B2 Use of English Test 14 – Writing the missing word in gaps

For questions 1-9, read the text below and think of the word which best fits the gap. Use only one word in each gap.

The Mini-Monet

Kieron Williamson is a very successful landscape painter. His paintings, (1)……………  mostly depict the peaceful countryside around his home village in eastern England, sell very well. Perhaps this shouldn’t (2)…………… as that much of a surprise. It’s a beautiful part of the world, and landscape paintings are always popular.

The strange thing about Kieron, however, (3)…………… that he is only seven years old. At a recent exhibition of his work, all the paintings were sold in half an hour, some for £100,000 each. Kieron now has fans all over the world, and has gained the nickname the ‘Mini-Monet’.

What’s even (4)…………… surprising is that Kieron doesn’t come from an artistic family, and only started painting two years (5)…………… . He first got inspiration (6)…………… some boats he saw on holiday at the seaside. Kieron asked his parents if they (7)…………… buy him a sketch pad and pencils (8)…………… that he could draw them. Only when they saw (9)…………… well he drew did they realise that he was talented.