforward as people are different sizes and have different shaped bodies. In the future I hope to set up an alternative health clinic which will involve myself as an acupuncturist but perhaps other people as well. I'd like to work with practitioners of homeopathy reflexology aromatherapy and perhaps counselling I’d like A. This is very different from Western medicine which is supposed to work solely on the body. F. These are twelve acupuncture channels along which energy travels in the human body. I’d like to work with practitioners of homeopathy, reflexology, aromatherapy and perhaps counselling. I’d like to set this up somewhere in a rural setting, where people could enjoy coming not only for the treatment but where they would be able to sit and enjoy the scenery, go for walks and basically feel free from the stresses of life. A. This is very different from Western medicine which is supposed to work solely on the body. F. These are twelve acupuncture channels along which energy travels in the human body. F. These are twelve acupuncture channels along which energy travels in the human body. A. This is very different from Western medicine which is supposed to work solely on the body.

18. For questions 1–8, read the text and decide which answer (A, B, C, or D) best fits each gap. The Role of Technology Technology has (0) transformed the way we live. Only twenty years ago, few people (1) ....smartphones, and now almost everyone carries one in their pocket. This has (2) ....to a society where people are constantly connected. There are clear benefits. For example, online platforms allow students to (3) ...knowledge, attend classes, and practise skills. Doctors can use special devices to (4) ...patients from a distance. However, not all consequences are positive. Experts (5) ...out that excessive screen time can harm concentration. Social media, in particular, (6) ....the risk of addiction and stress. In the end, it seems that the challenge for the future will be to (7) ...a balance between technological convenience and our need for genuine human (8) ..... find, share, monitor, point, owned, led, contact increases,.

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. Volunteering Abroad The idea of volunteering abroad has become increasingly popular in recent years. Many young people are eager to devote time to projects that help communities in need, while also giving them the chance to learn about different cultures. However, critics sometimes (1) say that not all volunteering schemes are truly beneficial. Some organisations charge high fees and (2) provide very little of the money to the communities they claim to support. Others may unintentionally (3) cause harm, for example by creating a dependency on foreign workers instead of helping local people develop their own skills. For this reason, experts suggest that volunteers should (4) keep great care in choosing where to go and what kind of project to join. A good programme will usually (5) select its volunteers carefully, making sure they are well-prepared before they arrive. The most successful projects are those that (6) combine local knowledge with the enthusiasm of outsiders. In these cases, volunteers can (7) gain valuable experience while genuinely helping others. Ultimately volunteering abroad can be a rewarding (8) experience —but only when done responsibly. For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. Volunteering Abroad The idea of volunteering abroad has become increasingly popular in recent years. Many young people are eager to devote time to projects that help communities in need, while also giving them the chance to learn about different cultures. However, critics sometimes (1) say that not all volunteering schemes are truly beneficial. Some organisations charge high fees and (2) provide very little of the money to the communities they claim to support. Others may unintentionally (3) cause harm, for example by creating a dependency on foreign workers instead of helping local people develop their own skills. For this reason, experts suggest that volunteers should (4) keep great care in choosing where to go and what kind of project to join. A good programme will usually (5) select its volunteers carefully, making sure they are well-prepared before they arrive. The most successful projects are those that (6) combine local knowledge with the enthusiasm of outsiders. In these cases, volunteers can (7) gain valuable experience while genuinely helping others. Ultimately volunteering abroad can be a rewarding (8) experience —but only when done responsibly. provide, experience keep, select, say, gain, combine, cause,.