Fed Keeps Interest Rates Steady as Inflation Remains High

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.

   The Federal Reserve ___ its benchmark interest rate unchanged.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. keep
   2. kept
   3. keeping
   4. keeps
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   kept

   The past-tense verb matches the article's completed October decision.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Higher rates can also ___ borrowing more expensive.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. make
   2. makes
   3. made
   4. making
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   make

   The modal “can” must be followed by the base verb.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Investors expected the Federal Reserve ___ rates in December.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. raise
   2. raising
   3. to raise
   4. raised
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to raise

   “Expect” takes a to-infinitive before the expected action.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The passengers became stranded because their trip ___ cut short.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. is
   2. was
   3. were
   4. be
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   was

   The passive form uses “was” before the past participle.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Officials are continuing ___ economic information.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. watch
   2. watched
   3. watching
   4. to watch
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to watch

   “Continue” takes a to-infinitive 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.