What marathon training may do to the body, examined through one reporter’s preparation

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 findings, though preliminary, ___ a more comprehensive investigation.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. warrants
   2. warrant
   3. warranting
   4. to warrants
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   warrant

   The plural subject requires the plural present verb “warrant.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Had the researchers ignored recovery, the training regimen ___ far more damaging.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   might have been

   A third conditional requires “might have been” for a past hypothetical result.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The clinician recommended that the athlete ___ her mileage temporarily.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. reduces
   2. reduced
   3. reduce
   4. reducing
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   reduce

   Mandative subjunctive requires the base form after “recommended that.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The tests revealed not only altered energy demands ___ also delayed recovery.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. and
   2. but
   3. or
   4. than
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   but

   The correlative construction requires “but also.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Only after reviewing the wider context ___ the physician interpret the result responsibly.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. the physician could
   2. could the physician
   3. the physician can
   4. can the physician
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   could the physician

   A fronted restrictive adverbial triggers subject–auxiliary inversion.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The article presents training as a process ___ outcomes depend on several variables.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   whose

   The relative pronoun “whose” appropriately indicates possession.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The evidence is too limited ___ any definitive conclusion about long-term harm.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. drawing
   2. draw
   3. to draw
   4. draws
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to draw

   The construction “too limited to draw” requires the to-infinitive.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   ___ the athlete’s performance improved, the investigation remained focused on bodily strain.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. Despite
   2. Although
   3. Because of
   4. Nevertheless
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   Although

   “Although” correctly introduces a concessive subordinate clause.

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.