U.S. Job Seekers Are Taking Longer to Find Work as Hiring Slows

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), Single choice

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 national unemployment rate may appear stable, ___ individual job seekers remain unable to re-enter the workforce.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. while
   2. despite
   3. because of
   4. unless
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   while

   “While” correctly introduces a contrast between aggregate stability and individual difficulty.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which sentence correctly uses the participial clause to express a consequence?

   1. Searching for months, financial pressure has increased.
   2. Searching for months, Huff has faced increasing financial pressure.
   3. Searched for months, Huff has faced increasing financial pressure.
   4. Having search for months, Huff has faced increasing financial pressure.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Searching for months, Huff has faced increasing financial pressure.

   The participial phrase logically presents financial pressure as a consequence of prolonged searching.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the grammatically correct completion: Huff has received only a handful of interviews, ___ by telephone.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. all of which conducted
   2. all of which were conducted
   3. all which conducting
   4. all of them were conducted
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   all of which were conducted

   “All of which were conducted” correctly introduces a relative clause with a passive verb.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which sentence correctly uses inversion after a negative adverbial?

   1. Rarely applicants receive such contradictory messages.
   2. Rarely do applicants receive such contradictory messages.
   3. Rarely applicants receiving such contradictory messages.
   4. Rarely did applicants receives such contradictory messages.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Rarely do applicants receive such contradictory messages.

   Negative-fronted inversion requires an auxiliary before the subject.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the correct completion: The ratio is so unfavorable that many applicants ___ secure work quickly.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. cannot
   2. not can
   3. cannot to
   4. not being able
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   cannot

   The construction “so ... that” requires a finite clause with a modal verb here.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which sentence correctly expresses a hypothetical past alternative?

   1. If benefits had lasted longer, Huff would have faced less pressure.
   2. If benefits lasted longer, Huff would have faced less pressure.
   3. If benefits have lasted longer, Huff would face less pressure.
   4. If benefits would last longer, Huff had faced less pressure.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   If benefits had lasted longer, Huff would have faced less pressure.

   A past unreal condition requires past perfect in the if-clause and would have plus participle.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the grammatically correct sentence using a concessive clause.

   1. Although the rate remains low, many workers struggle financially.
   2. Although remaining low, many workers struggle financially the rate.
   3. Although the rate remain low, many workers struggles financially.
   4. Although the rate to remain low, many workers struggle financially.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Although the rate remains low, many workers struggle financially.

   “Although” must introduce a finite clause containing the subject and verb.

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.