English advanced vocabulary and structure practice - Free Printable

Let's solve this cloze test step by step, choosing the best word for each blank and explaining why.

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Text:

> Public opinion polls show that crime is __________ (1) as one of the most serious problems of many societies. Yet, __________ (2) studies have revealed that the __________ (3) of violent crime is __________ (4). Our peculiar awareness and fear is largely brought about by the great attention it is __________ (5) in the mass media and also because of violent crime being a popular theme for television series and films.
>
> Among all crimes, murder makes the __________ (6) and there is little doubt that homicides still continue to be a __________ (7) question in a number of countries. The various causes of severe crime are being constantly __________ (8) and innumerable reasons for it are being pointed out. Among these are unemployment, drug __________ (9), inadequate police enforcement, ineffective courts, racial discrimination, television, and the general __________ (10) in social values.
>
> An acknowledged fact is that it is mainly poverty that __________ (11) crime. Individuals incapable of __________ (12) for themselves and their families the rudimentary means of living unavoidably take __________ (13) stealing, burgling or __________ (14) other offences. We may try to explain crime on different __________ (15) – cultural, economic, psychological or political, but criminologists are still far from detecting the exact source of violent offences as the direct link between these particular factors isn't possible to specify.

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1. (1) crime is __________ as one of the most serious problems...

- Options:
a) viewed
b) believed
c) alleged
d) thought

✔ Correct answer: a) viewed
Explanation: "Viewed" fits naturally with "crime is viewed as..." — it’s a common collocation. "Believed" and "thought" are possible, but "viewed" is more formal and precise in academic tone. "Alleged" implies something claimed without proof, which doesn’t fit here.

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2. (2) Yet, __________ studies have revealed...

- Options:
a) pervading
b) infiltrating
c) examining
d) penetrating

✔ Correct answer: d) penetrating
Explanation: "Penetrating studies" means deep, thorough investigations. "Pervading" (spreading widely) and "infiltrating" (entering secretly) don’t make sense. "Examining" is too vague. "Penetrating" suggests insightful analysis, which matches “revealed.”

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3. (3) the __________ of violent crime is...

- Options:
a) quantity
b) deal
c) amount
d) figure

✔ Correct answer: d) figure
Explanation: We're talking about the *level* or *rate* of violent crime. "Figure" is used in context like "the figure of crime," meaning statistical data. "Quantity" and "amount" are less precise in this context. "Deal" is informal and incorrect.

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4. (4) ...is __________ (4)

- Options:
a) outspoken
b) overestimated
c) presupposed
d) upgraded

✔ Correct answer: b) overestimated
Explanation: The sentence contrasts public perception ("serious problem") with actual findings: the *level* of violent crime is actually overestimated. This is a key point in the text — people fear crime more than it actually occurs. "Overestimated" perfectly captures this idea.

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5. (5) ...attention it is __________ in the mass media...

- Options:
a) granted
b) awarded
c) devoted
d) entrusted

✔ Correct answer: a) granted
Explanation: "Granted attention" is correct — media grants attention to crime. "Awarded" is usually for prizes; "devoted" would require "devoted to"; "entrusted" means given responsibility, which doesn’t fit.

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6. (6) murder makes the __________

- Options:
a) headlines
b) titles
c) captions
d) broadcast

✔ Correct answer: a) headlines
Explanation: "Makes the headlines" is a common idiom meaning it gets widespread media coverage. Murder is often sensational news. Other options don’t fit: "titles" and "captions" are too narrow; "broadcast" is not idiomatic here.

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7. (7) ...a __________ question in a number of countries.

- Options:
a) burdening
b) obstructing
c) nagging
d) contending

✔ Correct answer: c) nagging
Explanation: "Nagging question" is a fixed expression meaning a persistent, unresolved issue. "Burdening" and "obstructing" aren't used this way. "Contending" means arguing, which doesn't fit.

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8. (8) ...are being constantly __________

- Options:
a) debated
b) conversed
c) uttered
d) articulated

✔ Correct answer: a) debated
Explanation: Causes of crime are "debated" — discussed extensively. "Conversed" is incorrect grammar (we say "have conversations"); "uttered" means spoken, but not suitable here; "articulated" is possible but less common than "debated."

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9. (9) drug __________

- Options:
a) escalation
b) abuse
c) maltreatment
d) disuse

✔ Correct answer: b) abuse
Explanation: "Drug abuse" is a standard term. "Escalation" refers to increase, not the behavior itself. "Maltreatment" is for people, not drugs. "Disuse" means not using, which contradicts the context.

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10. (10) ...the general __________ in social values.

- Options:
a) flop
b) impediment
c) shortfall
d) decline

✔ Correct answer: d) decline
Explanation: "Decline in social values" is a common phrase meaning moral deterioration. "Flop" means failure; "impediment" is an obstacle; "shortfall" is lack of something needed — none fit well. "Decline" is perfect.

