B2 Use of English Test 6 – 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.

Manatees

I have to admit that until I went to Florida in the USA, I don’t think I (1)…………… ever heard of manatees. They are large mammals which live in sea water and are also known (2)…………… ‘sea cows’. This is partly due (3)…………… their cow-like appearance, and also because of their diet. They are vegetarians who live (4)…………… weeds and grass that they find under water. In fact, they can eat as (5)…………… as 50 kg of this is a day. The adult manatees weigh up to 590 kg.

Manatee populations have been suffering recently; in fact conservationists were (6)…………… concerned that they have declared the manatee an endangered species. When I went to see these animals in the wild, (7)…………… amazed me was their appearance. Their lips have left and right sides, which can move independently of (8)…………… another. Manatees are slow and graceful in the water, which, (9)…………… me, was an incredible sight to see.