Susan Collins Is Always Keeping Score

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.

   Susan Collins ___ millions of dollars to communities across Maine.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. has delivered
   2. have delivered
   3. has deliver
   4. delivering
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   has delivered

   Use the present perfect for a past action connected to now.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   People say it is best ___ getting on her bad side.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. to avoid
   2. avoiding
   3. avoid
   4. avoided
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to avoid

   The expression “avoid” is followed by a gerund.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The support has reached every corner of the state, ___ her an important figure.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   making

   A present participle can show the result of the first action.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   People pay close attention when political disagreements ___.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. arise
   2. arises
   3. arising
   4. to arise
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   arise

   The plural subject “disagreements” takes “arise.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Those connections may ___ how communities respond to the senator.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. shape
   2. shapes
   3. shaping
   4. shaped
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   shape

   After the modal “may,” use the base form of the verb.

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.