Chicago River Bridge Stays Raised for More Than Four Hours, Disrupting Downtown Traffic

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 “routine” mean in the article?

   1. usual and not unexpected
   2. dangerous and poorly planned
   3. expensive and highly technical
   4. temporary and difficult to repeat
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   usual and not unexpected

   Routine describes something usual and not unexpected.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “disruption” mean in the article?

   1. a planned transportation improvement
   2. a situation that interrupts normal activity
   3. a disagreement between city departments
   4. a structure designed to control traffic
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   a situation that interrupts normal activity

   A disruption interrupts normal activity or movement.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “extended” mean in the article?

   1. continuing for longer than expected
   2. moving in several different directions
   3. happening before a scheduled event
   4. requiring several separate vehicles
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   continuing for longer than expected

   Extended describes something lasting longer than expected.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “infrastructure” mean in the article?

   1. the basic systems and structures supporting a community
   2. the rules governing boat passengers
   3. the private companies operating city buses
   4. the temporary signs placed near construction
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   the basic systems and structures supporting a community

   Infrastructure includes essential systems and structures supporting a community.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “competing” mean in the article?

   1. developing at exactly the same speed
   2. opposing because they require the same limited resources
   3. working together toward one transportation goal
   4. appearing unexpectedly during severe weather
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   opposing because they require the same limited resources

   Competing demands conflict because they require the same limited resources.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “barrier” mean in the article?

   1. something that blocks movement or makes progress difficult
   2. a device that measures river depth
   3. a roadway reserved for emergency vehicles
   4. a procedure for reopening a bridge
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   something that blocks movement or makes progress difficult

   A barrier blocks movement or makes progress difficult.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “consequences” mean in the article?

   1. instructions provided before an activity
   2. results that follow an action or event
   3. arguments about transportation priorities
   4. repairs completed during an emergency
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   results that follow an action or event

   Consequences are results that follow an action or event.

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.