New Mexico’s Alien Throne Rock Formation Collapses After Heavy Rain

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.

   In the article, what does “distinctive” mean?

   1. Having a quality or appearance that makes someone or something easy to recognize.
   2. Likely to change without warning.
   3. Located far from other places.
   4. Made from several separate materials.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Having a quality or appearance that makes someone or something easy to recognize.

   The word describes a feature that makes something stand out.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which meaning best matches “torrent” in the article?

   1. A large, fast-moving amount of something, especially water or rain.
   2. A gentle and steady supply of water.
   3. A short period without any rain.
   4. A narrow path cut into a rock.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A large, fast-moving amount of something, especially water or rain.

   Here, it refers to a large, forceful amount of rain.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “formation” mean in this article?

   1. A natural or created arrangement of parts that has a particular shape or structure.
   2. A sudden change in weather conditions.
   3. A group of people traveling together.
   4. A layer of soil covering the ground.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A natural or created arrangement of parts that has a particular shape or structure.

   It names the natural structure that collapsed.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “striking” mean when describing a rock formation?

   1. Unusually noticeable or impressive because of its appearance or effect.
   2. Likely to remain unchanged for a long time.
   3. Difficult to reach because of its location.
   4. Recently studied by a group of experts.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Unusually noticeable or impressive because of its appearance or effect.

   The adjective emphasizes how noticeable or impressive it is.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “exposed” mean in the phrase “exposed rock”?

   1. Open to the effects of weather or other outside forces.
   2. Covered by a layer of loose material.
   3. Protected from changes in the surrounding environment.
   4. Formed recently through human activity.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Open to the effects of weather or other outside forces.

   The rock is open to weather and other outside forces.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   In context, what does “established” mean?

   1. Known or accepted as true based on available information or evidence.
   2. Described in a memorable or imaginative way.
   3. Made permanent through repeated use.
   4. Changed gradually over a long period.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Known or accepted as true based on available information or evidence.

   The article says the particular cause has not been confirmed.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “permanent” mean in the article?

   1. Continuing to exist or remain without an expected end.
   2. Appearing briefly and then disappearing.
   3. Changing in response to outside conditions.
   4. Easy to remember because of its unusual form.
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Continuing to exist or remain without an expected end.

   The word describes something expected to continue without an end.

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.