NPR asks whether Patagonia could become a new data center hub

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 prove Patagonia is already a major technology center
   2. To explain a possible business development without confirming it
   3. To describe a completed construction project in Patagonia
   4. To compare several countries’ data center industries
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To explain a possible business development without confirming it

   It explains the report’s question and its limits.

   The central fact is therefore the question raised by NPR’s coverage: why might Patagonia become important to the data center business?

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What can readers infer about the possible project?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It has already created many jobs
   2. It has received confirmed investment
   3. Its basic details remain unknown
   4. Its construction is nearly complete
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Its basic details remain unknown

   The article gives no confirmed project details.

   There are no supplied facts about construction, investment, jobs, or the size of any possible project.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “It” refer to in the third paragraph?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The possible project
   2. The data center hub
   3. The area
   4. The report
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The report

   The pronoun refers to the report’s missing information.

   It also does not identify a country, a specific site, companies involved, costs, or a timetable.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why does the article define a data center hub?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. To explain an important term
   2. To identify a specific location
   3. To announce a new company
   4. To describe construction work
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To explain an important term

   The definition helps readers understand the business term.

   A data center hub would be a place linked to several data centers.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   How is the article organized?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It lists jobs before introducing the report
   2. It presents a question, limits, and a careful conclusion
   3. It gives a timetable and then reports project results
   4. It compares Patagonia with established hubs
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It presents a question, limits, and a careful conclusion

   It moves from the question to missing details and cautious conclusions.

   For now, readers should understand the story as an examination of a possible business development.

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.