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11. (11) ...that __________ crime.

- Options:
a) rears
b) nurtures
c) breeds
d) urges

✔ Correct answer: c) breeds
Explanation: "Breeds crime" is a common idiom meaning creates or causes it. "Nurtures" is close, but "breeds" is stronger and more commonly used. "Rears" is for raising children; "urges" is too weak.

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12. (12) incapable of __________ for themselves...

- Options:
a) rears
b) nurtures
c) breeds
d) urges

Wait — this seems to be a typo in the options. Let's check:

The sentence is:
> Individuals incapable of __________ (12) for themselves and their families...

But the options listed are:
11. a) rears
b) nurtures
c) breeds
d) urges

So likely, the options for (12) are missing — but based on the sentence, we need a verb meaning "to provide" or "support."

Looking at the sentence:
> "...incapable of __________ for themselves and their families the rudimentary means of living..."

We need a verb like providing, earning, or securing.

But the options are:
a) rears
b) nurtures
c) breeds
d) urges

None of these fit directly.

Wait — perhaps there's a mistake in the image. But let's look again.

Actually, the options are listed under (11), but the blank is (12). That might be a formatting error.

But looking closely:
The numbered list starts at (1), then jumps to (11) at the bottom.

So likely, the options for (12) are missing — but since the same options are repeated, perhaps they’re meant for (12).

But none of those words work for (12):

- "rears" = raises children → doesn’t fit
- "nurtures" = cares for → not right
- "breeds" = produces offspring → no
- "urges" = encourages → doesn’t fit

So maybe there's a typo.

But let's assume the intended word is "providing", but it's not listed.

Alternatively, perhaps the blank is for a verb like "earning", but again, not in options.

Wait — could it be that the options are mislabeled?

Looking back:
The last line says:
> 11. a) rears
> b) nurtures
> c) breeds
> d) urges

But blank (12) is before (13). So probably, the options for (12) are missing.

But perhaps we can infer from context.

Sentence:
> Individuals incapable of __________ (12) for themselves and their families the rudimentary means of living...

This is awkward. It should be:
"...incapable of providing for themselves..."

But if we must choose from the given options, none fit.

Unless — wait! Maybe the blank is (11), not (12)? Let’s recheck.

No — (11) is "mainly poverty that __________ crime" → so "breeds" is correct.

Then (12): "incapable of __________ for themselves..." — this needs a verb like providing or earning.

But the only plausible option is "nurtures"? No — doesn’t fit.

Wait — perhaps the word is "earn" or "secure", but not listed.

Alternatively, maybe the original text had a different structure.

But looking at the full sentence:

> Individuals incapable of __________ (12) for themselves and their families the rudimentary means of living unavoidably take __________ (13) stealing...

Ah! Possibly:
"...incapable of providing for themselves..." — but not in options.

But the options are only for (11), so likely a formatting error.

Wait — perhaps (12) is supposed to be filled with a verb like "earning", but it's not listed.

Alternatively, maybe the blank (12) is meant to be filled with a noun? No — "incapable of [verb]".

Given the confusion, let's assume the options for (12) are missing.

But perhaps the intended answer is "providing", which isn't among the choices.

Alternatively, maybe the blank is "earning", but again, not listed.

Wait — could it be "rearing"? As in "rearing a family"? But "rearing" is for raising children, not providing means of living.

No.

Perhaps the correct word is "securing", but not available.

Alternatively, maybe the sentence is:

> incapable of supporting themselves...

But again, not in options.

So unless there's a typo in the options, we have a problem.

But let's look at the next blank.

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13. (13) take __________ stealing...

- Options:
a) rears
b) nurtures
c) breeds
d) urges

Again, same options — clearly wrong.

Wait — this suggests that the options listed under (11) are meant for (12) and (13), but they don’t fit.

Alternatively, maybe the options are misplaced.

Let’s go back.

Actually, the list says:

> 11. a) rears
> b) nurtures
> c) breeds
> d) urges

But blanks (12) and (13) follow.

So likely, the options for (12) and (13) are missing.

But perhaps the intended word for (12) is "providing", and for (13) is "to" — as in "take to stealing".

Yes! That makes sense.

So:

> individuals incapable of providing for themselves... take to stealing...

"Take to" is a phrasal verb meaning start doing something regularly, often negatively.

So (13) should be "to" — but it's not in the options.

But the options are only for (11).

This suggests the options list is incomplete or misaligned.

But let's assume the options for (12) and (13) are missing.

But wait — perhaps the word for (12) is "earning", and for (13) is "to".

But since neither is in the options, and the options listed are for (11), we must conclude:

There is a formatting error in the test.

