Why Rescue Robots May Take Their Cues from Octopuses

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 device must be able to ___ through unusually narrow openings.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. maneuver
   2. maneuvers
   3. maneuvered
   4. maneuvering
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   maneuver

   Modal “must” takes the bare infinitive “maneuver.”

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Researchers are looking to the octopus, an animal ___ for contorting its body.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. known
   2. knowing
   3. knew
   4. to know
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   known

   The past participle modifies “animal” in this reduced relative clause.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   A robot can be useful only if it ___ the area where it is needed.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. reaches
   2. reach
   3. reaching
   4. has reached
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   reaches

   The general condition calls for present simple agreement.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The comparison points to a design problem: ___ a confined route requires adaptability.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. negotiating
   2. negotiate
   3. to negotiating
   4. negotiated
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   negotiating

   A gerund phrase functions as the clause’s subject.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Taking inspiration from an animal does not mean that a robot ___ reproduce its behavior.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. will
   2. would to
   3. has to will
   4. is
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   will

   After “does not,” use the verb’s base form.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   A narrow passage may prevent equipment ___ directly.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. from approaching
   2. to approach
   3. approach
   4. approached
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   from approaching

   “Prevent” takes an object followed by “from” and a gerund.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The animal offers researchers a point of departure, ___ whether designs can achieve the goal remains unspecified.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   although

   “Although” correctly introduces a concessive subordinate clause.

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

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   The relevant benchmark is the ability to move through openings ___ may stand between the robot and its destination.

   Choices for blank 1

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

   Blank 1

   that

   The relative pronoun is the subject of “may stand.”

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.