Has the economy gone C-shaped

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

B1. 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 passage for its main idea, then return to the relevant sentence or paragraph for each question. Base answers on the passage.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is the main purpose of the article?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. To compare two ways of describing the economy
   2. To explain how NPR makes economic predictions
   3. To prove that poor people are becoming richer
   4. To describe the history of the letter C
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To compare two ways of describing the economy

   It compares two economic pictures and explains why people may see different patterns.

   Instead, it compares the two views and asks listeners to think about what they are paying attention to.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What can readers infer about the two economic shapes?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. They are exact economic measurements
   2. They are images used to discuss economic relationships
   3. They describe two different countries
   4. They show changes in interest rates
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   They are images used to discuss economic relationships

   The shapes are images that help people discuss changes between rich and poor groups.

   The two letters offer different ways to think about how rich and poor people are doing.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   In paragraph four, what does “This” refer to?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The return toward one another
   2. The distance between groups
   3. NPR hearing both descriptions
   4. The letter C's shape
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   NPR hearing both descriptions

   “This” refers to NPR hearing arguments for both descriptions.

   NPR hears the case for both descriptions.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why does the article mention where someone focuses attention?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. To explain different views of the economy
   2. To identify the article's location
   3. To describe a person's job
   4. To compare two cities
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To explain different views of the economy

   It explains why the same economy may appear different to different people.

   The discussion suggests that the same economy can look different depending on where someone focuses attention.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   How is the article organized?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It lists economic statistics in time order
   2. It presents one opinion and rejects another
   3. It explains both ideas before asking readers to consider them
   4. It tells a personal story before giving advice
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It explains both ideas before asking readers to consider them

   It introduces the question, explains each shape, and then compares the views.

   The question is therefore simple to ask but harder to answer: Which letter best describes the economy?

What to review next

Find the words that support each answer. For a mistake, compare the question with the evidence and identify the detail or inference you missed.

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

Look for evidence in the text. Separate what the writer says from what you already know about the topic.

The library normally closes at six, but on Fridays it stays open until eight. When does it close on Friday?

The answer is eight. But introduces an exception to the normal closing time, so the first time mentioned is not the answer.

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.