Read the following advertisement and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 7 to 16.

Taking Home the World Cup

        Standing just 36 centimeters tall, the FIFA World Cup Trophy symbolizes the pinnacle of football achievement.  Every four years, teams worldwide compete for it, but no one ever takes the trophy home. Made of 18-carat gold, the original trophy remains under FIFA's protection, with winners receiving only a replica. This measure safeguards it from theft, as the trophy has been stolen twice in its history.

        The original trophy was made by a French sculptor, Abel LaFleur, and was called the “Jules Rimet Cup,” in honor of the founder of the World Cup tournament. Sometime during the first three World Cup events (1930, 1934, and 1938), the name changed to simply the “World Cup.” Then during World War II, not much was seen or heard of the trophy. It was being kept hidden in a shoe box under the bed of Dr. Ottorino Barassi, the Italian vice-president of FIFA, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Nazi army. In 1966, the Cup was stolen during a public showing of the trophy prior to the World Cup tournament in England. Luckily, it was found a short time later, none the worse for wear, in a trash container by a little dog named Pickles. Four years later, Brazil earned permanent possession of the original trophy by winning its third World Cup title. Unfortunately, the trophy was stolen a second time in 1983 and was never recovered. The Brazilian Football Association had to have a duplicate trophy made.

        (I) After the first trophy became the possession of Brazil’s football association, a new World Cup Trophy for FIFA was designed by an Italian artist, Silvio Gazzaniga, in 1974. (II) This trophy cannot be won outright, but remains in the possession of FIFA, and rest assured they are watching it very closely. Today, World Cup winners are awarded a replica of the trophy that is gold-plated, rather than solid gold like the real one. (III) Gazzaniga’s World Cup trophy weighs almost five kilograms. (IV) Its base contains two layers of a semi-precious stone called malachite, and has room for seventeen small plaques bearing the names of the winning teams enough space to honor all the World Cup champions up to the year 2038. After that, a new trophy will have to be made.

(Adapted from Reading Challenge 3)

Question 7. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence?

        A. Although small, the FIFA World Cup Trophy is a prestigious symbol of football success.

        B. The FIFA World Cup Trophy represents an achievable goal for most football teams.

        C. The FIFA World Cup Trophy is a modest yet iconic award in football tournament.

        D. The FIFA World Cup Trophy's size reflects the scale of football excellence in the world.

Question 8. The word "it" in paragraph 1 refers to:

A. FIFA
B. the competition                        

C. the original trophy
D. the replica

Question 9. Which of the following is NOT a reason for FIFA keeping the original trophy under protection?

A. Its significant monetary value
B. The risk of it being lost in transit

C. Its history of being stolen twice
D. The fact that it is made of 18-carat gold

Question 10. The phrase "none the worse for wear" could best be replaced by:

A. entirely replaced
B. barely noticeable
C. slightly damaged
D. completely intact

Question 11. Where in paragraph 3 does the following sentence best fit?

"It was a decision made to prevent the trophy from being stolen again."

A. (III)
B. (IV)
C. (I)
D. (II)

Question 12. The word "outright" in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to:

A. partially
B. temporarily
C. gradually
D. indefinitely

Question 13. Which of the following best summarizes paragraph 3?

        A. The original trophy was stolen and replaced by a duplicate.

        B. Gazzaniga’s design includes features ensuring its long-term use.

        C. FIFA now awards winners a replica to protect the original.

        D. A new trophy designed in 1974 cannot be won outright.

Question 14. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

        A. Brazil permanently kept the original trophy after winning their third World Cup.

        B. Pickles was the name of the dog that found the trophy in 1974.

        C. The current World Cup Trophy has space for plaques up to 2040.

        D. The original trophy was never recovered after it was stolen in 1966.

Question 15. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

        A. FIFA plans to redesign the current trophy before 2038.

        B. The replica trophies are also made of 18-carat gold.

        C. The current trophy is more secure than the original.

        D. Brazil no longer competes for the World Cup trophy.

Question 16. Which of the following best summarizes the main point of the passage?

A. The World Cup Trophy has undergone numerous changes to prevent theft and then  accommodate more and more winners.

B. FIFA's decision to create a replica trophy highlights the history of the history of the trophy surrounding the World Cup.

C. The FIFA World Cup Trophy is a highly valued and carefully protected prize, symbolizing the pinnacle of football achievement.

D. The history of the FIFA World Cup Trophy reflects its importance and ongoing legacy in international football tournament.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 17 to 21.

        The high living costs after Covid-19, especially in clothing and merchandise, (17) ____________. Years ago, buying second-hand goods was seen as unreasonable. Why would you want to pay for something that has already been used by a stranger? But now, it is a hot new thing that youths and adults are doing. It is clear that people have become more environmentally conscious. (18) ____________.

