Text Message Referencing ‘Hijack’ Forces United Flight to Return to Las Vegas

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 passenger ___ the message as workplace banter.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. describe
   2. described
   3. describing
   4. has describe
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   described

   The past tense fits the completed explanation in the article.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   A charge ___ proof that someone is guilty.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. are not
   2. is not
   3. not be
   4. does not
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   is not

   The singular subject requires “is” in this present-tense statement.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Written messages can lose the context that the sender may ___ obvious.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. believes
   2. believed
   3. believe
   4. believing
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   believe

   After “may,” use the base-form verb “believe.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The flight returned after the passenger ___ the message.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. has sent
   2. had sent
   3. sending
   4. was send
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   had sent

   The past perfect marks the earlier completed action.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Officials must ___ possible threats seriously.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. treat
   2. treats
   3. treated
   4. treating
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   treat

   After “must,” use the base form of the verb.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The wording was serious enough ___ the flight.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. affect
   2. affecting
   3. affected
   4. affects
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   affect

   The structure “enough to” requires a to-infinitive.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Although the passenger had been drinking, his statement ___ the legal decision.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. are not
   2. is not
   3. not be
   4. does not being
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   is not

   A singular subject in the present requires “is not.”

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.