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Metallica: From Garage to Global

Metallica are one of the best-known heavy metal bands in the world, but their story begins in a much smaller setting: early 1980s Los Angeles, where countless young musicians were trying to sound louder, faster and more original than everyone else. (1) .......... The two quickly discovered they shared a passion for the same bands, especially the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. They also shared a clear ambition: they wanted a group that took the intensity of punk and combined it with the skill of classic metal. The early line-up changed several times, which is normal for bands at the beginning. (2) .......... With this line-up, Metallica recorded their first album, *Kill ’Em All* (1983). The record was not a mainstream hit at the time, but it strongly influenced the growing thrash metal scene. Their next album, *Ride the Lightning* (1984), showed a noticeable change. (3) .......... Then in 1986, the band released *Master of Puppets*, which many fans still describe as their greatest work. The album brought them wider attention, and they started playing bigger venues. Sadly, that same year the band faced tragedy. (4) .......... Despite the shock, the remaining members decided to continue. They recruited Jason Newsted and recorded *...And Justice for All* (1988), an album known for its long songs and complex structures. In 1991, Metallica released their self-titled album, often called *The Black Album*. (5) .......... As the 1990s continued, the band experimented with different sounds on *Load* and *Reload*, and their image changed too. Not everyone liked these decisions, and criticism became part of the conversation around the band. (6) .......... Today, Metallica’s history is often described as a balance between staying true to their roots and taking risks. Whether listeners prefer the early thrash albums or later global hits, the band’s impact on modern rock and metal is difficult to deny.

About Reading Missing Paragraphs — Cambridge English B2

This Cambridge English B2 Reading Missing Paragraphs exercise removes several paragraphs from a text. For each gap, choose the paragraph that best fits; there may be extra paragraphs you do not need.

It tests your understanding of text structure and how larger sections of a text connect in terms of topic, reference and logical progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Reading Missing Paragraphs?

Paragraphs are removed from a text and you must place the correct paragraph in each gap, with some extra paragraphs left over.

What does it test?

How well you follow the structure and argument of a longer text and recognise links between paragraphs.

Any tips for Missing Paragraphs?

Track the topic and any references at the end of one paragraph and the start of the next — the right paragraph continues the idea smoothly.

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What to do

In this part, you have to choose the correct paragraph to fill each gap from a list. There is one extra paragraph you do not need.

This part of the exam tests your understanding of how a text is organised and, in particular, how paragraphs relate to each other.

Underline the names of people, organisations or places. Also, underline reference words such as ‘this’, ‘it’, ‘there’, etc. They will help you see connections between sentences and paragraphs.

Sometimes there won’t be a clue in the sentence immediately before or after the gap.

You really do need to read the whole text to get its meaning – sometimes the ‘clue’ is the entire paragraph.

Strategy

  1. Read the main text through first to get an idea of what it is about and how the writer develops his or her subject matter.
  2. Use clues in the paragraphs before and after the gaps to help you choose the ones that fit.
  3. Clues may lie in the grammar, punctuation and/or vocabulary.
  4. Try to guess the sort of information that might be missing.
  5. Check any phrases/short sentences which you have not used to see if they could fit in the gap.
  6. When you have finished the task, read through the completed text to make sure it makes sense.