Two Americans win Nobel economics prize for research on boom-and-bust cycles

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 economists ___ the effects of household and business decisions.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. examined
   2. have examined
   3. examining
   4. examine
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   examined

   The past simple describes their completed research.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The article says that consumers may reduce spending if conditions ___.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. worsen
   2. worsens
   3. worsened
   4. worsening
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   worsen

   After “may,” the base verb expresses a possible future change.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Companies often try ___ future conditions before setting prices.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. predict
   2. predicting
   3. predicted
   4. predicts
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   predict

   “Try” is followed by a to-infinitive when describing an intended effort.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The pandemic forced millions of people ___ work.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. to leave
   2. leave
   3. leaving
   4. left
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to leave

   The structure “force someone to do” requires a to-infinitive.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Households make decisions based not only on current income ___ on future expectations.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. but also
   2. and also
   3. or also
   4. than also
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   but also

   The fixed correlative structure is “not only ... but also.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Because changing prices has been costly, companies ___ predict future conditions.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. often try to
   2. often tries to
   3. often trying to
   4. often tried to
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   often try to

   “Often” requires a finite present-tense verb with plural subject.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Since households look ahead, policymakers need ___ their plans clearly.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. to explain
   2. explaining
   3. explained
   4. explains
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to explain

   The adjective “need” here takes a to-infinitive complement.

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.