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Exam guide & reading text

The Rest Day That MattersPart 2: Open Cloze

"The Rest Day That Matters" targets the Open Cloze (Part 2) of the Cambridge C1 Proficiency exam. Unlike Part 1, no options are provided — you must supply single words (articles, prepositions, auxiliaries, pronouns, conjunctions or discourse markers) that complete the text grammatically and logically. Scan each gap for the grammatical slot it occupies: is it linking clauses, marking reference, or completing a fixed structure? Small words carry heavy weight at C2 level.

Read the full Part 2: Open Cloze strategy guide →

Reading text

Rest days are sometimes mistaken for an absence of training, yet they are part of the work itself. Muscles adapt (9) .......... a different pace from motivation, and both need time after repeated effort. A well-planned rest day, (10) .......... may include gentle movement, should not become another test of discipline. Athletes (11) .......... not have to spend every free hour improving something. (12) .......... fatigue is addressed early, small problems can become persistent ones. The best routine gives (13) .......... body enough fuel and sleep, while leaving room (14) .......... ordinary life outside sport. This balance is as important (15) .......... a demanding session, because a performer who never switches off may lose more (16) .......... fitness.