Rare Barn Owl Family Draws Crowds on Manhattan’s Upper West Side

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 owls ___ widely known after a resident contacted a news outlet.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. become
   2. became
   3. becoming
   4. has become
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   became

   Use the past simple for a completed event in the past.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   People gathered at night ___ the birds.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. see
   2. seeing
   3. to see
   4. saw
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to see

   Use the infinitive to show the purpose of gathering.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The birds ___ in a water tower near Central Park.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. nest
   2. nested
   3. nesting
   4. have nest
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   nested

   Use the past simple for the completed nesting event.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The owls are not often ___ in this part of the city.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. see
   2. saw
   3. seen
   4. seeing
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   seen

   After “are,” use the past participle in the passive voice.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The population has ___ over time.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. decline
   2. declined
   3. declining
   4. declines
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   declined

   After “has,” use the past participle form.

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.