Catherine Breed Completes Historic Swim Along the Length of California

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.

   Swimmers must ___ with waves and changing weather.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. deal
   2. deals
   3. dealing
   4. dealt
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   deal

   After the modal must, use the base form of the verb.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Breed ___ the journey near the Mexico border on Monday.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. finished
   2. finishes
   3. finishing
   4. finish
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   finished

   A completed past event with a finished time uses the simple past.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The journey ___ nearly four months before Breed reached the border.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. had lasted
   2. has lasted
   3. lasting
   4. last
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   had lasted

   Use past perfect for an action completed before another past action.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Conditions can change quickly, ___ swimmers need careful planning.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. so
   2. because
   3. although
   4. unless
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   so

   Because gives the correct cause-and-result relationship between the two clauses.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Swimming long distances ___ patience and careful preparation.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. requires
   2. require
   3. requiring
   4. required
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   requires

   A gerund subject takes a singular verb in this sentence.

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.