For many people Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) is the
most (0) influential figure in the history of western classical
INFLUENCE
music. His (1) ..extraordinary... talent was already clearly evident as a
ORDINARY
young man, (2) ..mercifully... surviving a somewhat unconventional
MERCY
(3) upbringing during which his eccentric father would often force
BRING
him to take music lessons in the middle of the night.
The young Beethoven's ability won him the admiration of the
leading contemporary musical figures. Throughout the 1790s
he worked hard to secure the interest of wealthy patrons.
Such patronage (4) ..ENABLED... him to concentrate on becoming a
ABLE
successful composer.
Whatever his awe-inspiring musical (5) .Achievement however, his
ACHIEVE
personal life was something of a disaster. His day-to-day
(6) ...RELATIONSHIPS.. with people invariably turned out to be rather
RELATE
turbulent. Although he apparently fell in love with a number
of society women, the identity of the girl who lay closest to
his heart remains (7) .ELUSIVE.... to this day.
ELUDE
However, just at the point when Beethoven was beginning
to reap the rewards of his early endeavours, he had to come

to terms with the crushing REALISATION.. that his increasing
REALISE
deafness was (9) ...INCURABLE.. . From that point on, his music
CURE
displayed a (10) STRIKING..... change in style, becoming both heavier
STRIKE
in tone and larger in scale.