Practice English Vocabulary C1 Exercises – Chance and nature

A. Complete using the correct form of the words in the box.

1   The woman claimed to be able to …………………… the future, but I knew she was only guessing.

2   In a moment of madness, I decided to …………………… everything on the turn of one card.

3   It seems that one of the genes has ……………………, causing the frog to be blue.

4   Following the investigation, the accident was …………………… to chance.

5   When the glass fell off the table on its own, it really …………………… me.

6   A casino’s profits might …………………… from month to month, but you can be sure they will always make money.

7   Police have yet to …………………… what caused the building to collapse.

8   The first I knew of the earthquake was when the furniture started to …………………… .

9   Is there a winning roulette system that can help you …………………… the right number?

10   As the river gets closer to the sea, it begins to …………………… across the flat lowlands.

B. Choose the correct answer.

1   What’s the ……………… number of accidents which happen in the home each year?

      A approximate B random

      C close                 D inexact

2   I always take my lucky ……………… with me into an exam.

      A sign                   B item

      C charm               D spell

3   Did you plan to meet up with Emma in London, or was it just a ………………?

      A freak                 B fate

      C coincidence    D luck

4   Johnnie broke the vase, but I’m sure it wasn’t ……………… .

      A purposeful      B instrumental

      C desirable         D deliberate

5   We can only ……………… as to the causes of the disaster.

      A think                 B speculate

      C consider           D ponder

6   The ……………… of one winning the lottery is hardly worth even considering.

      A hazard              B luck

      C fortune             D likelihood

7   I didn’t know my guess was going to be right – it was just ……………… .

      A pot luck           B odds

      C draw                 D gamble

8   Do you believe in that old ……………… about not walking under a ladder?

      A curse                B misfortune

      C uncertainty     D superstition

C. Complete using the correct form of the words in the boxes.

1   Have you ever done something completely …………………., like suddenly deciding to quit your job?

2   This government doesn’t seem to have a plan and is just reacting to events in a …………………. manner.

3   Having an accident in the first race was a real …………………. to Johnson’s ambitions of becoming world champion.

4   We should get there by midnight, as long as there are no …………………. along the way.

5   Nobody could have foreseen what would happen – it was just a …………………. accident.

6   The politician’s …………………. comments to the press started a national scandal.

7   It seems to me that you can prove just about anything with …………………. .

8   The …………………. are 7-1 against Argentina getting to the final of the competition.

9   Seven people have got ill on the voyage so far; I think the cruise is …………………. .

10   Aren’t …………………. people just looking for a way to control things that are really out of their control?

11   Andy’s been lucky enough to be …………………. to the Sydney office and he’s leaving next week.

12   Wilson …………………. his defeat to bad luck.

13   Apparently, the car was hit by a …………………. bullet during the riot.

14   Just think of a …………………. number and then write it on here.

15   It looks like the fire was …………………. by a discarded cigarette.

16   We may never know what …………………. that fateful night.

D. If the word or phrase in bold is correct, put a tick. If it is incorrect, replace it with a word or phrase in bold from another sentence.

1   The earthquake was a real resource and destroyed most of the buildings in the city. ……………….

2   They are going to harvest the local people because the volcano might erupt. ……………….

3   We need to find alternatives to catastrophe before we destroy our planet. ……………….

4   There’s so much fossil fuels in England during the summer. ……………….

5   The panda is threatened by the destruction of its greenery. ……………….

6   They were planning to evacuate the grapes the next day and nobody could have predicted the storm. ……………….

7   Some animals seem to know by species when bad weather is on the way. ……………….

8   The oil fields are a vast natural habitat that belongs to all the people, not just a few businessmen. ……………….

9   The sparrow is becoming increasingly scarce in this area. ……………….

10   Scientists claim to have identified a new instinct of monkey. ……………….

E. Circle the correct word or phrase.

1   It seems that agriculture / crop first developed in the Middle East.

2   Coffee is a very important agriculture / crop in Brazil.

3   The drought / famine was caused by war in the region.

4   If the drought / famine continues, the government is planning to introduce a ban on washing cars.

5   You have to stop and get out of your car to really appreciate / exploit the natural beauty of the area.

6   Why do you think that we don’t have the right to appreciate / exploit nature to make money?

7   Some scientists still dispute that global warming / natural disaster is caused by human activity.

8   Over half a million people were forced to leave their homes as a result of the recent global warming / natural disaster.

