Use of English - Open Cloze
C1
Cambridge English C1 Exam
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. Click the gaps to type your answer.
Metallica’s Enduring Appeal
Metallica is (0) ONE of the most influential heavy metal bands in modern music. Formed in Los Angeles in 1981, the group soon relocated to San Francisco, where the local scene helped shape its early sound. Their breakthrough came with albums that combined speed, precision and ambition, and they quickly became known (1) .......... pushing the boundaries of the genre. Over the decades, the band has changed line-ups, faced public controversy and experimented with different styles, yet it has remained remarkably consistent in (2) .......... ability to fill stadiums worldwide. Part of this success lies in the way Metallica balances technical musicianship with songs that are accessible (3) .......... losing intensity. Even listeners who are not devoted metal fans often recognise riffs from tracks that have become cultural reference points. In addition, Metallica has built a reputation for taking its live shows seriously: set lists vary, performances are tightly rehearsed, and the audience is treated (4) .......... an essential part of the event. The band has also been active outside music, supporting charities and encouraging young musicians, (5) .......... has helped broaden its public image. Whether you discovered them through early thrash classics or later mainstream hits, it is hard to deny (6) .......... their influence continues to be felt. Few bands manage to stay relevant for so long, and Metallica’s career is a clear example (7) .......... longevity depends on both reinvention and discipline. For many, their music remains a soundtrack (8) .......... different stages of life.
About Use of English Open Cloze — Cambridge English C1
In this Cambridge English C1 Use of English Open Cloze exercise you read a short text and think of the one word that best fits each of the 8 gaps.
Open Cloze tests grammar and common fixed expressions — articles, prepositions, pronouns, auxiliary verbs and linking words. Only one word goes in each gap, and it is usually a small grammatical word rather than vocabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gaps are in this C1 Open Cloze exercise?
There are 8 gaps, and you must write exactly one word in each.
What kind of words go in the gaps?
Usually grammatical words: prepositions, articles, pronouns, auxiliaries, relative pronouns and parts of fixed phrases.
What is the best strategy for Open Cloze?
Read the whole text first for meaning, then look closely at the words around each gap — the answer almost always depends on the immediate grammar.
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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
- Read the title and the whole text so that you understand what it is about.
- Read the whole sentence in which the gap occurs, to look for clues as to what kind of word you need.
- Check the words before and after each gap and look for grammatical collocations.
- Remember you must write only one word.
- You are never required to write a contraction. If you think the answer is a contraction, it must be wrong, so think again.
- Read the whole text through once you have completed it to make sure you have not missed any connectors, plurals or negatives.