Union Electricians Welcome Data Center Boom Despite Community Opposition

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 how data centers are designed
   2. To present conflicting effects of data center construction
   3. To criticize union electricians’ working conditions
   4. To compare different digital services
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To present conflicting effects of data center construction

   It presents economic benefits alongside community opposition to data center construction.

   The expansion represents an important economic opportunity.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why does the article mention digital infrastructure?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. To show why skilled trades matter economically
   2. To identify the locations of new facilities
   3. To explain why overtime is decreasing
   4. To describe modern electrical equipment
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To show why skilled trades matter economically

   It connects electricians’ work to wider systems supporting modern businesses.

   The demand also highlights the role of skilled trades in the development of the digital infrastructure used by modern businesses and services.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “Their efforts” refer to?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Electricians’ efforts to find employment
   2. Companies’ efforts to provide digital services
   3. Communities’ efforts to oppose construction
   4. Unions’ efforts to increase overtime
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Communities’ efforts to oppose construction

   The phrase refers to communities’ attempts to stop new data centers.

   Their efforts mean that projects offering work to electricians can become part of difficult local debates.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What can be inferred about unions?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. They are completely opposed to data centers
   2. They face no disagreement with residents
   3. They benefit while facing a social dilemma
   4. They control all construction decisions
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   They benefit while facing a social dilemma

   Unions benefit economically but must respond to communities connected to projects.

   The situation places unions in a complicated position.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   How is the article organized?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Chronologically, from past projects to future projects
   2. By presenting benefits, conflict, and broader consequences
   3. By comparing two unrelated industries
   4. By describing technical processes in detail
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   By presenting benefits, conflict, and broader consequences

   It moves from worker benefits to opposition, broader implications, and future conditions.

   The conflict illustrates how one industry’s expansion can produce both opportunity and resistance at the same time.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What relationship exists between construction activity and electricians’ employment?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Construction reduces electricians’ available hours
   2. Construction increases employment opportunities
   3. Construction eliminates the need for skilled trades
   4. Construction shifts electricians into office jobs
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Construction increases employment opportunities

   More construction activity creates steadier work and additional hours.

   More construction activity can provide steady employment and allow electricians to work additional hours.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which contrast is central to the article?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Technical planning versus business investment
   2. Modern services versus traditional businesses
   3. Worker support versus community opposition
   4. Employment growth versus reduced overtime
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Worker support versus community opposition

   Workers welcome growth, while many communities resist the same development.

   NPR’s report presents the issue through the experience of union electricians, whose support for the boom contrasts with opposition to new construction in many communities.

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.