In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Located 10 miles off Scotland’s north-eastern coast, the Orkney islands are a treasure trove of history. When I visited one of Orkney’s famous prehistoric (1)____, the Maeshowe tomb, my first impression was of an unremarkable green mound (2)______ by a ditch.
Despite its appearance, this 5,000-year-old (3)____ place is actually a masterpiece of (4)_______ design and engineering, and a testament (5)______ the skill of Orkney’s prehistoric residents. That’s because, (6)______ around three weeks either side of the winter solstice (which takes (7)______ on 21 or 22 December each year), visitors have the chance to see something truly magical (8)_____ here.
During this time of year, the narrow passage into the (9)______ becomes more than just an entrance: it was deliberately designed (10)______ with the setting of the midwinter sun. Just as the last rays start to disappear – which is at around 15:10 at this deepest, darkest time of midwinter – a shaft of light creeps down the passageway, slips across the floor of the tomb and illuminates the back wall like a golden, glowing doorway to another world.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank No. 10. Located 10 miles off Scotland’s north-eastern coast, the Orkney islands are a treasure trove of history. When I visited one of Orkney’s famous prehistoric (1)____, the Maeshowe tomb, my first impression was of an unremarkable green mound (2)______ by a ditch.
Despite its appearance, this 5,000-year-old (3)____ place is actually a masterpiece of (4)_______ design and engineering, and a testament (5)______ the skill of Orkney’s prehistoric residents. That’s because, (6)______ around three weeks either side of the winter solstice (which takes (7)______ on 21 or 22 December each year), visitors have the chance to see something truly magical (8)_____ here.
During this time of year, the narrow passage into the (9)______ becomes more than just an entrance: it was deliberately designed (10)______ with the setting of the midwinter sun. Just as the last rays start to disappear – which is at around 15:10 at this deepest, darkest time of midwinter – a shaft of light creeps down the passageway, slips across the floor of the tomb and illuminates the back wall like a golden, glowing doorway to another world.
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Correct answer: A
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