Directions: Choose the correct answer that best completes each of the blanks in the text. The bicycle is a cheap and clean way __ (36) __ The first bicycle was made about one hundred and fifty years __ __ At first, bicycles were expensive. Only rich people [38] __ buy one. These early bicycles were like very different __ __ the ones we have today. Later, when bicycles became cheaper, many people [40] __ one. People started riding bicycles to work __ (41) __ in their free time. Today, people use cars more than bicycles; cars are much [42] __ and you don't get wet when it rains! But some people [43] __ .prefer to cycle to work. They say that [44] __ .are too many cars in town centres and you can't find any ...(45) __ to park! 36.(A.) to travel B. travel C. travelling D. travelled 37. A. before B. since C. ago D. yesterday 38. A. must B. may C. could D. can 39. A. to B. from C. with D. in 40(A) bought B. buy C. buys D. to buy 41. A. and B. but C. yet D. nor 42. A. fast B. fastest C. faster D.) more fast 43. A. yet (B) still C. already D. but 44. A. there B. they C. here D. then 45.A. anything B. anyone C. any place D. anywhere

Here are the answers and explanations for the blanks:<br /><br />**36. (A) to travel**<br /><br />* **Explanation:** The sentence needs a prepositional phrase to complete the meaning. "To travel" is the correct prepositional phrase, indicating the purpose of the bicycle.<br /><br />**37. (C) ago**<br /><br />* **Explanation:** "Ago" is used to indicate a time in the past. The sentence is talking about the time when the first bicycle was made.<br /><br />**38. (C) could**<br /><br />* **Explanation:** "Could" is the past tense of "can" and indicates ability. The sentence is talking about a time in the past when only rich people had the ability to buy a bicycle.<br /><br />**39. (B) from**<br /><br />* **Explanation:** "From" is used to show a difference or contrast. The sentence is comparing early bicycles to modern ones.<br /><br />**40. (A) bought**<br /><br />* **Explanation:** "Bought" is the past tense of "buy" and is needed because the sentence is talking about a past event.<br /><br />**41. (A) and**<br /><br />* **Explanation:** "And" is used to connect two similar ideas. The sentence is saying that people rode bicycles to work and in their free time.<br /><br />**42. (C) faster**<br /><br />* **Explanation:** "Faster" is the comparative form of "fast" and is used to compare cars to bicycles.<br /><br />**43. (B) still**<br /><br />* **Explanation:** "Still" is used to indicate that something continues to be true. The sentence is saying that some people still prefer to cycle to work.<br /><br />**44. (A) there**<br /><br />* **Explanation:** "There" is used to indicate a place. The sentence is talking about the number of cars in town centers.<br /><br />**45. (D) anywhere**<br /><br />* **Explanation:** "Anywhere" is used to indicate any place. The sentence is saying that people can't find any place to park in town centers. <br />