Simple Present (1)

Andrew Smodley is a natural worrier. It is something he has ......... from his father — the king of all worriers.
received
left
earned
inherited

But then there are those who are never happy unless they have a problem to ..........
dissolve
solve
cut
release

Andrew worried about the weather, the state of the pound, his health, the cost of ......... and once he even worried because he thought he wasn't worrying enough.
life
existence
living
existing

But that was in the past. Things have changed because something happened to him exactly two years ..........
ago
gone
passed
over

It was in the spring when leaves appear on trees and nature prepares herself for renewal. Other things happen too — people ......... in love.
tumble
drop
decline
fall

Now Andrew doesn't have a romantic .......... He never looks up at the leaves starting to grow, sighs and says: "Ah, here comes the spring!"
constitution
disposition
institution
position

He simply thinks to himself: "I live in a small village by a little stream and ......... this time of year lots of creatures start to wake up and make a lot of noise."
across
through
around
against

"In London, which ......... on the river Thames, people make a lot of noise all the time."
stands
holds
begins
sits

I apologise for the simplicity of these ......... but I want to illustrate the unimaginative nature which Andrew possesses.
declamations
requirements
mentions
statements

Towards the end of this story I give examples to show the extent of the change he ..........
undertook
underwent
understood
underdid