Heat-related deaths rise sharply in Phoenix area after two years of decline

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 explain Phoenix’s weather history
   2. To report a rise in heat-related deaths
   3. To describe a medical examiner’s career
   4. To compare Arizona with other states
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To report a rise in heat-related deaths

   The article reports rising deaths, possible totals, causes, and public health concerns.

   Heat-related deaths in the Phoenix area have risen sharply this year after falling for two years.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What can readers infer about this year’s final death total?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It will certainly break the record
   2. It may be higher than confirmed now
   3. It has already reached 700
   4. It will probably fall below 275
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It may be higher than confirmed now

   The final total may rise because hundreds of cases remain under investigation.

   The final number is not yet known.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “those cases” refer to?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Previous records
   2. Extreme temperatures
   3. Additional deaths
   4. Local authorities
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Additional deaths

   The phrase refers to the additional deaths still being investigated.

   However, if many of those cases are confirmed, the total could pass 700.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why does the article mention the 2023 record?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. To explain the county’s population
   2. To provide historical comparison
   3. To identify the medical examiner
   4. To predict next year’s weather
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To provide historical comparison

   The record gives readers a standard for judging this year’s possible ranking.

   The county’s highest number of confirmed heat-related deaths in one year was 645, recorded in 2023.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   How is the article organized?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Problem, context, explanation, and importance
   2. Personal story, interview, and solution
   3. Weather forecast followed by travel advice
   4. Historical events listed by exact date
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Problem, context, explanation, and importance

   It presents current figures, past records, concerns, definitions, and implications.

   The figures show why health officials continue to watch heat conditions closely in the Phoenix region.

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.