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

Read the following article 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 20 to 25.

Less stuff, more joy

        Many people assume that buying more things will make them happier. However, (20) ____________ influencers now promote a different way of living: owning less and appreciating what they already have. They argue that having fewer (21) ____________ can reduce stress, improve control over money, and create more free time for meaningful activities.

        One practical suggestion is to borrow tools or household items from neighbours instead of buying things that are only used occasionally. (22) ____________ is to give handmade presents or shared experiences rather than expensive gifts. People are also encouraged to (23) ____________ social media, where constant comparison with others often leads to dissatisfaction.

        Adopting slower shopping habits can also be helpful. Before buying something new, consumers should pause and consider whether they genuinely need it. