Just short of its 200th birthday, a landmark natural history museum shuts down

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.

   Which option best defines “institution” as used in the article?

   1. An established organization created for a particular purpose
   2. A temporary gathering held outdoors
   3. A financial payment made by visitors
   4. A scientific object displayed in a case
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   An established organization created for a particular purpose

   An institution is an established organization serving a particular purpose.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which option best defines “displays” as used in the article?

   1. Arrangements of objects presented for people to examine
   2. Buildings designed exclusively for university classes
   3. Written requests signed by community members
   4. Measurements of yearly visitor numbers
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Arrangements of objects presented for people to examine

   Displays are arranged objects presented for people to examine.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which option best defines “collection” as used in the article?

   1. A group of objects gathered and kept together
   2. A public argument about an institution’s future
   3. A sudden increase in monthly expenses
   4. A schedule of changing family activities
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A group of objects gathered and kept together

   A collection is a group of objects gathered and kept together.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which option best defines “petition” as used in the article?

   1. A formal written request signed by many people
   2. A collection of rare scientific specimens
   3. A reduction in the number of visitors
   4. A public exhibition about natural history
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A formal written request signed by many people

   A petition is a formal request supported by multiple signatures.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which option best defines “attendance” as used in the article?

   1. The number of people who attend an event or place
   2. The income earned from selling admission tickets
   3. The responsibility for maintaining a university
   4. The age of an organization’s oldest building
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The number of people who attend an event or place

   Attendance means the number of people attending an event or place.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which option best defines “revenue” as used in the article?

   1. income received by an organization, especially from its activities
   2. A formal complaint about a museum’s closure
   3. The number of scientific objects in storage
   4. A period when visitors receive free admission
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   income received by an organization, especially from its activities

   Revenue is income received from an organization’s activities.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which option best defines “declining” as used in the article?

   1. Becoming lower, weaker, or less successful
   2. Growing rapidly because of public attention
   3. Remaining stable over an extended period
   4. Moving objects from one exhibition to another
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Becoming lower, weaker, or less successful

   Declining describes something becoming lower, weaker, or less successful.

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.