I. Choose the words that best complete the sentences in the text.

The money that some professional sportsmen earn shouldn't impress anyone when
you take into _______________ (1) the fact that only a few of them manage to
_____________ (2) immortality and everlasting fame. And once they reach their
__________________ (3) and display their talent at their best, they are fully conscious that
their brilliant careers won't last for ever. They live under a constant pressure of being
______________ (4) and subsequently replaced by someone who is younger, faster and
more _____________ (5). For that reason, objectives like retirement benefits and pensions
are (6) great concern to all professional athletes.
Some of the retired competitors go as far as to organize strikes and rallies to
__________ (7) their protest against any policy unresponsive to their demands (8) the
younger professionals seek more upgrading solutions to the problem as more and more of
them attach a proper significance to __________ (9) a solid education, even at university
level. Such an approach should help them find interesting and well-paid jobs
_____________ (10) their sports career is over.
A completely new strategy has been _____________ (11) by the schools priding
themselves _____________ (12) supporting their own teams. Their authorities insist that
the sports clubs members achieve high academic standards or else they are debarred from
partaking in certain sports events, which may lead to further _____________ (13) in their
professional careers. By these practical and most effective _____________ (14), combining
education with sports activity, the___________ (15) of the professional athlete as being
brainless and unintelligent may eventually be changing to the sportsmen's benefit.

1. a) reflection b) attention c) examination d) consideration

2. a) obtain b) fulfil c) attain d)succeed
3. a) prime b) shape c) best d) capacity
4. a) outcast b) outshone c) outstayed d) outgrown
5. a) achieved b) attributed c) accomplished d) accredited
6. a) with b) in c) at d) of
7. a) voice b) claim c) insist d) speak
8. a) whereby b) whereas c) whereupon d) where in
9. a) mastering b) learning c) receiving d) attending
10. a) right away b) promptly c) barely d) once
11. a) assembled b) installed c) devised d) emerged
12. a) with b) on c) for d) in
13. a) disruption b) hitch c) detachment d) wreckage
14. a) grounds b) results c) factors d) means
15. a) vision b) outlook c) image d) judgement
II. Replace the italicized verb or phrase with the synonymous phrasal verb in the correct
form.

bring about care about do up get over give away hand in

hold on make out put in for run into set off

stand out take over turn down wrap up

1. Stop telling me about this tournament. I'm not interested in it.

____________________________________________________________
2. We have decided to redecorate our sitting room in August.
____________________________________________________________
3. Martin's condition was rather bad, but after a series of antibiotic injections he
recovered from his illness.
____________________________________________________________
4. Unfortunately, our secret plans had been revealed by someone before we
managed to put them into practice.
____________________________________________________________
5. The switchboard operator told me to wait on the phone before she made the
connection.
____________________________________________________________
6. The inscription on the label was written in such a small print that I could hardly
understand its meaning.
____________________________________________________________
7. I'm very sorry to say that I'm leaving your class for some time. Mr Blackley will
take my place.
____________________________________________________________
8. At first, they seemed to be amazed at Peter's offer of two thousand pounds, but in
the end they rejected it.
____________________________________________________________
9. It's essential that you deliver the documents in person by Thursday.
____________________________________________________________
10. Alice is going to apply for the job of a sales assistant in Newcastle.
____________________________________________________________
11. The only accident that happened last night was in Gloucester. A lorry collided
with a tractor and the both drivers were slightly wounded.
____________________________________________________________
12. The guide advised us to put on some warm clothes as cold weather was
forecast.
____________________________________________________________
13. Around midday, it started to rain heavily and the hikers had to wait for about half
an hour before starting their trip.
____________________________________________________________
14. You won't have any problems with recognizing him. He is easily seen even in a
large crowd because of his great height.
____________________________________________________________
15. Making any unauthorized alterations may result in a failure of the machine.
 ____________________________________________________________

Replace each italicized adjective with a synonymous one.

