FCE Use of English

When the North American Space Agency (NASA) famously used trampolines to train astronauts to a high ........ of fitness, the sporting world ......... note.

• DEGREE / TOOK

• SCALE / GOT

• DEGREE / GOT

• STEP / TOOK

NASA claimed that trampolining was the best all-round ........ of fitness, better even than swimming, running and cycling.

• WAY

• FORM

• MANNER

• CONDITION

Experts agree that trampolining is excellent background training for sportspeople like sprinters and gymnasts, who need their leg muscles to react very fast. It also ..... the core very well and is good for balance and co-ordination.

• RUNS

• PLAYS

• FUNCTIONS

• EXERCISES

Also, if ..... made by trampolining manufacturers are to be believed, trampolining also ...... you strong bones and produces endorphins - chemicals which make you happy.

• CLAIMS / ENABLES

• CHALLENGES / PRODUCES

• CONCERNS / PROVIDES

• CLAIMS / GIVES

Mini trampolines, often with a handrail ......, are often used by sportspeople ..... from leg or foot injuries.

• INVOLVED / RECOVERING

• ACCOMPANIED / MENDING

• ATTACHED / RECOVERING

• ATTACHED / REGAINING

Since you cannot bounce high on them, you can get gentle repetitive exercise for the muscles - without the strain of .......... on hard ground.

• HITTING

• COMING

• LANDING

• PUTTING

Of all bird songs, that of the nightingale is arguably the (a)   impressive.

It has been widely celebrated by poets and musicians (a)   the ages.

William Shakespeare referred to the bird's song in the play Rome and Juliet (1595), and the early 20th-century composer Igor Stravinsky wrote an opera (a)   celebration of it.

Folk musicians still carry (a)   live performances in woods, responding to the bird's song with their voices or with musical instruments.