9   It’s been raining for days and there’s a real danger of floods / hurricanes if it doesn’t stop soon.

10   This area is frequently hit by floods / hurricanes that start at sea and then move inland.

F. Write one word in each gap.

Global warming

There has been a steady rise in the average temperature around the planet over the last hundred years or so, and the majority of scientists put it (1) ………………. to human activity. The solution, they claim, is to cut back (2) ………………. our consumption of fossil fuels, which produce the carbon dioxide that drives global warming. However, some scientists argue that the historical evidence shows that over time the Earth heats (3) ………………. and cools (4) ………………. naturally. According to them, we should just continue to get (5) ………………. the fossil fuels that are available and find alternatives when they run out.

Whatever the cause of global warming, the increase in temperature is undeniable. It is predicted that over the next few decades many species will die (6) ………………. as once fertile areas turn to desert. Seas will rise in some areas and rivers will dry (7) ………………. in other areas, killing (8) ………………. animal and plant life that rely on them. It looks like this debate will only get more intense.

G. Complete using the correct form of the phrasal verbs in the box.

1   We were walking through the woods when we …………………. a trap set by hunters.

2   It’s a huge risk, and we can’t afford to …………………. or everything will go wrong.

3   Don’t just …………………. those plastic bottles – we can recycle them.

4   Isn’t it amazing how squirrels …………………. nuts to make sure they have enough to eat in the winter?

5   The new law has …………………. a number of problems for farmers that weren’t expected.

6   As I was flicking through the magazine, I …………………. an article about the local nature reserve.

7   According to the evidence that has been …………………., people have been farming this area for over a 1,000 years.

8   Organisations concerned about the environment seem to have …………………. everywhere these days.

H. The phrasal verb kill off means something like ‘remove’. Put the following phrasal verbs into the sentences in the correct form and tick the sentences where the phrasal verb means something like ‘remove’.

1   After what Maria said, I think we should ……………… her ……………… the guest list. ………………

2   Calvin ……………… the chocolate ……………… his mouth with the back of his hand. ………………

3   Do you think Dad will ever ……………… his beard ………………? ………………

4   There’s a funny smell, like something’s ……………… in the fridge. ……………….

5   Aren’t you going to ……………… the head ……………… the fish before you serve it? ………………

6   I’m so tired after work that I often just ……………… in front of the TV. ………………

7   We’re going to ……………………. early in the morning, so try to get some sleep. ………………

8   You need to ……………… the paper ……………… the top of the ice cream before you eat it. ………………

I. Write one preposition in each gap.

1   It’s a million to one against you being struck ……………… lightning.

2   We got caught ……………… the rain so we were completely soaked when we got home.

3   Many people only manage to give up gambling ……………… dint of a lot of hard work.

4   A sudden gust ……………… wind blew the letter out of my hand.

5   I can’t believe you bet your car ……………… the toss of a coin!

6   I’d love to be a cat and spend all day lying ……………… the sun.

7   I believe we’re ……………… luck this time and we won’t have lost our money.

8   You’re either lucky ……………… nature or you have to work hard all your life.

J. Write one word in each gap.

Earthquake prediction

If you were to hazard a (1) ……………… at when and where the next major earthquake will strike, there’s (2) ……………… chance that you’d be almost as accurate as the experts. The science of earthquake prediction is still in its infancy, which is uncomfortable, considering the threat posed (3) ……………… human civilisation. Even with vast resources at (4) ……………… disposal, often the best that scientists can do is say that (5) ……………… odds are that an earthquake will strike where one occurred before. One reason the chances (6) ……………… making an accurate prediction are so low is the nature (7) ……………… the forces involved. It seems to be impossible to tell the difference between a small earthquake and a warning tremor. Scientists need to decide whether to put lives at (8) ……………… by not issuing a warning, or constantly issue warnings about the threat (9) ……………… an earthquake that may be ignored. In the end, the odds seem to be (10) ……………… us solving this difficult problem any time soon.

K. Write one word in each gap.

1   I think Jay plays poker, but I couldn’t ……………… for certain.

2   If one species survives at the expense of another, then I think that’s just ……………… selection.

3   I’ll just call Jimmy to ……………… certain he can look after the dogs.

4   The Minister gave the ……………… light for the bypass to go ahead.

5   You were a bit hard on him for crashing your car – give him a ……………… chance!

6   People are ……………… their luck a bit too far when they live on the slopes of a volcano.

7   Global warming will ……………… a great threat to mankind in years to come.

8   Just at the moment we had to go out, it started to ……………… with rain.

L. For each question, write one word which can be used in all three sentences.

1   Have you ever …………………….. yourself wondering what it would be like to be someone else?

      I’m surprised you …………………….. the test so difficult after all that revision.

