Bob Woodward Criticizes Jeff Bezos in New Memoir

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

B1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Fill in the blank (dropdown)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete sentence and notice the subject, verb form, time reference and word order before answering.

1. Question 1 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Woodward ___ much of his career writing about politics.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. has spent
   2. have spend
   3. has spending
   4. spent has
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   has spent

   The present perfect shows an activity continuing through his career.

2. Question 2 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   A memoir is a book ___ a person’s own experiences.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. about
   2. at
   3. to
   4. for
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   about

   The preposition “about” introduces the book’s subject.

3. Question 3 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Readers expect reporters ___ independently.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. to work
   2. working
   3. work to
   4. to working
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to work

   The verb “expect” is followed by a person and a to-infinitive.

4. Question 4 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Owners can ___ the direction of a company.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. influence
   2. influences
   3. influencing
   4. to influenced
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   influence

   After “can,” the main verb uses its base form.

5. Question 5 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The memoir ___ further details about the disagreement.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. does not provide
   2. do not provides
   3. does not providing
   4. not does provide
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   does not provide

   The singular subject “account” requires “does not provide.”

What to review next

After checking an answer, explain the rule in your own words and write a new sentence using the same pattern. Revisit any rules you could not explain.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.