Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Face-to-face conversation is a two-way process: You speak to me, I reply to you and so on. Two-way (23)_______ depends on having a coding system that is understood by both sender and (24)_______, and an agreed convention about signaling the beginning and end of the message. In speech, the coding system is the language like English or Spanish; the convention that one person speaks at a time may seem too obvious to mention. In fact, the signals (25)_______ in conversation and meetings are often (26)_______. For example, lowering the pitch of the voice may mean the end of a sentence, a sharp intake of breath may signal the desire to interrupt, catching the chairman’s eye may indicate the desire to speak in a formal setting like a debate, a clenched fist may indicate anger. When (27)_______ visual signals are not possible, more formal signals may be needed.

She started to clean up the house just after the guests had left.

→ No sooner _______________________________________________.

He didn’t succeeded in searching for the stolen car.

The only thing they didn’t steal was the television.

House prices have risen dramatically this year.

Rewrite each of the sentences without changing its meaning, using the cue given.

We couldn’t have managed without my father’s money.

→ If it hadn’t _______________________________________________.

The policeman acted quickly and averted an accident. (prompt)

→ The policeman’s ________________________________.

The prime minister in unlikely to call an early general election.  (likelihood)

-> The likelihood __________________________________.

Twenty years ago this region produced twice as much coal as it does now.   (halved)

-> The coal produced _____________________________.

People don’t want to buy cars with large engines any more.   (call)

Finish the second sentence so that it means the same as the first one, using the word in capital letters which must not be altered in any way.

You should think about the price before you decide whether to buy it or not.            (consideration)

-> You should ______________________________________.