A bad year for the crypto industry just got a lot worse

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

B2. 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.

   What organization is identified as the source of the report?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The Senate
   2. NPR
   3. The cryptocurrency industry
   4. The source package
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   NPR

   The narration directly attributes the information to NPR.

   A bill that the sector strongly wanted to get through the Senate was defeated, according to NPR.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What had the industry placed considerable importance on?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The legislation
   2. Future prospects
   3. Political confidence
   4. A Senate hearing
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The legislation

   The industry had attached importance to the legislation.

   The result is a serious disappointment for an industry that had placed considerable importance on the legislation.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does the failed bill add to?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The Senate’s authority
   2. The industry’s difficulties
   3. The bill’s proposals
   4. The sector’s confidence
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The industry’s difficulties

   The report presents the bill as another difficulty during the year.

   The cryptocurrency industry lost an important Senate fight, and the defeat adds to its difficulties this year.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What might a defeat reduce?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Confidence in expected progress
   2. The number of Senate members
   3. The bill’s legal language
   4. The industry’s past achievements
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Confidence in expected progress

   The narration lists reduced confidence as one possible effect.

   A defeat can delay desired changes, reduce confidence in expected progress, and force industry participants to reconsider their plans.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What must happen before broader effects can be understood?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The sector must leave the Senate
   2. The bill must be rewritten immediately
   3. Future events must unfold
   4. NPR must publish the bill’s text
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Future events must unfold

   The narration says future developments will determine broader effects.

   The broader effects will depend on what happens next, but the event gives the sector another reason for concern during an already challenging period.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is not explained in the available account?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Whether the industry supported the bill
   2. Exactly how the defeat happened
   3. Whether the event affected the sector
   4. When the setback was reported
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Exactly how the defeat happened

   The account does not explain the precise process behind the defeat.

   The source does not provide further details about the bill or explain exactly how the Senate defeat happened.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does the event highlight about industries generally?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Industries never depend on politics
   2. Lawmakers’ decisions can affect industries
   3. Senate measures always pass eventually
   4. Political decisions mainly affect consumers
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Lawmakers’ decisions can affect industries

   The narration emphasizes that lawmakers’ decisions can affect industries.

   Like other industries, the sector can be affected when lawmakers do not approve measures that it supports.

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.