Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1The minister ............... that the scheme had cost more than projected, but still argued that its long-term benefits justified the expense.
Wrong!
"Acknowledged" fits because the later clause shows concession, not emphatic assertion.
2The newspaper issued a ............... after its editors withdrew the allegation that the official had intervened in the tender.
Wrong!
"Retraction" is correct because the paper is taking back an earlier claim, not merely saying an accusation is false.
3Campaigners warned of an ............... legal challenge that could halt the development within days.
Wrong!
"Imminent" is correct because the warning is about a threat likely to happen very soon.
4The commission ............... the proposal to lower the voting age and called on parliament to adopt it before the next election.
Wrong!
"Endorsed" is correct because the clause describes formal public support for a proposal.
5The analysis cautions that the policy may deepen inequality, ............... it is framed as a measure to help working families.
Wrong!
"Although" is correct because the sentence contrasts a popular-sounding policy with evidence that it may deepen inequality.
6The leaked figures ............... the government’s claim that waiting lists had fallen, since they showed thousands of unrecorded cases.
Wrong!
"Cast doubt on" is correct because the context says the leaked figures undermined the official account.
7Under the revised code, broadcasters ............... disclose paid political advertising during election coverage or face penalties.
Wrong!
"Are required to" is correct because the following phrase says non-compliance will lead to penalties.
8The target was presented not as a vague aspiration but as a ............... against which future progress would be measured.
Wrong!
"Benchmark" is correct because the sentence refers to a standard against which later performance is measured.
9Unemployment among graduates has fallen for the first time in five years, ............... a report published by the committee.
Wrong!
"According to" is correct because the report is cited as the source of the claim.
10The mayor’s housing levy became a ............... measure, provoking division within the council and repeated challenges from residents’ groups.
Wrong!
"Contentious" is correct because the measure provoked division and repeated challenges.
11Her apparently sweeping promise included a crucial ...............: it applied only to emergency cases.
Wrong!
"Qualification" is correct because the speaker limits a broad claim by adding an important condition.
12After the backlash, the party leader ............... the slogan, saying it had never reflected the movement’s official position.
Wrong!
"Disowned" is correct because the leader said the slogan did not represent the party’s position.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- The minister acknowledged that the scheme had cost more than projected, but still argued that its long-term benefits justified the expense.
- The newspaper issued a retraction after its editors withdrew the allegation that the official had intervened in the tender.
- Campaigners warned of an imminent legal challenge that could halt the development within days.
- The commission endorsed the proposal to lower the voting age and called on parliament to adopt it before the next election.
- The analysis cautions that the policy may deepen inequality, although it is framed as a measure to help working families.
- The leaked figures cast doubt on the government’s claim that waiting lists had fallen, since they showed thousands of unrecorded cases.
- Under the revised code, broadcasters are required to disclose paid political advertising during election coverage or face penalties.
- The target was presented not as a vague aspiration but as a benchmark against which future progress would be measured.
- Unemployment among graduates has fallen for the first time in five years, according to a report published by the committee.
- The mayor’s housing levy became a contentious measure, provoking division within the council and repeated challenges from residents’ groups.
- Her apparently sweeping promise included a crucial qualification: it applied only to emergency cases.
- After the backlash, the party leader disowned the slogan, saying it had never reflected the movement’s official position.
