El-Sayed and Stevens Trade Sharp Comments in Michigan Senate Race

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

B2. 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 candidates ___ strongly critical comments in public.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. trade
   2. traded
   3. has traded
   4. was trading
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   traded

   The plural subject requires the past-tense verb traded.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The article explains that a primary is an election ___ parties select candidates.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. which
   2. where
   3. what
   4. who
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   where

   The relative adverb where correctly introduces the place or process.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Stevens demanded that El-Sayed ___ an apology.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. offered
   2. offers
   3. offer
   4. offering
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   offer

   After demanded that, the base-form subjunctive verb is appropriate.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The criticism made cooperation ___ for party members.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. difficulty
   2. difficult
   3. difficultly
   4. to difficulty
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   difficult

   The structure make something plus adjective requires difficult.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Candidates need ___ themselves from rivals during a primary.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. distinguish
   2. distinguishing
   3. to distinguish
   4. distinguished
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to distinguish

   Need is followed by a to-infinitive when expressing required action.

6. Question 6 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The remarks ___ tensions within the party.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. intensify
   2. intensified
   3. has intensified
   4. was intensifying
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   intensified

   The plural subject remarks takes the past-tense verb intensified.

7. Question 7 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The available facts do not describe what ___ to the demand.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. lead
   2. leads
   3. leading
   4. led
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   led

   What led is the correct past-tense clause for the earlier event.

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.