The Holei Sea Arch, a Centuries-Old Hawaii Wonder, Crumbles Into the Pacific

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

C1. 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 arch ___ for centuries before it collapsed during the storm.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. had endured
   2. has endured
   3. would endure
   4. is enduring
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   had endured

   The past perfect marks an earlier continuing state before the later collapse.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The formation disintegrated while the tropical storm ___ through the area.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. moves
   2. was moving
   3. has moved
   4. had moved
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   was moving

   The past continuous describes an action in progress when another occurred.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The article suggests that natural landmarks ___ permanent because they remain familiar.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. can seem
   2. must seeming
   3. ought seem
   4. would have seem
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   can seem

   The modal expresses a general possibility rather than certainty.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Erosion creates an opening, ___ an elevated span above the water.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   leaving

   The present participle appropriately expresses the resulting configuration.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The storm helps explain why exposed formations ___ during severe weather.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   are vulnerable

   The plural subject requires the present-tense passive form “are.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The landscape does not simply return to an earlier state; it ___ a new form.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. take on
   2. takes on
   3. taking on
   4. has take on
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   takes on

   The coordinated clauses require a present-tense verb agreeing with “it.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Had the arch been less exposed, it ___ less vulnerable during the storm.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. might have been
   2. might be
   3. will have been
   4. has been
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   might have been

   This mixed conditional describes a different past condition and result.

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.