Susan Collins Is Always Keeping Score
About this practice test
Practice B1 English reading with 5 questions based on the Daily News article “Susan Collins Is Always Keeping Score”.
What you’ll practice
Finding detail
Locate specific information and evidence.
Interpreting ideas
Connect main points and inferences.
Evaluating arguments
Assess claims, evidence, and limitations.
What to expect:
5 questions with explanations to review after submission.
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.
News lesson for this practice
Read the complete article and use its text or audio alongside these exercises: Susan Collins Is Always Keeping Score.
Susan Collins Is Always Keeping Score
Susan Collins, a long-serving senator, has delivered millions of dollars to communities across Maine. The support has reached every corner of the state, making her an important figure in many local areas. But Collins’s influence is not described only in terms of money. In Maine, people say it is best to avoid getting on her bad side. That suggests that many people pay close attention to her relationships and opinions,…
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Question 1 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What is the main idea of the article?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Collins has left public life in Maine.
- Collins combines community support with strong personal influence.
- Maine communities reject all political connections.
- Collins mainly makes official decisions in Washington.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Collins combines community support with strong personal influence.
The article presents Collins’s financial support and personal political influence.
The senator’s role, as described in the report, is therefore both practical and personal: she has helped bring millions of dollars to communities, while people continue to consider the possible cost of crossing her.
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Question 2 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What does “That” refer to in the second paragraph?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Collins’s long service as a senator
- The support reaching every corner
- The idea of avoiding her bad side
- The delivery of millions of dollars
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- The idea of avoiding her bad side
“That” refers to avoiding Collins’s bad side.
That suggests that many people pay close attention to her relationships and opinions, especially when political disagreements arise.
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Question 3 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Why does the article mention Collins’s long service?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- To explain why she has many statewide connections
- To show that she plans to retire soon
- To compare her with other senators
- To describe her education and early career
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- To explain why she has many statewide connections
Long service helps explain her wide connections and lasting influence.
A long-serving senator often becomes familiar to local leaders and residents.
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Question 4 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What can readers infer about Collins’s political reputation?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- It is based only on her public speeches.
- It is completely separate from her community support.
- It includes concern about remembered political conflicts.
- It has recently disappeared across Maine.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- It includes concern about remembered political conflicts.
People believe conflicts with her may affect them for a long time.
In Collins’s case, the combination of statewide support and a reputation for remembering conflicts has made her a powerful presence in Maine.
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Question 5 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
How is the article organized?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- It gives a timeline of Collins’s entire career.
- It presents two connected sides of Collins’s role.
- It compares Maine with another state.
- It lists several unrelated political events.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- It presents two connected sides of Collins’s role.
It first describes money, then explains personal influence and its effects.
The result is a public image with two parts.
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.