        Passing down clothes is not a new thing, and a person can then buy that item for half the price. Mrs. Bão Trân shared that today's youth liked to buy expensive clothes to show off in a couple of pictures, then they would sell them back to the store. She had even almost quit buying new clothes because she could just buy almost unused clothes in a store that sells them at a 90% discount or even less. (19) ____________. As 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced every year, the fashion industry is throwing away more clothes than ever before.

        Besides taking care of the waste, giving away or buying second-hand clothes also helps the needy (20) ____________. Starting as a Facebook page for selling second-hand clothes, (21) ____________. Volunteers can either donate their used fashion items to the shop to give to the poor or give them to the shop as free apparel. The only requirement is that the clothes should be in good condition.

(Adapted from Think 12)

Question 17. 

        A. which forced a lot of people to buy second-hand goods to make ends meet

        B. has forced a lot of people to buy second-hand goods to make ends meet

        C. have forced a lot of people to buy second-hand goods to make ends meet

        D. that forced a lot of people to buy second-hand goods to make ends meet

Question 18. 

A. Reducing fashion waste is not recognized because it is seen as less important than helping the disadvantaged

B. They realize that handing over clothes is a solution to reducing fashion waste and helping the disadvantaged

C. People are not aware that handing over clothes can help reduce fashion waste and support the disadvantaged

D. Knowing that handing over clothes is a solution, a reduction in fashion waste can help the disadvantaged

Question 19. 

        A. This practice is either good for the wallet or fantastic for the environment

        B. This practice is good for the wallet so that the environment can also benefit

        C. Not only is this practice good for the wallet, but it is also fantastic for the environment

        D. Being good for the wallet, the environment can also benefit greatly from this practice

Question 20. 

        A. who is struggling to survive during cold winters or to afford basic needs

        B. whose efforts during cold winters or to afford basic needs

        C. who are struggling to survive during cold winters or to afford basic needs

        D. lives during cold winters or has access to basic needs

Question 21. 

        A. charity money is now raised by an organisation through selling old clothing

        B. volunteers set up an organisation that sells old clothing for charity money

        C. an organisation now sells old clothing for charity money

        D. old clothing is now sold by an organisation for charity money

Read the passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 22 to 29.

        The word "healing" has aggressively permeated the daily vernacular of the younger workforce. It is no longer utilized solely in a medical context but has evolved into a catch-all term for a specific, aspirational lifestyle. Travel agencies and hospitality groups now aggressively market "healing tours" to remote mountain retreats or forest hideaways. These packages promise more than simple leisure; they offer a structured remedy for the burnout and accumulated fatigue of modern urban life. The concept of rest has been repackaged as an essential, therapeutic intervention.

        A distinct and lucrative industry has rapidly mobilized around this collective exhaustion. Silence, fresh air, and a disconnection from digital devices are now sold at a premium. Resorts charge exorbitant rates for meditation sessions, sound baths, and organic nutrition plans. The pursuit of mental well-being, once a private and internal process, is now visibly commoditized. Access to these restorative experiences is frequently predicated on substantial disposable income, creating a situation where the ability to effectively "heal" becomes an exclusive privilege rather than a universal right.

        The ubiquity of this trend points to a pervasive underlying issue within the contemporary employment environment. The relentless exigencies of corporate schedules and the dissolving boundary between professional and personal time have generated unprecedented levels of stress. Young professionals often feel compelled to seek these expensive escapes not merely for enjoyment, but as a necessary maintenance strategy to sustain their productivity. The popularity of such retreats is a stark indicator of a workforce operating near its breaking point, seeking external solutions for systemic internal pressures.

        A return to the city often exposes the transient nature of these expensive respites. The immediate alleviation of stress achieved during a weekend retreat frequently evaporates upon re-entry into the chaotic office environment. Critics argue that while such excursions provide a temporary, soothing placebo, they fail to address the root causes of the anxiety. True psychological restoration requires sustainable changes to daily habits and working conditions, rather than sporadic, high-cost interruptions to the grind.

(Adapted from SciSpace)

Question 22. The word “restorative” in paragraph 2 is CLOSEST in meaning to ____________.

A. preventive
B. revitalizing
C. holistic
D. exclusive

Question 23. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a service or amenity provided by the expensive "healing" resorts?

A. Private yoga classes
B. Organic nutrition plans

C. Sound baths
D. Meditation sessions

Question 24. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A. The unceasing demands of business timetables combined with the fading separation between work and home have created considerable anxiety for the modern workforce.

B. Anxiety levels never seen before have resulted from the unceasing demands of business timetables and the erasing lines separating work from private life.

C. Due to the unceasing competitiveness of business agendas and the blurring of life-work boundaries, employees are facing record-breaking amounts of mental strain.

D. What has generated unpredictable forms of tension is the unceasing pressure of business timetables and the fading distinction between work and home life.

Question 25. The word “its” in paragraph 3 refers to ____________.

