Federal Reserve raises benchmark interest rate to confront stubborn inflation

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

C1. 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 “benchmark” mean in the article?

   1. A standard or reference point against which other values or developments are measured.
   2. A temporary consumer subsidy
   3. A mandatory lending contract
   4. A measure of household income
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A standard or reference point against which other values or developments are measured.

   It denotes a reference point for determining borrowing costs.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “stubborn” mean in this context?

   1. Unexpectedly temporary
   2. Persistent and resistant to change, reduction, or removal.
   3. Legally disputed
   4. Precisely measured
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Persistent and resistant to change, reduction, or removal.

   It describes inflation that has remained difficult to reduce.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What are “consequences”?

   1. Underlying assumptions
   2. Official predictions
   3. The results or effects that follow an action or decision.
   4. Financial institutions
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The results or effects that follow an action or decision.

   They are effects that result from an action or decision.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “dimension” mean in the article?

   1. A particular aspect or practical side of a broader issue.
   2. A numerical forecast
   3. A legal restriction
   4. A geographic boundary
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A particular aspect or practical side of a broader issue.

   It identifies one practical aspect of a broader policy issue.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “associated” mean?

   1. Excluded from
   2. Connected with or linked to a particular person, thing, or circumstance.
   3. Calculated against
   4. Protected from
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Connected with or linked to a particular person, thing, or circumstance.

   It means connected with or linked to borrowing.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “illustrates” mean?

   1. Conceals
   2. Measures
   3. Demonstrates or makes a general idea clear through a particular example.
   4. Reverses
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Demonstrates or makes a general idea clear through a particular example.

   It shows or clarifies a broader idea through a specific example.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does “persistent” mean?

   1. Continuing for a long time despite attempts to change or resolve it.
   2. Occurring only once
   3. Caused by lenders
   4. Limited to one location
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Continuing for a long time despite attempts to change or resolve it.

   It describes pressure that continues over an extended period.

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.