      After wandering in the forest for an hour, Gale finally …………………….. her way out.

2   The problem of conservation is essentially economic in …………………….. .

      It’s only human …………………….. to want to acquire more wealth.

      I’m quite a calm person by …………………….., but things like this make me really angry.

3   Let’s go through things again; I don’t want to leave anything to … ………………………….. .

      Excuse me, but are you Mr Whitehouse, by any ……………………..?

      I mean it – this is your last …………………….. and next time you make a mistake, you’re out.

4   I haven’t been at work all week because I’ve been a bit under the …………………….. .

      According to the …………………….. forecast, we’re in for thunderstorms.

      We’ve had some really awful …………………….. lately, haven’t we?

5   I was wondering how to get home when, as …………………….. would have it, Ben drove past in his car.

      The assistant said that I was in …………………….. and that they only had one pair left but they were my size.

      You’ve won by betting on red the last three times, but don’t push your ……………………..!

6   It so …………………….. that I’ve already decided to do that, anyway.

      As it …………………….., we can cancel the demonstration because the council have changed their mind.

      When a freak storm …………………….., we are not always given any warning of it.

7   I have to admit to feeling a …………………….. amount of fear as I stepped into the lions’ cage.

      The press are …………………….. to find out about this, and then it’ll be all over the papers.

      A …………………….. Mr Pratt rang this afternoon about your donation to the WWF.

8   I …………………….. you must be right about the weather – it feels hot!

      Don’t ask me to …………………….. at her age as I’d be miles out.

      You’d never …………………….. they were married from the way they act in public, would you?

M. Complete each dialogue using the appropriate form of an idiom in the box.

1   ‘I feel sorry for Mrs Shepherd.’

      ‘Yes, she does seem to have been rather ………………………….. lately, doesn’t she?’

2   ‘I’m sure Carol will get over the divorce eventually.’

      ‘Yes, I think we should just ………………………….. and see what happens.’

3   ‘I couldn’t believe it when I saw him.’

      ‘It must have been a real shock when he turned up ………………………….. after all these years.’

4   ‘Does Dave still go to the football every week?’

      ‘Oh, yes. You know him. He’s there ………………………….. .’

5   ‘How come the company chose you to go to New York?’

      ‘I don’t know. It was just ………………………….., I guess.’

6   ‘Why wasn’t there any warning before the floods?’

      ‘Well, it’s not easy to predict that kind of ………………………….., is it?’

7   ‘I don’t understand Harry’s decision.’

      ‘Me neither. There seems to be ………………………….. to it.’

8   ‘Who’s babysitting tomorrow night?’

      ‘Well, I ………………………….., so I’m staying in while the others go out.’

9   ‘I’m so looking forward to the wedding this weekend.’

      ‘ The weather should be good, ………………………….. .’

10   ‘I love your garden!’

        ‘Thanks. Yes, I suppose I’ve always ………………………….. .’

N. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the space.

WWF

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has been involved in (1) ……………….. (CONSERVE) since its

foundation in 1961. Its (2) ……………….. (INTEND) has always been to protect (3) ……………….. (WILD) against the effects of human activity. Working very closely with both expert (4) ……………….. (ECOLOGY) and ordinary local people, the organisation aims to help those animals (5) ……………….. (THREAT) by the destruction of habitats. Economic growth and tourism force some species to the brink of (6) ……………….. (EXTINCT). (7) ……………….. (FORTUNE), the WWF work hard to ensure that animals such as the giant panda will (8) ……………….. (PROBABLE) survive for a few more years yet. Refusing to accept that the problems are (9) ……………….. (MOUNT), the WWF works tirelessly on a (10) ……………….. (SEEM) never-ending list of projects, all of which help to protect the diversity of life on Earth.

O. Complete the sentences by changing the form of the word in capitals.

1   The chances against this kind of unusual ……………….. are very high. OCCUR

2   I’m not convinced that there’s a ……………….. link between pollution and global warming. CAUSE

3   The ……………….. of the cliffs by the sea has completely changed the landscape. ERODE

4   Female animals have an ……………….. need to protect their young. INSTINCT

5   The police are investigating the ……………….. disappearance from the zoo of a number of animals. MYSTERY

6   We knew that getting between the whale and the ship was ……………….., but it was the only way to stop them hunting. RISK

7   What’s your ……………….. of the situation? ASSESS

8   We have to wait for ……………….. conditions to launch the boat. FAVOUR

9   The expedition travelled miles in search of the ……………….. mountain gorilla. ELUDE

10   Following the ……………….. of the volcano, hundreds of villages were destroyed. ERUPT