A. strategy
B. workforce
C. productivity
D. popularity

Question 26. The word “sporadic” in paragraph 4 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. sudden
B. continuous                        C. expensive                        intense

Question 27. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Junior corporate employees regard costly retreats less as recreational leisure and more as a tactical measure to preserve professional output.

B. Travel agencies are promoting secluded nature getaways by emphasizing the clinical efficacy of distinct, traditional woodland treatments.

C. The substantial costs associated with wellness tourism are primarily driven by a geographical shortage of undeveloped wilderness suitable for commercial expansion.

D. Major business organizations are now actively instituting permanent operational adjustments to resolve the foundational sources of pervasive staff mental distress.

Question 28. Which paragraph mentions that the absence of noise is now marketed as an expensive product?

A. Paragraph 4
B. Paragraph 3
C. Paragraph 2
D. Paragraph 1

Question 29. Which paragraph mentions the use of holidays to preserve professional output?

A. Paragraph 1
B. Paragraph 4
C. Paragraph 2
D. Paragraph 3

Read of the following leaflet and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 30 to 35.

Join Our Community Gardening Program

* Are you interested in growing your own vegetables? If you’ve tried our workshops, you’ll want to sign up for (30) ____________ session! In our program, participants (31) ____________ to share tips and techniques for successful gardening. Each week, we focus on a different plant variety, providing you with the (32) ____________ you need for successful harvests.

* Our experts will guide you (33) ____________ the art of sustainable gardening. You'll also receive a starter kit that includes seeds, soil, and tools, making it easier for you to begin your gardening (34) ____________. We believe that a (35) ____________ of the benefits of gardening include a sense of community and the joy of growing your own food.

Question 30.
A. the others
B. other
C. Others
D. Another

Question 31.
A. make out
B. go down
C. come together
D. break in

Question 32.
A. tools
B. knowledge
C. weather
D. seeds

Question 33. 

A. with respect to
B. in light of
C. on behalf of
D. in search of

Question 34.
A. adventure
B. experience
C. project
D. journey

Question 35.
A. number
B. lot
C. portion
D. amount

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a cohesive and coherent exchange or text in each of the following questions from 36 to 40.

Question 36. 

A. My goal was simple: no phone, no laptop, and no social media from Friday evening until Monday morning.

B. I quickly found myself pacing the room, fighting a strong, almost physical urge to check my email or scroll through feeds.

C. The experience was a powerful reminder that I need to control my technology, not let it control me.

D. Feeling constantly distracted by notifications, I decided to attempt a full "digital detox" for an entire weekend.

e. Instead of giving in, I dug out an old book and went for a long walk, focusing entirely on the world around me.

A. c - a - e - d – b
B. c - b - e - a – d
C. d - a - b - e – c
D. d - b - e - c - a

Question 37. 

A.  David: It's a serious problem. The job opportunities are here, but they barely cover the cost of rent and transport.

B.  Maria: Exactly. And the financial pressure just makes it impossible to save money or even enjoy the city life we moved here for.

C.  Maria: Do you ever wonder if living in this city is still worth it, given how high the cost of living has become?

D.  Maria: I suppose it's a major trade-off. We gain career growth but sacrifice our short-term financial well-being.

e. David: That's the core issue. Even a small pay rise seems to disappear instantly on basic necessities.

A. d - a - c - e – b
B. d - e - b - a – c
C. c - e - d - a - b
D. c - a - b - e – d

Question 38. 

A.  Anna: Sounds good. Let's see what time the next showing is.

B.  Anna: I was really hoping we could finally see that new action movie tonight.

C.  Ben: Oh, I'd prefer something lighter, to be honest. How about that new animated film?

A. a - c - b
B. a - b – c
C. b - c – a
D. b - a – c

Question 39. 

Dear Customer Support Team,

A. My confirmation email stated a guaranteed delivery window of November 10-12.

B. I expect either an immediate shipment or a full refund for this order.

C. Furthermore, the tracking number provided (1ZA998...) has shown no movement or updates for the past four days.

D. I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction regarding my order #903-45B, which is now significantly overdue.

e. Please advise on how you will resolve this matter within the next 24 hours.

Sincerely, Alex Chen

A. d - a - c - b – e
B. a - c - d - b – e
C. c - a - d - b - e
D. b - d - a - c – e

Question 40. 

A. The cafe has now become the neighborhood's most popular spot, consistently busy from morning until night.

B. These combined efforts have dramatically improved the customer experience, resulting in glowing online reviews and strong word-of-mouth.

C. To tackle the service issue, the owner invested in a new espresso machine and hired two additional baristas.

D. Regarding the atmosphere, they also repainted the walls, updated the furniture, and curated a much better music playlist.

e. For years, my favorite local cafe struggled with two main problems: painfully slow service during peak hours and a dull, unwelcoming atmosphere.

A. a - d - b - c – e
B. a - b - d - e – c
C. e - c - d - b – a
D. e - d - c - a – b