CLOZE [15 MIN.]
Decide which of the choices given below would best complete the passage if inserted in the corresponding blanks. Mark the best choice for each blank on your answer sheet.
We all know that a magician does not really depend on “magic” to perform his tricks, 31 on his ability to act at great speed. 32 , this does not prevent us from enjoying watching a magician 33 rabbits from a hat. 34 the greatest magician of all time was Harry Houdini who died in 1926. Houdini mastered the art of 35 . He could free himself from the tightest knots or the most complicated locks in seconds. 36 no one really knows 37 he did this, there is no doubt 38 he had made a close study of every type of lock ever 39 . He liked to carry a small steel needle-like tool strapped to his leg and he used this in 40 of a key. Houdini once asked the Chicago police to lock him in prison. They 41 him in chains and locked him up, but he freed himself 42 an instant. The police 43 him of having used a tool and locked him up again. This time he wore no clothes and there were chains round his neck, waist, wrists, and legs; but he again escaped in a few minutes. Houdini had probably hidden his “needle” in a wax-like 44 and dropped it on the floor in the passage. 45 he went past, he stepped on it so that it stuck to the bottom of his foot. His most famous escape, however, was 46 astonishing. He was heavily chained 47 and enclosed in an empty wooden chest, the lid of 48 was nailed down. The 49 was dropped into the sea in New York harbor. In one minute Houdini had swum to the surface. When the chest was 50 , it was opened and the chains were found inside.
31.A. but B. then C. and D. however
32.A. Generally B. However C. Possibly D. Likewise
33.A. to produce B. who produces C. produce D. how to produce
34.A. Out of the question B. Though C. Probably D. Undoubted
35.A. escaping B. locking C. opening D. dropping
36.A. Surprisingly B. Obviously C. Perhaps D. Although
37.A. when B. where C. how D. what
38.A. if B. whether C. as to D. that
39.A. invented B. invent C. being invented D. inventing
40.A. use B. place C. view D. absence
41.A. involved B. closed C. connected D. bound
42.A. at B. by C. in D. for
43.A. rid B. charged C. accused D. deprived
44.A. candle B. mud C. something D. substance
45.A. As B. Usually C. Maybe D. Then
46.A. overall B. all but C. no longer D. altogether
47.A. up B. down C. around D. in
48.A. it B. which C. that D. him
49.A. chest B. body C. lid D. chain
50.A. brought up B. sunk C. broken apart D. snapped