B2 Use of English Test 19 – 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.

Chewing gum

We still tend (1)…………… think chewing gum is a fairly recent invention, even (2)…………… there is evidence it was used 5,000 years ago in Finland. The Ancient Greeks also chewed gum, as (3)…………… the Aztecs in Mexico during the sixteenth century. As far as we know, however, it wasn’t (4)…………… 1869 that chewing gum became popular in its present form, (5)…………… a New York inventor called Thomas Adams first had the idea of adding flavour to it.

Nowadays, of course, it is chewed around the world, (6)…………… the fact that it continues to be regarded by some (7)…………… an unpleasant habit. Unfortunately, far too many people drop used gum onto the pavement, (8)…………… it remains for some time because it is extremely diff cult to remove once it has stuck to the surface. On the other hand, those (9)…………… favour of chewing gum claim it helps them relax, improves their concentration, and helps keep their teeth clean.