Read the text and then decide which word (A, B, C or D) best fits each space. The exercise begins with an example (0).

Help always at hand: a mobile is a girl’s best friend



If it fits inside the pocket, keeps you (0) A as well in touch with your office, your mother and your children, it is (1) _____worth having. This is the (2)_____ of the (3)_____ ranks of female mobile-phone users who are beginning to (4)_____ the consumer market.

Although Britain has been (5)_____ to be one of the most expensive places in the world to (6)_____ a mobile phone, both professional women and (7)____ mothers are undeterred. At first, the mobile phone was a rich man plaything, or a businessman’s (8)-_____ symbol. Now women own almost as many telephones as men do – but for very different reasons.

The main (9)_____ for most women customers is that it (10)____ a form of communication back-up, wherever they are, in case of (11)_____ . James Tanner of Tancroft Communications says: “The (12)_____ of people buying phones from us this year were women – often young women – or men who were buying for their mothers, wives and girlfriends. And it always seems to be a questionof (13)____ of mind.



“Size is also (14)_____ for women. They want something that will fit in a handbag,” said Mr Tanner. “The tiny phones coming in are having a very big (15)_____ . This year’s models are only half the size of your hand.”