Special education teacher shortage leaves schools searching for more support

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 “advocate” as used in the article?

   1. to publicly support or speak in favor of someone or something
   2. To measure academic progress
   3. To organize a school performance
   4. To avoid difficult decisions
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   to publicly support or speak in favor of someone or something

   The word means publicly supporting or speaking for someone.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. managing or finding a way through a difficult situation
   2. Performing music before an audience
   3. Teaching a class independently
   4. Leaving an organization permanently
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   managing or finding a way through a difficult situation

   Here, navigating means managing a challenging situation or environment.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. a situation in which there is not enough of something needed
   2. A sudden improvement in quality
   3. A formal educational requirement
   4. A group of experienced workers
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   a situation in which there is not enough of something needed

   A shortage occurs when there is not enough of something needed.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. organized help or support provided to people
   2. Personal academic achievements
   3. Government employment rules
   4. Difficult classroom behaviors
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   organized help or support provided to people

   Services are organized forms of help or support for people.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. kept apart from other people or groups
   2. Given additional responsibilities
   3. Trained for professional competition
   4. Recognized for outstanding achievement
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   kept apart from other people or groups

   Separated describes people who feel apart from others in a group.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. to find and persuade people to join an organization or profession
   2. To evaluate student performances
   3. To remove unnecessary responsibilities
   4. To explain a federal law
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   to find and persuade people to join an organization or profession

   To recruit means to find and persuade people to join an organization.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. the belief that you can succeed or perform well
   2. Concern about a staffing shortage
   3. Knowledge of federal regulations
   4. Distance from other school staff
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   the belief that you can succeed or perform well

   Confidence is belief in your ability to succeed or perform well.

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.