Think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

ILLITERACY

In an era when we can download books and store them 0) on our laptops, send e-mails to the other side of the world, and access thousands of articles online at the 1)............. of a button, it seems that communication has never been easier. And yet, according to a recent study, one 2). ........ five adults in 21" century Britain is illiterate.

The cost of 3)................ being able to read and write is enormous. Since 4) .......... majority of jobs require reading and writing, the growing number of people who cannot is costing Britain around £81 billion a year 5)................. to lost earnings and increased public spending.

Research into the causes of illiteracy has shown a link between a person's background and school performance. For example, children 6)..... parents read with them from an early age demonstrate a higher level of achievement in life, as well as higher grades when they 7)............... their.. GCSE exams.

In efforts to reduce illiteracy, the government is stressing the importance of parents working with schools to 8)............... sure children attend lessons when they should. Experts agree that early intervention can help to avoid a lifetime of hardship and pain for young people struggling to read and write...