For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
| A after | В on | C in | D out |
Diamonds
Diamond is the strongest, firmest mineral in existence – and one of the most sought 0_____. It comes 1 various shapes and colours. Diamonds can be both natural and 2 , which means they are made by humans rather than nature. They are synthesised to be used in many spheres of life – this has to be done because real diamonds are prohibitively expensive.
It is 3 that the first diamonds were found in waters of Indian rivers 2500 years ago. However, it was not until 19th century that the mining of diamonds started on a large 4 . The first major deposits were found in South Africa thanks to the “diamond rush” that attracted people from all over the world to try their fortune. At the time, nine out of ten diamonds came from this country. Even today it 5 the leading producer of diamonds, accounting for more than a third of all the stones mined worldwide.
Diamonds remain the most expensive of gemstones. Its size is 6 in carats – one carat being 20 grams, and it costs up to $12,000. Any stone over 2 carats is 7 big. The biggest stone to have ever been discovered is Cullinan, named after the owner of the mine it was found in. It weighed an astonishing 3107 carats, or more than half a kilogram. It was later broken 8 nine large fragments to be given shape.
Click to download this CAE Use of English Part 1 Worksheet in PDF.