An early start to flu season moves up vaccination timing

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

B2. 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 describe a confirmed cure for seasonal flu
   2. To explain an unusual flu pattern and its possible implications
   3. To compare vaccination systems in several countries
   4. To prove that a new variant caused the early season
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To explain an unusual flu pattern and its possible implications

   The article explains an unusual flu pattern and its possible implications.

   This year's flu season is showing an unusual pattern.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why might an early beginning leave people less prepared?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The virus becomes impossible to detect
   2. Regional calendars become identical
   3. People have less time to prepare
   4. Vaccinations immediately lose all value
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   People have less time to prepare

   An earlier start reduces the time available for people to prepare.

   When activity starts sooner than expected, people may have less time to prepare.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “Their timing” refer to?

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   1. Flu seasons’ timing
   2. People’s vaccination records
   3. Regional health guidelines
   4. The variant’s mutations
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   Answer

   Flu seasons’ timing

   The pronoun refers to the timing of flu seasons.

   Their timing can vary by region, and an early beginning may affect how people think about protection.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What can be inferred about the variant’s mutation?

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   1. It guarantees severe illness
   2. It may complicate immune recognition
   3. It prevents regional spread
   4. It confirms the season’s final outcome
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   Answer

   It may complicate immune recognition

   The mutation could make immune recognition more difficult.

   If a virus changes in ways that make recognition more difficult, public-health experts need to watch its behavior carefully.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why does the article mention that the West’s activity may not predict elsewhere?

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   1. To show regional evidence has limits
   2. To identify the country involved
   3. To explain why vaccination is unnecessary
   4. To reject all monitoring efforts
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   Answer

   To show regional evidence has limits

   The statement limits broad conclusions from one region’s experience.

   The West's early activity does not necessarily predict how the season will progress elsewhere, but it has already changed the usual starting point for this year's discussion about flu protection.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which development has changed the usual starting point for discussion?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. A confirmed treatment shortage
   2. The West’s early flu activity
   3. A national vaccination law
   4. A change in public-health funding
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The West’s early flu activity

   Early Western activity shifted the discussion about flu protection.

   The West's early activity does not necessarily predict how the season will progress elsewhere, but it has already changed the usual starting point for this year's discussion about flu protection.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is the article’s cautious attitude toward the mutation?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Completely dismissive
   2. Certain and celebratory
   3. Cautious and provisional
   4. Strongly opposed to vaccination
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Cautious and provisional

   The article presents the mutation as possible evidence, not a proven cause.

   They indicate only that the variant may be playing a role.

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.