Read the following passage then choose the best answer from the four options (marked A, B, C and D) to complete the numbered blanks in the passage. Several years ago while I was visiting Athens for a few weeks, I decided to spend a whole day on a nearby island. The weather (46)________ had predicted that it would be a scorching hot day so (47)________  off early in the morning. Even though I arrived at the port in plenty of time, I was forced to sit on the top (48)________because other passengers who had got to the boat earlier filled the lower ones. Soon after the boat had departed, somebody came round with raffle tickets. There were, as far as I could make (49)________two prizes: a bag of fresh fish and several (50)________ of chocolate. I bought a ticket, not expecting to win as I had never won anything in a raffle (51)________. Some time later the person who had sold the tickets announced the winning numbers. To my great surprise, I had won the chocolate. I was naturally delighted, but (52)________how I could prevent it from (853)________in the intense heat. Realizing that I could not possible eat it all myself, I (54)________it with the passengers sitting near me. In return, they offered me sandwiches and (55)________drinks. All in all, it was a pleasant start to a memorable day with my new acquaintances.

The weather (46)________ had predicted that it would be a scorching hot day so (47)________  off early in the morning.