However, based on standard English usage, the most logical completions are:

- (12): providing (not listed)
- (13): to (not listed)

But since we must choose from the given options, and they don’t fit, perhaps the intended answer for (12) is "nurtures" — but that doesn’t work.

Alternatively, maybe the blank is "rearing", but again, not appropriate.

Wait — perhaps the sentence is:

> incapable of supporting themselves...

But again, not in options.

So I suspect the options for (12) and (13) are missing.

But let's move to (14):

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14. (14) or __________ other offences.

- Options:
a) rears
b) nurtures
c) breeds
d) urges

Still the same — none fit.

But "committing" would fit — but not listed.

"Engaging in"? Not listed.

So clearly, the options are wrong.

But perhaps the intended word is "committing", but not in choices.

Alternatively, maybe the blank is for a verb like "resorting to", but again, not listed.

So I think there is a formatting error in the test — the options for (12), (13), and (14) are missing.

But let’s assume that the options listed under (11) are actually for (12), and the blank (12) is meant to be filled with "nurtures" — but that doesn’t make sense.

Alternatively, maybe the sentence is:

> incapable of rearing for themselves...

No — "rearing" is not used that way.

Wait — perhaps the sentence is:

> incapable of earning for themselves...

But "earning" is not in options.

I think the most likely explanation is that the options for (12), (13), and (14) are missing.

But let’s look at the original text again.

Wait — the blank (12) is after "incapable of", so it should be a verb.

But the options are:

a) rears
b) nurtures
c) breeds
d) urges

Only "nurtures" or "breeds" could possibly be verbs of care, but not for "means of living".

So none work.

But perhaps the intended word is "providing", and the options are wrong.

Alternatively, maybe the blank is (11), and (12) is part of the same sentence.

But no.

Given the confusion, and since the test likely has a typo, I will focus on the first 11 blanks, which are correctly matched.

But wait — the last three blanks (12–14) are missing options.

But looking at the bottom of the page, only (11) has options listed.

So likely, the options for (12) and (13) are missing.

But let’s assume that the intended answers are:

- (12): providing (but not in options)
- (13): to (as in "take to")
- (14): committing or engaging in

But since we can’t choose, perhaps the test intends:

For (13): "take to stealing" — so answer is "to", but not in options.

So I think the test has a mistake.

But let’s summarize what we have:

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✔ Final Answers:

| Blank | Answer | Explanation |
|-------|--------|-----------|
| 1 | a) viewed | "Crime is viewed as..." — correct collocation |
| 2 | d) penetrating | "penetrating studies" = thorough, insightful |
| 3 | d) figure | "figure of violent crime" = statistical level |
| 4 | b) overestimated | Crime is feared more than it exists |
| 5 | a) granted | "attention is granted" — passive form |
| 6 | a) headlines | "makes the headlines" — idiom |
| 7 | c) nagging | "nagging question" = persistent issue |
| 8 | a) debated | Causes are "debated" |
| 9 | b) abuse | "drug abuse" — standard term |
| 10 | d) decline | "decline in social values" — common phrase |
| 11 | c) breeds | "poverty breeds crime" — idiomatic |

For (12), (13), (14): Options are missing or incorrectly listed.

But if we must guess based on context:

- (12): providing (not in options)
- (13): to (as in "take to stealing")
- (14): committing (or "engaging in")

But since these aren't in the provided options, it's likely a formatting error.

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✔ Corrected Version of the Text:

> Public opinion polls show that crime is viewed as one of the most serious problems of many societies. Yet, penetrating studies have revealed that the figure of violent crime is overestimated. Our peculiar awareness and fear is largely brought about by the great attention it is granted in the mass media and also because of violent crime being a popular theme for television series and films.
>
> Among all crimes, murder makes the headlines and there is little doubt that homicides still continue to be a nagging question in a number of countries. The various causes of severe crime are being constantly debated and innumerable reasons for it are being pointed out. Among these are unemployment, drug abuse, inadequate police enforcement, ineffective courts, racial discrimination, television, and the general decline in social values.
>
> An acknowledged fact is that it is mainly poverty that breeds crime. Individuals incapable of providing for themselves and their families the rudimentary means of living unavoidably take to stealing, burgling or committing other offences. We may try to explain crime on different grounds – cultural, economic, psychological or political, but criminologists are still far from detecting the exact source of violent offences as the direct link between these particular factors isn't possible to specify.

Note: For (15), the word is "grounds" — but not in options. Likely missing.

So the test has several missing options.

But based on the given options, the correct ones for (1)-(11) are:

✔ Final Answer List:

1. a) viewed
2. d) penetrating
3. d) figure
4. b) overestimated
5. a) granted
6. a) headlines
7. c) nagging
8. a) debated
9. b) abuse
10. d) decline
11. c) breeds

Blanks 12–15: Options missing — cannot be answered with given choices.