с заданием 2. Circle the correct words to complete the text.

Black cats

In different cultures, black cats are considered to be either very lucky or very unlucky. In the middle ages, a time when people were 1 most / much / more superstitious than they are now, people across Europe used to kill black cats because they believed they were one of the 2 far /a lot / most sinister and cruel of animals, capable of bringing misfortune and disease to a village. Fortunately, today, people are nothing 3 like / just / near as frightened of unlucky omens 4 than / that / as people were hundreds of years ago, and few people are too concerned when they see a black cat. Oddly, while most cultures think black cats are unlucky, in Britain and Japan people think that black cats are lucky. As a result, people in those countries are 5 much / most / very more likely to have a black cat as a pet.

"2. Circle the correct words to complete the text."

Black cats

In different cultures, black cats are considered to be either very lucky or very unlucky. In the middle ages, a time when people were 1 more superstitious than they are now, people across Europe used to kill black cats because they believed they were one of the 2 most sinister and cruel of animals, capable of bringing misfortune and disease to a village. Fortunately, today, people are nothing 3 like as frightened of unlucky omens 4 as people were hundreds of years ago, and few people are too concerned when they see a black cat. Oddly, while most cultures think black cats are unlucky, in Britain and Japan people think that black cats are lucky. As a result, people in those countries are 5 more likely to have a black cat as a pet.

Explanation:

1. The phrase "more superstitious" is the correct choice here because it indicates a higher level of superstition compared to the present time.

2. The phrase "most sinister and cruel" is the correct choice here because it indicates that black cats were believed to be the most sinister and cruel animals.

3. The phrase "nothing like" is the correct choice here because it means that people today are not as frightened as people were in the past.

4. The word "as" is the correct choice here because it is used to compare the level of concern towards unlucky omens in the past and present.

5. The word "more" is the correct choice here because it indicates a higher likelihood of people in Britain and Japan having a black cat as a pet compared to other countries.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Read the text to understand the topic and context.
2. Read each sentence and determine the appropriate word by considering the meaning and grammar.
3. For each blank, compare the given options and choose the word that best fits the context.
4. Circle the chosen word in each blank.
5. Review the completed text to ensure that the chosen words make sense and maintain the overall coherence of the text.