Scientists Move Toward a New Way to Keep Official Time
Practice B2 English reading with 7 questions based on the Daily News article “Scientists Move Toward a New Way to Keep Official Time”.
About this practice test
Practice B2 English reading with 7 questions based on the Daily News article “Scientists Move Toward a New Way to Keep Official Time”.
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:
7 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
- 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.
News lesson for this practice
Read the complete article and use its text or audio alongside these exercises: Scientists Move Toward a New Way to Keep Official Time.
Scientists Move Toward a New Way to Keep Official Time
Scientists have voted to change how the world keeps official time, although most people are unlikely to notice the difference. The decision concerns the small gap between highly precise clocks and the Earth's natural rotation. A full turn of the Earth is often described as 24 hours. In reality, the planet's spin changes slightly, and it has slowed down by a very small amount. As a result, one rotation can…
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Question 1 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What is the article's main purpose?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- To explain a proposed change in official timekeeping
- To describe the history of mechanical watches
- To compare scientific institutions in Europe
- To argue that daily schedules should change
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- To explain a proposed change in official timekeeping
The article explains why timekeeping standards may change and what the change means.
The decision shows how scientists continue to adapt measurement standards to the natural world.
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Question 2 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What can be inferred about the Earth's rotation?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- It is perfectly regular throughout the year
- It varies enough to affect precise timekeeping
- It is controlled by modern quartz clocks
- It has recently become faster than before
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- It varies enough to affect precise timekeeping
The article indicates that the rotation varies slightly rather than remaining constant.
In reality, the planet's spin changes slightly, and it has slowed down by a very small amount.
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Question 3 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
In the third paragraph, what does “that system” refer to?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Using leap seconds
- Measuring scientific temperature
- Holding meetings in Versailles
- Comparing two different watches
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Using leap seconds
The phrase refers to the system of adding extra seconds to official time.
Since 1972, timekeepers have used leap seconds to deal with this difference.
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Question 4 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Why does the article mention two watches?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- To illustrate how a time difference develops
- To prove that old watches are inaccurate
- To explain why watches need batteries
- To show that quartz watches are expensive
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- To illustrate how a time difference develops
The comparison makes the relationship between natural and official time easier to understand.
If the two watches gradually move apart, one must be corrected to follow the other.
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Question 5 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What relationship does the final paragraph establish?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- The change matters technically but little socially
- The change will disrupt most personal schedules
- Scientific measurements no longer need accuracy
- Ordinary clocks will soon become unnecessary
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- The change matters technically but little socially
It contrasts technical importance with minimal effects on ordinary daily activities.
Yet precise time is important for scientific measurement and technical systems.
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Question 6 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Which sequence best describes the proposed adjustment?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Leap seconds are replaced by a longer adjustment period
- Quartz clocks are replaced by mechanical watches
- Official time is separated from Earth's rotation
- Daily meetings are moved to different time zones
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Leap seconds are replaced by a longer adjustment period
The article moves from frequent leap seconds toward a longer adjustment period.
They introduced the concept of a leap hour, allowing much more time to pass before an adjustment is made.
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Question 7 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What limitation of the decision is emphasized?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Its effects may be invisible in everyday life
- It can only be used by private companies
- It prevents scientists from measuring rotation
- It applies only to clocks made before 1972
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Its effects may be invisible in everyday life
The article says the change may improve systems without affecting ordinary routines.
Most people are unlikely to notice the difference.
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.