Archaeologists race to save artifacts in Alaska after storm damage

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

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 “remnants” mean in the article?

   1. the remaining parts of something after most of it has disappeared or been damaged
   2. future plans
   3. official warnings
   4. hidden materials
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   the remaining parts of something after most of it has disappeared or been damaged

   Remnants are remaining parts left after something has been damaged or reduced.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “infrastructure” refer to?

   1. the basic systems and structures needed for a community to function
   2. private historical collections
   3. temporary weather forecasts
   4. archaeological writing techniques
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   the basic systems and structures needed for a community to function

   Infrastructure means essential systems and structures supporting a community.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “preservation” mean here?

   1. the act of protecting something so it remains available or useful
   2. destroying damaged materials
   3. moving people away from storms
   4. recording a weather event
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   the act of protecting something so it remains available or useful

   Preservation involves protecting objects so they remain available for future study.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “additional” mean in the second paragraph?

   1. extra or more than what already exists
   2. temporary
   3. unrelated
   4. unavoidable
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   extra or more than what already exists

   Additional means extra risk beyond the danger already present.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is an “urgent priority”?

   1. something considered more important than other matters
   2. a completed historical investigation
   3. a place with no remaining danger
   4. a general description of infrastructure
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   something considered more important than other matters

   An urgent priority is a matter requiring immediate attention before less important matters.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “vulnerable” describe?

   1. easily harmed, damaged, or affected
   2. carefully documented
   3. recently discovered
   4. fully protected
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   easily harmed, damaged, or affected

   A vulnerable site can be easily harmed by another storm or other danger.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “examination” mean in the final sentence?

   1. careful study or inspection of something
   2. rapid transportation
   3. public construction
   4. weather prediction
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   careful study or inspection of something

   Examination means careful study of evidence by researchers.

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.