Flash-Flood Risk Lingers Across the Southwest After Rachel’s Remnants Swamped Nevada

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 warning is significant because it ___ conditions that may continue after the storm has weakened.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. highlights
   2. has highlighted
   3. highlighted
   4. highlighting
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   has highlighted

   The relative clause requires the present perfect to express an earlier event with present relevance.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Had the drainage systems not been overwhelmed, the flooding ___ considerably less severe.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. would be
   2. would have been
   3. will be
   4. were
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   would be

   This mixed conditional requires a past perfect condition and a present result form.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The service issued watches lest further storms ___ already vulnerable areas.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   worsen

   After “lest,” formal English requires a subjunctive bare infinitive.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The article emphasizes not only what has happened but also what ___ happen next.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. could
   2. could to
   3. could have
   4. could be
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   could

   Parallel structure after “what” requires the modal construction “could happen.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Only after the rainfall had passed ___ the continuing danger become apparent.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. the continuing danger did
   2. did the continuing danger
   3. the continuing danger had
   4. had the continuing danger
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   did the continuing danger

   Fronted negative-style inversion requires auxiliary “did” before the subject.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The warning, ___ to subsequent showers, encouraged residents to remain vigilant.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. referring
   2. referred
   3. to refer
   4. having refer
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   referring

   A reduced passive clause requires the past participle “referring.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   It is essential that residents ___ alert as conditions develop.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. remain
   2. remains
   3. to remain
   4. remaining
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   remain

   Mandative “It is essential that” takes the subjunctive bare infinitive.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The storm weakened, ___ substantial moisture into the region.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. carrying
   2. carried
   3. to carried
   4. having carry
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   carrying

   The participial phrase expresses a simultaneous consequence of the storm’s weakening.

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.