Short Wave explores ancient sea monsters, long COVID and elephant carcasses

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.

   Scientists use evidence from fossils ___ how ancient animals survived.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. learn
   2. to learn
   3. learning
   4. learned
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to learn

   Use takes a to-infinitive when explaining its purpose.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The microbiome is the community of tiny organisms that ___ in and on the body.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. lives
   2. live
   3. living
   4. to live
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   lives

   The singular subject “community” requires “lives” in the relative clause.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   A carcass can become part of the ecosystem, ___ food for other living things.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. provide
   2. provided
   3. providing
   4. to providing
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   providing

   The participle “providing” shows the result of becoming part of the ecosystem.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Short Wave ___ three science topics in this episode.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. look
   2. looks
   3. looking
   4. to look
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   looks

   The singular subject “Short Wave” requires the singular present verb “looks.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Scientists study fossils to learn how ancient sea monsters ___.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. moved
   2. moving
   3. to moved
   4. moves
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   moved

   The past-tense verb matches the animals’ ancient actions.

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.