See how Big Tech is transforming Spain's landscape

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 do excavators do at the construction sites?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. They transport residents to nearby villages
   2. They reshape land for large data centers
   3. They measure the region's annual rainfall
   4. They remove data from digital services
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   They reshape land for large data centers

   The sentence describes excavators physically reshaping the land for construction.

   Excavators are reshaping the land for large data centers, which store and process the information needed by digital services.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which companies besides Amazon are mentioned as developing facilities?

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   1. Google and Apple
   2. Microsoft and Blackstone
   3. Meta and Netflix
   4. Tesla and IBM
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Microsoft and Blackstone

   The recording specifically names Microsoft and Blackstone as additional developers.

   Microsoft and asset management company Blackstone have also reached agreements to develop facilities there.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does Eva Valle admit about the new economy?

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   1. Its activities can already be predicted exactly
   2. It will eliminate every environmental concern
   3. Its activities are uncertain, but she expects them
   4. It will prevent companies from creating jobs
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Its activities are uncertain, but she expects them

   She acknowledges uncertainty while expressing confidence that new activities will appear.

   Eva Valle, the regional government's economic counsellor, said that it is difficult to predict all the activities this new economy may generate, but she expects them to arrive.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What two resources do data centers significantly require?

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   1. Land and transport
   2. Energy and water
   3. Workers and farmland
   4. Steel and sunlight
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Energy and water

   The recording identifies energy and water as major operational requirements.

   Aragon is already suffering from drought, while data centers require significant amounts of energy and water to operate.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What may the developments change besides producing an environmental crisis?

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   1. The character of local communities
   2. The location of Spain's capital
   3. The language spoken in Aragon
   4. The size of American football fields
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The character of local communities

   The recording says local communities' character could also be altered.

   Many residents and activist groups say the developments could produce an environmental crisis and alter the character of local communities.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What are some countries beginning to do about data center growth?

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   1. They are subsidizing every new facility
   2. They are introducing rules to limit growth
   3. They are moving all facilities to Virginia
   4. They are banning artificial intelligence research
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   They are introducing rules to limit growth

   The recording notes that some countries are introducing limits on expansion.

   The debate is taking place as some countries introduce rules to limit data center growth.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does the recording identify as the long-term issue for Aragon?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Whether residents will learn computer programming
   2. Whether Amazon will leave the United States
   3. How development will affect its landscape and inhabitants
   4. How Virginia manages its football fields
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   How development will affect its landscape and inhabitants

   The conclusion focuses on lasting effects on the landscape and people living there.

   The region must therefore balance possible economic benefits with concerns about water, energy, and the long-term impact on its landscape and inhabitants.

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.