Understanding pneumonic plague after Russian lab worker’s death

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 report emphasizes that monitoring a potential case ___ confirming an outbreak.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. are not the same as
   2. is not the same as
   3. be not the same as
   4. is not same than
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   is not the same as

   The construction requires the singular verb “is” before the complement “not the same.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Had the worker’s illness been confirmed, authorities ___ described the situation differently.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. might have
   2. might had
   3. might having
   4. might to have
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   might have

   This mixed conditional requires “might have” plus a past participle for a possible past result.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The measures were introduced ___ contact while officials assessed the threat.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. for limit
   2. to limit
   3. limiting to
   4. to limiting
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to limit

   The infinitive of purpose correctly follows “introduced” in this context.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The article avoids ___ that wider transmission has occurred.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. claim
   2. to claim
   3. claiming
   4. claimed
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   claiming

   The verb “avoid” requires a gerund complement, here “claiming.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The available account provides no evidence ___ the worker’s illness was pneumonic plague.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. which
   2. whose
   3. that
   4. what
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   that

   The noun “evidence” takes the content clause introduced by “that.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Although officials offered reassurance, quarantines ___ at several facilities.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. was imposed
   2. were imposed
   3. were imposing
   4. have impose
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   were imposed

   The passive past construction requires “were imposed” with a plural subject.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The situation remains under scrutiny, ___ authorities determine whether an infectious threat exists.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   while

   “While” appropriately introduces simultaneous ongoing assessment.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Not until further evidence emerges ___ possible to assess the incident confidently.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. it will be
   2. will it be
   3. it be will
   4. will be it
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   will it be

   Fronted negative inversion requires the auxiliary “will it be.”

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.