Fed Keeps Interest Rates Steady as Inflation Remains High

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

B1. 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

Use the surrounding sentence to identify the meaning and word form needed. Check which words naturally go together.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “benchmark” mean in the article?

   1. A standard used for comparison or measurement
   2. A person traveling by ship
   3. A legal decision by a judge
   4. A sudden rise in fuel prices
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A standard used for comparison or measurement

   A benchmark is a standard used for comparison or measurement.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “elevated” mean in the article?

   1. Higher than normal
   2. Ready for travel
   3. Officially announced
   4. Difficult to understand
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Higher than normal

   Elevated describes something higher than normal.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “stubborn” mean in the article?

   1. Difficult to change, stop, or deal with
   2. Lower than usual
   3. Easy to borrow
   4. Connected with travel
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Difficult to change, stop, or deal with

   Stubborn describes something difficult to change or deal with.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “overseeing” mean in the article?

   1. Managing or watching an activity or process
   2. Leaving a country quickly
   3. Paying for a ticket
   4. Raising a price suddenly
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Managing or watching an activity or process

   Overseeing means managing or watching an activity or process.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “stranded” mean in the article?

   1. Unable to leave a place or continue a journey
   2. Able to change plans easily
   3. Chosen to lead a court
   4. Expected to lower prices
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Unable to leave a place or continue a journey

   Stranded travelers cannot leave a place or continue their journey.

What to review next

Keep a short list of unfamiliar words with their meanings and example sentences. Practise recalling them later, then use them in a sentence of your own.

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

Read the whole sentence before choosing a word. Check both its meaning and the words it naturally combines with.

Please make an appointment before visiting the clinic.

Make an appointment is a natural word combination. Knowing a dictionary meaning alone may not tell you which verb fits.

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.