absorbing desperate fatal genuine graceful horrible

idle innocent judicious mean ordinary painful

praiseworthy precise puzzled

1. This is not a very wise decision. Just think of all the consequences such an action
might lead to _______________.
2. Mark was charmed by the girl's elegant movements and her good manners.
_______________
3. This is nothing new. It's just a usual transistor radio. _______________
4. Our academy admits only people with a real interest in art. _______________
5. The bitter feeling of having beep deserted by his closest friends made Stanley leave
the city for ever. _______________
6. If you need some more specific information, turn to Mr Smith, who is in direct control
of our department. _______________
7. The terrible discovery of a skeleton in Mrs Preston's garden has provoked endless
speculations about a murderer hiding somewhere in the neighbourhood.
_______________
8. The local newspapers write about the boy's admirable courage. After all, he was the
only one who hurried to the rescue. _______________
9. The suspect claimed he was not guilty and that the robbery was committed by
someone else. _______________
10. was so confused by the chairman's reply that I didn't know whether I was allowed to
cast the vote or not . _______________
11. Since Mrs Johnson's unexpected resignation, we have been in an urgent need of a
new secretary. _______________
12. Mike's comment on the political crisis in our country provoked a fascinating
discussion which kept us awake during the whole night. _______________
13. He is usually very lazy, so we have a hard time of making him do his lessons
properly
14. The poor mother went mad after she had learnt about her son’s deadly accident.
_______________
15. Don't bother to ask him a favour. He is too selfish to help other people.
_______________
 absorbing desperate fatal genuine graceful horrible

idle innocent judicious mean ordinary painful

praiseworthy precise puzzled

IV. Rewrite the sentences using the given forms so that they retain their original meaning.

1. I don't usually sleep after work, (in the habit)

____________________________________________________________

2. Little Tommy was expecting Christmas with real delight, (forward to)
____________________________________________________________

3. The young clerk didn't know how to deal with this complicated matter, (capable)
____________________________________________________________
4. Alan is both a good sprinter and a skilled jumper.

Besides ____________________________________________________________
5. Several workers refused to join the strike, (opposed)
____________________________________________________________
6. haven't lent my new lawnmower to anybody.
Nobody ____________________________________________________________
7. Peter's hair really ought to be cut. (needs)
____________________________________________________________
8. The attacker made me open the safe.
I was ____________________________________________________________
9. in spite of countless obstacles, Jim succeeded in building his own house,
(succesful)
____________________________________________________________

10. I'll go upstairs to find out if they have already vacated the rooms, (sure that)

V. Choose the correct answer.

1. Mrs Hurston was in deep _______________ after her husband’s unexpected death.
a)regret b) grief c) lament d) disturbance
2. The Martins have confirmed their strong _______________ to charity actions by
donating a lump sum of money again.
a)compliance b) reliance c) assignment d) commitment
3. The other party has raised a number of ____________ to the reforms in the tax
system.
a)problems b) objections c) difficulties d) complaints
4. My older brother is extremely fond of astronomy, he seems to _______________ a
lot of pleasure from observing the stars.
a)derive b) possess c) seize d) reach

20
5. can accept criticism in general, but George really _______________ it too far, so I had
no other option but to show my disapproval.
a)carried b) pushed c) put d) made
6. When old Mr Barnaby died, several people ______________ their claim to the
substantial legacy that he left.
a)placed b) drew c) assumed d) laid
7. The relations between these two countries have become very _______________
after the unpleasant incident at the border.
a)reckless b) excitable c) feverish d) tense
8. The press puts _______________ on the police forces who were unable to cope with
the crowd of savage hooligans.
a)fault b) charge c) blame d) guilt
9. On entering the nursery I stumbled on the wooden blocks _________ all over the
carpet.
a)plunged b) scattered c) settled d) tossed
10. No matter how loudly you shout to him he won't hear you. He is as deaf as a
_________.
a)bat b) stump c) tomb d) post
11. The jury _______________ her compliments on her excellent knowledge of the
subject.
a)paid b) gave c) made d) said
12. We couldn't stay long, so we only wished Mark many happy of _______________ his
birthday and hurried to the airport.
a)days b) returns c) moments d) regards
13. Ever since we quarrelled in the office, Janice and I have been ____________
enemies.
a)assured b) confirmed c) defined d) guaranteed
14. If I had known that she had fallen so seriously _______________, I'd certainly have
visited her in hospital.
a)ill b) unhealthy c) invalid d) unwell
15. A young tourist has been declared _______________ after he got lost in the mountains
last Monday.
a)absent b) deserter c) missing d) vanished
16. You needn't hurry. You may take your _______________ before you give me the
definite answer.
a)while b) minute c) time d) thinking
17. Michael was _____________with anger when he saw his car had been scratched.
a)stored b) fixed c) loaded d) filled
18. The schoolboy's excuse wasn't _______________ at all. Nobody in the classroom
believed in the far-fetched story he told.
a)credential b) credible c) creditable d) credulous
19. The professor wasn't _______________ with the current political affairs in his country
after his long stay abroad.
a)familiar b) present c) knowledgeable d) actual
20. It's not easy to make Stanley furious, the boy is very gentle by _______________
a)himself b) personality c) reaction d) nature