Science roundup links shared meals, exceptionally loud birds, and asteroid Bennu to bigger questions

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.

   Researchers in Israel gave participants the same quantity of carbohydrates ___ they measured their blood-glucose levels.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   before

   The conjunction “before” correctly establishes temporal order.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The social group cleared glucose more efficiently, ___ the researchers regarded the mechanism as provisional.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. although
   2. because of
   3. therefore
   4. so that
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   although

   “Although” introduces the concessive contrast required by context.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The findings suggest that social context may influence a process ___ often treated as purely biological.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. that is
   2. what is
   3. which it is
   4. where is
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   that is

   The relative adverb “that” correctly introduces the modifying clause.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The brain may associate other people with eating, thereby ___ the metabolic process earlier.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. prompting
   2. prompt
   3. to prompt
   4. prompted
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   prompting

   “Prompting” follows “thereby” in this participial construction.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The researchers measured glucose levels after participants ___ the prescribed quantity of bread.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. had eaten
   2. have eaten
   3. would eat
   4. were eating
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   had eaten

   Past perfect marks the earlier completed action.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Had the researchers included more participants, the findings ___ more generalizable.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   might have been

   This mixed conditional requires “might have been” for a past condition and result.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The article presents the mechanism as plausible rather than definitive, ___ the evidence remains limited.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   given that

   “Given that” correctly introduces the reason for caution.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The samples may help scientists determine ___ Bennu’s material can illuminate Earth’s beginnings.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. whether
   2. which
   3. what of
   4. that if
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   whether

   “Whether” introduces the embedded indirect question grammatically.

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.