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

The British began to take trips to the seaside after the creation of bank holidays in 1871, Coastal towns such as Bournemouth and Blackpool enjoyed great popularity with families seeking the benefits of seawater bathing and (31)_____ air. However, when the airline industry started to offer low (32)_____flights to sunnier destinations in the 1970s, many British people started taking their holidays abroad. This resulted in a lack of investment into seaside resorts and before (33)_____many of them were no longer the attractive, lively places they once were. However, improved water quality, cleaner beaches and warmer British summers have all helped to attract people back to the British seaside. Also, many people are now preferring to take shorter (34)_____and don’t want to waste time queueing at airports.

(35)_____ to say, facilities, attractions, and the quality of hotels and guesthouses in many resorts have improved dramatically

Question 31:

indicate the word(s) closest in meaning: Childbearing is the women's