How U.S. Courts Handle Claims of Postpartum Psychosis
About this practice test
Listen to the B1 Daily News report “How U.S. Courts Handle Claims of Postpartum Psychosis” 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: How U.S. Courts Handle Claims of Postpartum Psychosis.
How U.S. Courts Handle Claims of Postpartum Psychosis
Read a transcript excerpt
A New York Times report looks at how courts in the United States have dealt with cases involving defendants who claim to have had postpartum psychosis. The report focuses on the legal question that follows such a claim: whether it meets the state’s definition of insanity. A defendant who makes this claim must meet that definition to be found not guilty. In other words, the claim alone is not enough…
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Question 1 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What does the claim need to produce a not-guilty finding?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A national medical rule
- The state’s legal standard
- A newspaper report
- A family statement
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- The state’s legal standard
The claim must satisfy the legal standard used by the relevant state.
It must fit the legal standard used by the state handling the case.
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Question 2 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What happens first after a defendant makes the claim?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- The case moves to another country.
- The court considers the legal definition.
- The defendant receives treatment.
- The state changes its law.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- The court considers the legal definition.
The court considers whether the claim meets the state’s insanity definition.
The report focuses on the legal question that follows such a claim: whether it meets the state’s definition of insanity.
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Question 3 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What must courts use when deciding these cases?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Their own state’s definition
- The defendant’s preferred definition
- A definition from another country
- A hospital’s private policy
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Their own state’s definition
Courts apply the definition belonging to their own state.
Courts must apply the definition used in their own state when deciding whether a defendant has met the requirement for a not-guilty finding.
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Question 4 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Why is the wording of state law important?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- It determines the court’s building.
- It shapes the legal test.
- It explains postpartum recovery.
- It selects the newspaper.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- It shapes the legal test.
The wording shapes the legal test available to the court.
This makes the wording of state law important in these cases.
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Question 5 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What result of different state rules does the speaker emphasize?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- All cases receive identical results.
- Location can affect the legal path.
- Only federal courts hear cases.
- Claims cannot be discussed in court.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Location can affect the legal path.
Similar claims may follow different legal paths in different states.
Because of this difference, the legal path for a defendant who raises a postpartum psychosis claim depends on where the case is being considered.
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.