Assumptions behind Public Decisions

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

C2. 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

Cloze (text)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word per gap: A review of a temporary coastal-path closure distinguished the information available to officials from facts established only after a later inspection. A decision can be reasonable on the evidence 1___ hand and still turn out badly. The outcome alone does not give sufficient grounds 2___ judging the reasoning defective. The reviewers asked whether the original reasoning was defensible without assuming that a disappointing outcome automatically proved an irrational choice.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   at

   Blank 2

   for

   At hand means available; grounds for takes the proposed judgement.

2. Question 2 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use infer and justify: The subsequent damage was more extensive than officials had predicted, and public criticism focused on the accuracy of that forecast. It is tempting 1___ (infer) incompetence from failure. Yet that inference requires 2___ (justify) independent of the outcome itself. A judgement about the quality of the decision required examining the reasons and alternatives available at the time, not simply reading the outcome backwards.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to infer

   Blank 2

   justification

   Tempting takes a to-infinitive; justification is the noun object of requires.

3. Question 3 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word per gap: Residents had accepted a temporary arrangement after being assured that new inspection findings would be considered. The policy was adopted on the understanding 1___ it would be reviewed. Treating it as irrevocable would run 2___ to that condition. The review distinguished a condition attached to the original agreement from a discretionary promise that officials might choose to ignore.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   that

   Blank 2

   counter / contrary

   On the understanding that states a condition; run counter to means conflict with.

4. Question 4 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use presume and explicit: One meeting record contained no objection, but it also contained no vote authorising a permanent change. The committee's silence was taken as 1___ (presume) consent. The rules, however, required authorisation to be 2___ (explicit). The absence of protest could not silently perform the work of a different procedure that the written rules had expressly required.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   presumed

   Blank 2

   explicit

   Presumed describes consent assumed rather than stated; explicit is the required adjective.

5. Question 5 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word per gap: The proposed restriction relied on the premise that visitors could still reach the shore by another practical route. The assumption is integral 1___ the argument, not an optional embellishment. If it is removed, the conclusion no longer follows 2___ the remaining premises. That premise needed examination because the argument for limiting access changed materially if no workable alternative was available.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to

   Blank 2

   from

   Integral to marks necessity; follow from indicates logical derivation.

6. Question 6 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use forms of PROPORTION and JUSTIFY: Officials invoked a legitimate need to protect visitors, while residents questioned whether the particular restriction went further than that need required. The response must be assessed for its 1___ (PROPORTION) to the risk. A legitimate aim does not by itself 2___ (JUSTIFY) every excessive demand. Accepting the aim did not settle whether every burden imposed in its name was necessary, appropriate or adequately explained.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   proportionality

   Blank 2

   justify

   Proportionality names the relation between the response and the risk. Does not takes base-form justify, meaning provide an adequate reason for.

7. Question 7 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word per gap: The revised procedure allowed an exceptional closure when ordinary measures could not address the documented problem. The exception applies only in the absence 1___ a viable alternative. That is a necessary condition, not a guarantee that exemption will be granted 2___ every such case. Stating that requirement precisely prevented a limited exception from being mistaken for an automatic permission whenever officials preferred a different arrangement.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   of

   Blank 2

   in

   Absence of takes the missing alternative; in every case marks application across cases.

8. Question 8 · Cloze (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use revise and qualify: The review ended by recommending a process that could distinguish settled requirements from provisional assessments of particular conditions. An institution can remain open to 1___ (revise) without treating all decisions as equally uncertain. The degree of 2___ (qualify) should reflect the strength of the evidence. Willingness to reconsider a judgement was presented as a way to improve accountability, rather than as a declaration that no judgement could ever be relied upon.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   revision / revising

   Blank 2

   qualification

   Open to takes a noun or ing form; qualification names the limitation of a claim.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

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.