New Mexico’s Alien Throne Rock Formation Collapses After Heavy Rain

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 happened to Alien Throne after the heavy rain?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It collapsed.
   2. It became taller.
   3. It was moved to another location.
   4. It was covered with loose material.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It collapsed.

   The narration directly states the result of the rain.

   Alien Throne, an oddly shaped rock pillar in New Mexico, has collapsed after a torrent of rain.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   How many rock formations had recently been lost in the region, including this one?

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   1. Two.
   2. One.
   3. Three.
   4. Fifteen.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Two.

   The recording calls this the second loss within less than a month.

   Its collapse marks the second loss of a striking rock formation in the region in less than a month.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What could happen when a familiar landscape feature collapses?

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   1. Visitors may no longer see it in its former form.
   2. The surrounding terrain necessarily becomes more stable.
   3. A new pillar immediately forms in its place.
   4. The feature’s original name becomes officially known.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Visitors may no longer see it in its former form.

   The stated result is a changed landscape and lost visibility.

   When such a feature collapses, the landscape changes, and visitors may no longer be able to see it in its former form.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which detail about the collapse was not provided?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The exact date and specific location.
   2. The pillar’s height and general state.
   3. The broad region where it stood.
   4. The recent sequence of formation losses.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The exact date and specific location.

   The recording leaves both precise location and date unspecified.

   The specific location and the exact date of the collapse have not been stated.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What can happen to loose material when rain runs over rock?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It may be carried away.
   2. It always becomes part of a new pillar.
   3. It may cause the rain to stop.
   4. It is confirmed to have caused this collapse.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It may be carried away.

   The recording identifies carrying material away as one possible effect.

   In general, rain can affect exposed rock by running over its surface, carrying loose material away, or adding pressure to weakened areas.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does the recording say visitors may lose when a landmark falls?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The chance to see the feature as it looked before.
   2. The ability to visit the surrounding terrain.
   3. All knowledge about the landmark’s name.
   4. The opportunity to observe rain in the region.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The chance to see the feature as it looked before.

   They may lose access to its earlier visible form.

   When such a feature collapses, the landscape changes, and visitors may no longer be able to see it in its former form.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What qualification does the recording make about the effect of a single storm?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Its effect can differ from one place to another.
   2. It always has the same effect on every landmark.
   3. Its effect is permanent once a storm has passed.
   4. It only changes landscapes in New Mexico.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Its effect can differ from one place to another.

   The effect is described as varying across locations.

   Rain is one part of the ongoing change that affects the natural world, although a single storm’s effect can vary from place to place.

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.