First-Time Homebuyers Are Scarce, but More Are Paying Cash

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 “median” mean in the article?

   1. The middle value in a group of numbers when they are put in order.
   2. The highest value in a group of numbers.
   3. The average amount of money someone earns.
   4. The total number of people in a group.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The middle value in a group of numbers when they are put in order.

   A median is the middle value in an ordered group.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is an “inheritance”?

   1. Money or property that someone receives from a person who has died.
   2. Money borrowed from a bank to buy a home.
   3. A regular payment made for renting a home.
   4. A list of things someone plans to purchase.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Money or property that someone receives from a person who has died.

   An inheritance is money or property received after someone dies.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What are “assets”?

   1. Things of value that a person owns, such as money or property.
   2. Bills that a person must pay each month.
   3. Plans for spending money in the future.
   4. People who help someone choose a home.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Things of value that a person owns, such as money or property.

   Assets are valuable things that a person owns.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   In the article, what does “upfront” mean?

   1. At the beginning, before the rest of a payment is made.
   2. After several years of regular payments.
   3. In a private place away from other people.
   4. At a lower price than expected.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   At the beginning, before the rest of a payment is made.

   It describes payment made at the beginning.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is a “mortgage”?

   1. A loan used to buy a home, usually paid back over many years.
   2. A payment made to a seller for repairs.
   3. Money saved for daily household costs.
   4. A document showing who owns a home.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A loan used to buy a home, usually paid back over many years.

   A mortgage is a loan used to buy a home.

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.