‘Life-threatening’ Hurricane Isaias Begins Affecting the Gulf Coast

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.

   When is landfall expected?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Thursday morning
   2. Friday night
   3. Saturday afternoon
   4. Sunday evening
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Friday night

   The narration gives Friday night as the expected time.

   The storm is described as a major hurricane, and landfall is expected Friday night.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What should people do after being told to leave?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Wait for normal travel conditions
   2. Return to the coastline
   3. Follow instructions and move safely
   4. Secure only their vehicles
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Follow instructions and move safely

   The recording says they should follow official instructions and move safely.

   People who are told to leave should follow official instructions and move to a safer location as soon as possible.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What mainly causes a storm surge?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Winds pushing water toward the coast
   2. Ordinary waves moving offshore
   3. Residents entering buildings
   4. Roads becoming difficult to travel
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Winds pushing water toward the coast

   The storm’s winds push water toward the coast, raising sea level.

   A storm surge is an abnormal rise in sea level caused mainly by a storm’s winds pushing water toward the coast.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which problem may storm surge create for travelers?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It can make normal travel unsafe
   2. It can confirm the landfall location
   3. It can reduce coastal flooding
   4. It can improve transportation plans
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It can make normal travel unsafe

   Flooded roads can make ordinary travel unsafe.

   It can cover roads, enter buildings, and make normal travel unsafe.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What should residents do with essential belongings?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Sell them before landfall
   2. Secure them before conditions worsen
   3. Move them into the sea
   4. Leave them unsecured for inspection
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Secure them before conditions worsen

   Preparation includes securing belongings before the storm approaches.

   Residents may need to monitor official updates, secure essential belongings, and make plans for transportation and shelter.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why might the advice differ between communities?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Communities have identical risks
   2. The storm has already passed everywhere
   3. Local effects may not be the same
   4. Only one community faces danger
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Local effects may not be the same

   The recording states that the storm’s exact effects can vary by community.

   The exact effects can vary from one community to another, but the period before landfall is important for preparation.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What overall result does the recording emphasize for Gulf Coast residents?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Official guidance will become less relevant
   2. Residents should ignore changing conditions
   3. Safety guidance is especially important now
   4. The storm’s final effects are confirmed
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Safety guidance is especially important now

   Following official advice becomes increasingly important as the storm nears land.

   For people near the Gulf Coast, following evacuation advice and other official safety guidance will be especially important as Isaias moves closer to land.

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.