Should “bird brain” be a compliment? New research examines how crows think fast

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 option best defines “interpretation” as used in the article?

   1. an explanation of the significance or meaning of something
   2. A measurement of physical distance
   3. A refusal to consider evidence
   4. A sequence of visible movements
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   an explanation of the significance or meaning of something

   It means an explanation of significance or meaning.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. Happening or done in a short time
   2. Continuing without any interruption
   3. Based on a detailed comparison
   4. Difficult to understand clearly
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Happening or done in a short time

   It describes something happening in a short time.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. Changed from one form, state, or function into another
   2. Hidden from a potentially hostile observer
   3. Compared without identifying relevant differences
   4. Repeated without altering its original form
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Changed from one form, state, or function into another

   It means changed from one form into another.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. Considerable in amount, extent, or importance
   2. Difficult to perceive or measure
   3. Entirely dependent on personal preference
   4. Limited to a single brief moment
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Considerable in amount, extent, or importance

   It describes something considerable in amount or importance.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. Despite what has just been said; nevertheless
   2. Before any evidence has been presented
   3. Only under precisely defined conditions
   4. In a way that eliminates all uncertainty
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Despite what has just been said; nevertheless

   It introduces something true despite the preceding point.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. Occurring or completed immediately, with no perceptible delay
   2. Developing gradually through repeated revisions
   3. Requiring conscious verbal explanation
   4. Remaining unchanged across several generations
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Occurring or completed immediately, with no perceptible delay

   It describes something occurring immediately without perceptible delay.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. Relating to mental processes such as perception, reasoning, and memory
   2. Relating exclusively to bodily movement and strength
   3. Relating to the classification of bird species
   4. Relating to the external appearance of an organism
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Relating to mental processes such as perception, reasoning, and memory

   It concerns mental processes such as perception and reasoning.

8. Question 8 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

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

   1. Showing that something is being rejected as unworthy of consideration
   2. Showing intense curiosity about unfamiliar evidence
   3. Showing uncertainty about a carefully measured result
   4. Showing agreement with a widely accepted conclusion
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Showing that something is being rejected as unworthy of consideration

   It means rejecting something as unworthy of consideration.

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.