A fossil feather from the age of dinosaurs may explain why only some birds survived
About this practice test
Listen to the B1 Daily News report “A fossil feather from the age of dinosaurs may explain why only some birds survived” and answer 5 comprehension questions.
What you’ll practice
Understanding detail
Follow specific information and examples.
Interpreting ideas
Identify main points and inferences.
Evaluating arguments
Assess claims, evidence, and limitations.
What to expect:
5 questions with explanations to review after submission.
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
- B1. 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
- Single choice
How to approach this practice
Read the questions, then listen before opening the transcript. Notice names, numbers and any corrections the speaker makes.
News lesson for this practice
Read the complete article and use its text or audio alongside these exercises: A fossil feather from the age of dinosaurs may explain why only some birds survived.
A fossil feather from the age of dinosaurs may explain why only some birds survived
Read a transcript excerpt
A fossil feather from the age of dinosaurs may help explain why only some birds survived. The finding is the subject of a report from NPR. It connects one small piece of ancient evidence with a much larger question about the history of birds. The key word in the report is “may.” The feather could offer a clue, but the supplied information does not say that it gives a complete…
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Question 1 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Where does the report come from?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A museum
- NPR
- A university
- A bird research center
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- NPR
The recording directly identifies NPR as the report’s source.
The finding is the subject of a report from NPR.
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Question 2 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What does the finding connect?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A modern nest with a dinosaur egg
- A small ancient object with bird history
- Two reports about different museums
- A feather with a complete survival answer
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- A small ancient object with bird history
The finding links one small ancient object with a broad historical question.
It connects one small piece of ancient evidence with a much larger question about the history of birds.
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Question 3 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What happened first in the recording’s explanation?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Scientists confirmed the cause of survival.
- The article introduced a possible fossil clue.
- The report rejected the value of fossils.
- More evidence explained the final answer.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- The article introduced a possible fossil clue.
The recording first introduces the fossil before discussing its limits.
A fossil feather from the age of dinosaurs may help explain why only some birds survived.
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Question 4 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Why might the fossil be useful even though it is small?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- It may reveal information about ancient birds.
- It proves every bird survived.
- It shows where the report was published.
- It gives scientists a modern bird sample.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- It may reveal information about ancient birds.
The recording says small objects can help study ancient life and change.
A feather can be a small object, but it may still be useful when people study how ancient birds lived and changed.
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Question 5 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What result may follow from getting more evidence?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Scientists may make a stronger claim.
- The feather may disappear completely.
- All ancient birds may return.
- The report may become about dinosaurs only.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Scientists may make a stronger claim.
More evidence could help scientists identify the cause of survival.
More evidence may be needed before scientists can say what caused only some birds to survive.
What to review next
Listen again to difficult sections, then open the transcript to check what you heard. Repeat a useful phrase aloud and try the recording once more without the text.
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.
Before you practise: a worked example
Listen for the final information, especially when a speaker corrects or changes an earlier statement.
Example transcript: “Let’s meet at five — actually, half past five would be better.” What is the final suggested time?
The final suggested time is 5:30. Actually signals a correction; the first time is replaced by the later suggestion.
This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.