Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) — All Questions

Concerns about privacy are now ___ across the industry. (WIDE)

• a.wideness
• b.widely
• c.widespread✓
• d.widen

The compound adjective 'widespread' (wide + spread) means existing over a large area. A predicative adjective is needed after 'are now'.

His ___ to the feelings of others cost him several friendships. (SENSE)

• a.sensible
• b.sensitive
• c.insensitivity✓
• d.sensitivity

The context ('cost him friendships') needs a negative noun: 'in-' + 'sensitiv' + '-ity' → 'insensitivity'. A noun follows the possessive 'His'.

In all ___, the meeting will be postponed until next week. (LIKELY)

• a.likely
• b.likelihood✓
• c.liken
• d.likeness

The fixed phrase 'in all likelihood' means very probably. The suffix -hood forms the abstract noun 'likelihood' from 'likely'.

The new evidence could ___ the entire case against him. (STRONG)

• a.strengthen✓
• b.stronger
• c.strength
• d.strongly

A verb is needed after the modal 'could'. The suffix -en turns the adjective 'strong' into the verb 'strengthen'.