Weddings are expensive. How about a grocery store cake

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 “practical” mean in the article?

   1. Useful and sensible for a particular situation or purpose.
   2. Rare and luxurious
   3. Complicated and artistic
   4. Temporary and uncertain
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Useful and sensible for a particular situation or purpose.

   The word describes an option that is sensible and useful.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is a “specialty” in this context?

   1. A particular product or service that a business is especially known for providing.
   2. A discount available to all customers
   3. A decoration used during a ceremony
   4. A rule governing wedding celebrations
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A particular product or service that a business is especially known for providing.

   Here, it identifies a product or service a baker especially provides.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “pleased” mean?

   1. Satisfied or happy about something that has happened or been received.
   2. Confused
   3. Disappointed
   4. Worried
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Satisfied or happy about something that has happened or been received.

   Anna was satisfied with the cake’s taste.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “overall” mean?

   1. Related to one small part
   2. Including all parts or aspects of something considered together.
   3. Limited to the wedding cake
   4. Connected only with the future
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Including all parts or aspects of something considered together.

   It refers to the complete wedding cost considered as a whole.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What is “inflation”?

   1. A decrease in consumer demand
   2. A general increase in prices that reduces the purchasing power of money.
   3. A reduction in business taxes
   4. A change in wedding traditions
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A general increase in prices that reduces the purchasing power of money.

   Inflation is a general rise in prices over time.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “preserve” mean in the final paragraph?

   1. To remove completely
   2. To keep something in its existing condition or form.
   3. To improve financially
   4. To replace gradually
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   To keep something in its existing condition or form.

   Couples preserve the centerpiece by keeping its traditional role or appearance.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “financial” relate to?

   1. Related to money, income, spending, or managing resources.
   2. Food preparation methods
   3. Social relationships
   4. Decorative design
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Related to money, income, spending, or managing resources.

   The adjective concerns money and spending decisions.

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.