Special education teacher shortage leaves schools searching for more support

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.

   Special education teachers ___ several roles at once.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. play
   2. plays
   3. playing
   4. played
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   play

   The plural subject requires the base-form verb “play.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The student joined the choir after she ___ support from staff.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. had received
   2. has received
   3. receives
   4. receiving
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   had received

   The past perfect shows support happened before joining the choir.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The shortage has continued ___ special education became federal law.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. since
   2. during
   3. while
   4. unless
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   since

   “Since” introduces the starting point of an ongoing situation.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Schools struggle ___ and keep qualified teachers.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. to recruit
   2. recruiting
   3. recruited
   4. recruits
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to recruit

   The verb “struggle” is followed by a to-infinitive.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The number of students receiving services ___ rising.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   is

   The singular subject “number” takes the singular verb “is.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Teachers may feel isolated ___ they work with many different student needs.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. because
   2. although
   3. unless
   4. whereas
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   because

   “Because” correctly introduces the reason for feeling isolated.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The work can have a powerful effect on students’ opportunities and ___.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. confidence
   2. confident
   3. confidently
   4. confide
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   confidence

   The coordinated nouns require another noun, “confidence.”

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.