August Was the Hottest Month Ever Recorded Globally, Scientists Say

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

C2. 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 meaning best matches “milestone” in the article?

   1. A significant achievement or stage marking notable progress or distinction.
   2. A temporary measurement error
   3. A disputed geographical boundary
   4. A recurring seasonal pattern
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A significant achievement or stage marking notable progress or distinction.

   Here, it denotes a notably significant achievement in the temperature record.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which meaning best matches “parallel” in the article?

   1. Existing or occurring alongside something comparable, often with a notable correspondence.
   2. Developing in an entirely separate direction
   3. Following a precisely measured trajectory
   4. Repeating an earlier event identically
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Existing or occurring alongside something comparable, often with a notable correspondence.

   It describes a related pattern occurring alongside the global record.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which meaning best matches “distinctions” in the article?

   1. Differences between related things that must be recognized to avoid conflating them.
   2. Evidence supporting a numerical estimate
   3. Methods used to verify a claim
   4. Patterns shared by unrelated events
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Differences between related things that must be recognized to avoid conflating them.

   The word identifies differences that prevent the records from being conflated.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which meaning best matches “limitation” in the article?

   1. A constraint that restricts the scope, certainty, or usefulness of an account or conclusion.
   2. A decisive confirmation of causation
   3. A detailed account of regional variation
   4. A comparison with an earlier benchmark
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A constraint that restricts the scope, certainty, or usefulness of an account or conclusion.

   It refers to information restricting how far the comparison can be taken.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which meaning best matches “precise” in the article?

   1. Expressed with exactness and careful restriction of meaning or scope.
   2. Broad and intentionally impressionistic
   3. Tentative and statistically incomplete
   4. Persuasive but rhetorically exaggerated
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Expressed with exactness and careful restriction of meaning or scope.

   The description carefully specifies the result without adding unsupported detail.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which meaning best matches “margin” in the article?

   1. The amount by which one result exceeds or differs from another, especially a previous benchmark.
   2. The boundary between two countries
   3. The uncertainty surrounding a forecast
   4. The outer edge of a published report
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The amount by which one result exceeds or differs from another, especially a previous benchmark.

   It means the amount separating the result from the previous record.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which meaning best matches “attributed” in the article?

   1. Identified as having been stated, caused, or produced by a specified source.
   2. Demonstrated through an independent experiment
   3. Rejected because evidence was unavailable
   4. Revised after a contradictory measurement
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Identified as having been stated, caused, or produced by a specified source.

   The claim is identified as originating with scientists.

8. Question 8 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which meaning best matches “breakdown” in the article?

   1. A detailed division or analysis of a larger result into its constituent parts.
   2. A sudden failure of scientific equipment
   3. A disagreement between reporting institutions
   4. A chronological account of temperature changes
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   A detailed division or analysis of a larger result into its constituent parts.

   It means a detailed division of a larger national result.

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.