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Use of English

Level C1

Part 2 - Open Cloze

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1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap.

Progressive Soundscapes

For many listeners, discovering the band Periphery is (0) LIKE stepping into a version of modern metal that refuses to stay predictable. Although the group is often associated (1) .......... progressive metal, its music also draws inspiration from electronic textures, pop structure and ambient sound design. This helps explain why the band appeals not only to long-time metal fans but (2) .......... to people who would not normally explore such a heavy genre. Part of Periphery’s reputation rests (3) .......... the technical skill of its members. Complex rhythms, abrupt changes in tempo and densely layered guitar parts might seem overwhelming at first; however, repeated listening reveals how carefully each section relates (4) .......... the next. The result is music that sounds chaotic on the surface while remaining highly controlled underneath. The lyrics, too, contribute to the band’s identity. Rather (5) .......... relying solely on familiar themes of anger or rebellion, many songs explore anxiety, isolation and self-doubt. Because of this, listeners often feel that the music speaks directly (6) .......... their own experience. Even those who are not keen on extreme vocals may find themselves drawn in, provided they give the songs enough time to unfold. In the end, appreciation of Periphery depends less on instant accessibility and more (7) .......... a willingness to engage closely. Once that happens, what first seemed difficult can turn (8) .......... to be unexpectedly rewarding.

What to do

This part consists of a short text with a series of gaps. There are no words from which to choose the answers, candidates have to think of a word which fits the gap correctly.

Errors in punctuation are ignored, although spelling must be correct.

Contractions (e.g. don’t, we’ve, won’t) count as two words. However, can’t is a contraction of cannot, which is one word.

Sometimes, there is more than one correct answer. Cambridge will always account for this and all options will be accepted. However, you should not write more than one answer.

Don't spend time in a word you don't know. Wasting time on this activity might cost you points later in the exam because you won’t have enough time to do other tasks well.

Strategy

  1. Read the title and the whole text so that you understand what it is about.
  2. Read the whole sentence in which the gap occurs, to look for clues as to what kind of word you need.
  3. Check the words before and after each gap and look for grammatical collocations.
  4. Remember you must write only one word.
  5. You are never required to write a contraction. If you think the answer is a contraction, it must be wrong, so think again.
  6. Read the whole text through once you have completed it to make sure you have not missed any connectors, plurals or negatives.

Instructions

For questions 1-8, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap.

Exercise Details

Author

Bejenaru Alexandru

@bejenaru-alexandru

User Prompt

"Make it about music and Periphery"

Tone: Standard
Level: C1

Created on:

Apr 17, 2026

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