A Lunchtime Walking Group

B2 First Reading and Use of English — Part 2

Open cloze

For questions 9–16, read the text below and write one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Example answer (0) — FIRST

A Lunchtime Walking Group

At (0) _____, our lunchtime walking group followed the same route every day. In addition (9) _____ being easy to follow, it took us past a café where we could refill our water bottles. When part of the path was closed on account (10) _____ repair work, we started walking around the park (11) _____ of going along the river.

The new route took longer, so we decided to leave ten minutes earlier in (12) _____ to get back to work on time. Our manager agreed that we could start lunch early, as (13) _____ as someone stayed in the office to answer calls. In (14) _____ of that restriction, we found a way for everyone to join at least twice a week by taking turns answering the phone.

As (15) _____ as getting more exercise, we started sharing ideas for healthy lunches. We swapped recipes for meals that were easy to bring to work, such (16) _____ vegetable wraps and lentil salads.