3NT Cloze Test 8 - Modified Cloze 2

There was a thunderstorm the day the soldiers were expected to return home. Everyone, especially the family members, waited anxiously _____ the first sounds of the horses' hoofs.

It was only then that the people would find out _____ their loved ones were safe.

Those who failed to return would be presumed to have been killed _____ fighting for their country.

For as long as the people _____ remember, the country had been at war with the neighbouring country.

_____ the battleground was far from the city, those who remained behind lived in constant fear of being attacked.

The king had ignored the pleas of the people to settle the differences _____ the countries in a peaceful manner instead of going to war.

As anxious family members waited, the rain started. It was only a drizzle at first, _____ before long, it started to pour.

All _____ time, they never took their eyes off the huge gate in the distance.

The rain eventually stopped several hours later. By _____, it was almost evening and the sun was about to set.

The people were getting more worried. _____ were still no signs of the men.