---
id: 6810dfbaf5739d24d7489b77
title: Task 31
challengeType: 22
dashedName: task-31
lang: en-US
---

<!-- (Audio) Jake: But we need to balance that with higher costs. -->

# --instructions--

Listen to the audio and complete the sentence below.

# --fillInTheBlank--

## --sentence--

`But we need to balance that with BLANK.`

## --blanks--

`higher costs`

### --feedback--

This two-word phrase describes the type of price.

# --explanation--

In `higher costs`, no article is needed because `costs` is a plural countable noun used in a general sense.

Earlier, Jake mentioned `a lower cost` and `a higher price` - these were singular, specific amounts, so an article (`a`) was needed. Take a look:

- `We must prepare for higher costs.` - Here, `costs` is plural and used in a general sense.

- `They offered a lower cost.` - Here, `cost` is singular and one `cost` being talked about.

# --scene--

```json
{
  "setup": {
    "background": "company2-boardroom.png",
    "characters": [
      {
        "character": "Jake",
        "position": {
          "x": 50,
          "y": 0,
          "z": 1.4
        },
        "opacity": 0
      }
    ],
    "audio": {
      "filename": "B1_20-1.mp3",
      "startTime": 1,
      "startTimestamp": 49.78,
      "finishTimestamp": 53.16
    }
  },
  "commands": [
    {
      "character": "Jake",
      "opacity": 1,
      "startTime": 0
    },
    {
      "character": "Jake",
      "startTime": 1,
      "finishTime": 4.38,
      "dialogue": {
        "text": "But we need to balance that with higher costs.",
        "align": "center"
      }
    },
    {
      "character": "Jake",
      "opacity": 0,
      "startTime": 4.88
    }
  ]
}
```
