Energy Agency Lowers World Oil Demand Forecast for the Year

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 article's main purpose?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. To explain a lower oil demand forecast and its causes
   2. To describe a final worldwide shortage of oil
   3. To compare several international energy agencies
   4. To recommend specific fuel policies to consumers
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To explain a lower oil demand forecast and its causes

   It explains why the agency expects weaker global oil demand.

   Its assessment links the war in Iran with a more difficult outlook for world oil demand this year.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “the change” in the second sentence refer to?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The war's location
   2. The lowered forecast
   3. The international oil trade
   4. The economic activity
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The lowered forecast

   The preceding sentence identifies the agency's lowered forecast.

   The agency says the change is connected to the war in Iran, which is contributing to higher fuel prices, limited oil supplies, and a deteriorating economic outlook.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What can be inferred about the forecast?

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   1. It will certainly remain unchanged
   2. It is based only on household spending
   3. It may change as circumstances develop
   4. It measures completed oil consumption
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It may change as circumstances develop

   The text presents it as a current judgment rather than certainty.

   The updated forecast does not describe a final result for the year.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   How does the article organize its explanation?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. By presenting a problem, causes, and broader implications
   2. By listing historical forecasts in chronological order
   3. By comparing two competing energy organizations
   4. By describing a conflict and proposing military action
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   By presenting a problem, causes, and broader implications

   It introduces the forecast, explains pressures, then discusses wider significance.

   Together, these conditions are shaping the agency’s assessment of global demand.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why might a deteriorating economic outlook reduce energy use?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It may reduce economic activity and related consumption
   2. It guarantees that fuel prices will fall
   3. It increases the amount of oil available
   4. It prevents companies from trading internationally
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It may reduce economic activity and related consumption

   Weaker economic activity generally lowers expectations for energy consumption.

   Limited oil supplies can increase uncertainty in the market, while a deteriorating economic outlook may reduce expectations for economic activity and energy use.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What practical role do forecasts have according to the article?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. They provide information for planning
   2. They establish final results for each year
   3. They eliminate uncertainty from markets
   4. They determine where conflicts will occur
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   They provide information for planning

   They give major groups information useful for preparing decisions.

   For governments, companies, and consumers, forecasts provide information for planning, although they can be revised as conditions develop.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What relationship does the conclusion emphasize?

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   1. The forecast reflects both energy and economic pressures
   2. The forecast depends only on international trade
   3. The conflict has ended and markets have stabilized
   4. Consumers are responsible for limiting oil supplies
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The forecast reflects both energy and economic pressures

   The conclusion connects energy pressure with wider economic concerns.

   The International Energy Agency’s lower estimate therefore reflects a combination of energy-market pressure and concern about the broader 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.