Europe’s historic spa towns blend mineral waters, grand architecture, and enduring wellness traditions

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

C2. 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 resorts have preserved their traditions, ___ adapting their facilities to contemporary expectations.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   while

   “While” correctly introduces a simultaneous contrastive subordinate clause.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Had UNESCO not designated the towns in 2021, their shared heritage ___ less visible internationally.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. might have remained
   2. might remain
   3. will have remained
   4. would remaining
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   might have remained

   A third conditional requires “might have remained” for an unreal past result.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The article presents spa culture as more than a collection of facilities, ___?

   Choices for blank 1

   1. does it
   2. doesn’t it
   3. is it
   4. isn’t it
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   does it

   A negative statement takes the positive auxiliary tag “does it?”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The town’s continued popularity is attributed to its ability ___ inherited rituals with modern leisure.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. to reconcile
   2. reconciling
   3. reconcile
   4. reconciled
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to reconcile

   The noun “ability” is followed by a to-infinitive.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The hotel, ___ in 1896, still faces the central park.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. completed
   2. completing
   3. was completing
   4. has complete
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   completed

   A reduced passive relative clause requires the past participle “completed.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Rarely ___ therapeutic bathing so visibly integrated with public musical life.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. has
   2. have
   3. does
   4. is
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   has

   Negative-fronted adverbs require subject-auxiliary inversion in formal English.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The Wandelhalle is large enough ___ performances by the spa orchestra.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. to host
   2. hosting
   3. host
   4. hosted
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to host

   After “large enough,” the grammatical complement is a to-infinitive.

8. Question 8 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   What the resorts demonstrate ___ that historical continuity need not preclude adaptation.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   is

   A singular wh-clause subject takes the singular verb “is.”

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.