The Holei Sea Arch, a Centuries-Old Hawaii Wonder, Crumbles Into the Pacific

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.

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

   1. broke apart into smaller pieces or completely lost its structure
   2. Moved gradually toward a deeper part of the ocean
   3. Became harder through prolonged volcanic heating
   4. Was deliberately removed by conservation workers
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   broke apart into smaller pieces or completely lost its structure

   The word describes the arch breaking apart and losing its coherent structure.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. Located beneath a protective layer of sediment
   2. left open to the effects of weather or other external forces
   3. Elevated above the surrounding shoreline
   4. Separated from the coast by human construction
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   left open to the effects of weather or other external forces

   Here, exposed formations directly experience weather and other external forces.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. Was repeatedly reconstructed by local authorities
   2. continued to exist or function despite difficulty or damaging conditions
   3. Changed rapidly in response to a single wave
   4. Was temporarily hidden by storm clouds
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   continued to exist or function despite difficulty or damaging conditions

   The feature continued to exist for centuries despite damaging conditions.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. becomes firm or solid, especially after changing from a liquid state
   2. Expands when subjected to salt water
   3. Breaks into particles under extreme pressure
   4. Moves upward through an opening in the crust
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   becomes firm or solid, especially after changing from a liquid state

   Molten material solidifies when it becomes firm after cooling.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. raised above the surrounding surface or level
   2. Located below the seabed
   3. Completely enclosed by coastal sediment
   4. Extended horizontally beneath the surface
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   raised above the surrounding surface or level

   The span is raised above the water beneath it.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. Able to resist all forms of erosion
   2. susceptible to harm, damage, or attack
   3. Difficult to observe from the shoreline
   4. Protected by a stable internal structure
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   susceptible to harm, damage, or attack

   The formations are susceptible to damage during severe weather.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. Returned to its original geological source
   2. remaining in its original condition without significant modification
   3. Changed by repeated human intervention
   4. Separated from natural volcanic processes
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   remaining in its original condition without significant modification

   The phrase refers to a form that has not been significantly modified.

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.