The (0) earliest form of tennis was played in the thirteenth century, when (1) ………….hit the ball with their hands, instead of racquets. French monks were enthusiastic (2) ………….of the game, but the Pope at the time strongly (3) ………….of it, and it was banned for being too frivolous. The religious authorities, however, were (4) ………….to prevent the growing (5) ………….of the game and by the sixteenth century, it had evolved into the sport of Real Tennis, which was played on an indoor court. The first tennis balls were filled with hair and small stones - a (6) ………….experience for anyone who was hit by one. (7) …………., balls are now significantly (8) …………., consisting of two half shells of rubber covered with cloth. They are also more (9)………….than before; bright yellow is a lot (10) ………….to see on our TV screens than the traditional white. 0. early 1. participate 2. play 3. approve 4. able 5. succeed 6. pain 7. luck 8. light 9. colour 10. easy 

The (0) earliest form of tennis was played in the thirteenth century, when (1)  participants hit the ball with their hands, instead of racquets. French monks were enthusiastic (2) players of the game, but the Pope at the time strongly (3) disapproved of it, and it was banned for being too frivolous. The religious authorities, however, were (4) unable to prevent the growing (5) success of the game and by the sixteenth century, it had evolved into the sport of Real Tennis, which was played on an indoor court. The first tennis balls were filled with hair and small stones - a (6) painful experience for anyone who was hit by one. (7) luckily, balls are now significantly (8) lighter, consisting of two half shells of rubber covered with cloth. They are also more (9 )colourful. than before; bright yellow is a lot (10)  easier to see on our TV screens than the traditional white.