‘Fire amoeba’ sets a new thermal limit for complex life

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

C2. 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.

   According to the report, what happens at 145°F?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The amoeba becomes immobile.
   2. The amoeba reproduces.
   3. The amoeba changes category.
   4. The amoeba briefly survives.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The amoeba reproduces.

   The transcript explicitly associates this temperature with reproduction.

   At 145°F, the fire amoeba can reproduce; at 147°F, it can still move.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What happens at the higher reported temperature?

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   1. It remains capable of motion.
   2. It begins producing new individuals.
   3. It reaches reproductive maturity.
   4. It becomes biologically inactive.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It remains capable of motion.

   The higher temperature is associated with continued movement.

   Movement at 147°F means that it remains capable of motion at a slightly higher temperature.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does the report say about the discovery’s location?

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   1. It was found in a volcanic lake.
   2. It was studied in a laboratory.
   3. The location is not specified.
   4. It was discovered underground.
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   Answer

   The location is not specified.

   The narration explicitly states that the location was not specified.

   The verified story package does not specify where the species was found or studied, and it provides no additional details about its biology.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is the immediate consequence of the measurements together?

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   1. They establish a biological record.
   2. They identify the species’ habitat.
   3. They prove indefinite survival.
   4. They eliminate the need for further study.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   They establish a biological record.

   Together, the measurements establish a record for complex eukaryotic life.

   Together, those measurements establish a record for complex eukaryotic life.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which sequence does the recording present?

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   1. Name, location, habitat, extinction
   2. Discovery, measurements, interpretation, limitation
   3. Reproduction, taxonomy, migration, adaptation
   4. Publication, experiment, controversy, resolution
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   Answer

   Discovery, measurements, interpretation, limitation

   The report first introduces the finding, then explains its two measurements.

   Scientists have identified a species they have named the fire amoeba, a discovery that pushes the known thermal boundary of complex life.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why does the recording call the account precise?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It supplies the organism’s complete biology.
   2. It distinguishes two functional thresholds.
   3. It describes the discovery’s exact location.
   4. It compares several unrelated species.
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   Answer

   It distinguishes two functional thresholds.

   It identifies separate thresholds for reproduction and movement.

   It identifies one threshold for reproduction and another for movement, offering a precise account of how the species functions under intense heat.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does the phrase “those facts” refer to?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The name and classification
   2. The location and publication date
   3. Reproduction at 145°F and movement at 147°F
   4. The record and the missing biological details
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   Answer

   Reproduction at 145°F and movement at 147°F

   It refers to the two stated temperature-specific abilities.

   At 145°F, the fire amoeba can reproduce; at 147°F, it can still move.

8. Question 8 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What emphasis does the conclusion place on the discovery?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It is primarily geographically important.
   2. It undermines all temperature measurements.
   3. It questions assumed limits of complex life.
   4. It confirms that reproduction exceeds movement.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It questions assumed limits of complex life.

   The final sentence emphasizes its challenge to assumptions about complex life’s upper limits.

   The discovery consequently challenges assumptions about the upper limits of what such life can do.

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.