Genetically modified pig kidneys help two patients reach human kidney transplants

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.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   According to the report, when did NPR publish its report?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. September 7, 2025
   2. September 7, 2026
   3. October 7, 2026
   4. The date was not stated
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   September 7, 2026

   The narration gives the publication date directly in the second sentence.

   NPR reported the result on September 7, 2026, describing it as the first time this has happened.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What did the story package not explain about the pig kidneys?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Their color and size
   2. Their cost and country of origin
   3. Their use length and exact medical process
   4. Their connection to human kidneys
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Their use length and exact medical process

   The report specifically says it does not explain the exact medical process.

   It also does not provide details about how long the pig kidneys were used or explain the exact medical process.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What wider problem may this finding highlight?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. A shortage of patients
   2. The difficulty of providing enough kidneys
   3. A lack of hospital buildings
   4. The cost of news reporting
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The difficulty of providing enough kidneys

   The report connects the finding with the challenge of supplying needed kidneys.

   The finding may draw attention to the wider challenge of providing kidneys for patients who need them.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does the report say about how many people could benefit?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Exactly two people
   2. Millions of people
   3. All transplant patients
   4. It gives no number
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It gives no number

   The supplied report says this number is not provided.

   However, the supplied report gives no additional information about future treatments, the number of people who could benefit, or whether the approach is ready for common use.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which people are not identified in the report?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The patients’ families
   2. The medical team
   3. The news readers
   4. The hospital visitors
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The medical team

   The final sentence says the medical team is not identified.

   The report does not identify the medical team or provide further results from the patients.

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.