Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1The minister ............... that the delay is regrettable but insists the reform is still on schedule.
Wrong!
"concedes" is used because the following clause admits a weakness before giving a contrast.
2The watchdog ............... that several contractors inflated their invoices, without providing evidence at this stage.
Wrong!
"alleges" is correct because the phrase "without providing evidence" signals an unproven accusation.
3Despite repeated criticism, the lead researcher ............... that the model remains reliable.
Wrong!
"maintains" fits because "despite repeated criticism" shows the researcher continues to assert the same position.
4The committee ............... that the archive may deteriorate unless humidity levels are reduced.
Wrong!
"warns" is correct because "unless" introduces a possible negative consequence.
5After matching the records, the auditor ............... that the missing funds were transferred to a dormant account.
Wrong!
"confirms" is correct because "after matching the records" indicates verified information, not guesswork.
6In her final paragraph, the consultant ............... the board to postpone the launch until the security review is complete.
Wrong!
"urges" is correct because the sentence reports a strong recommendation for action.
7The article ............... the governor's claim that emissions have fallen, presenting three contrary data sets.
Wrong!
"disputes" is correct because the sentence says the author presents contrary data.
8The small pilot study ............... that remote consultations may improve follow-up rates.
Wrong!
"suggests" is correct because "may" signals a tentative interpretation rather than conclusive proof.
9Although the report identifies serious accounting errors, the spokesperson ............... the significance of the findings.
Wrong!
"downplays" is correct because "although" contrasts serious findings with the spokesperson's minimising stance.
10Citing video evidence, the mayor ............... the allegation that police ignored the first emergency call.
Wrong!
"refutes" is correct because the phrase "citing video evidence" shows the mayor is disproving an accusation.
11The memo stops short of saying so directly, but it ............... that the department will freeze recruitment.
Wrong!
"implies" is correct because the conclusion is indirect and based on the wording "stops short of saying".
12The director ............... the closure of the regional office on the grounds that its lease has become unsustainable.
Wrong!
"justifies" is correct because "on the grounds that" introduces the reason offered in defence of the decision.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- The minister concedes that the delay is regrettable but insists the reform is still on schedule.
- The watchdog alleges that several contractors inflated their invoices, without providing evidence at this stage.
- Despite repeated criticism, the lead researcher maintains that the model remains reliable.
- The committee warns that the archive may deteriorate unless humidity levels are reduced.
- After matching the records, the auditor confirms that the missing funds were transferred to a dormant account.
- In her final paragraph, the consultant urges the board to postpone the launch until the security review is complete.
- The article disputes the governor’s claim that emissions have fallen, presenting three contrary data sets.
- The small pilot study suggests that remote consultations may improve follow-up rates.
- Although the report identifies serious accounting errors, the spokesperson downplays the significance of the findings.
- Citing video evidence, the mayor refutes the allegation that police ignored the first emergency call.
- The memo stops short of saying so directly, but it implies that the department will freeze recruitment.
- The director justifies the closure of the regional office on the grounds that its lease has become unsustainable.
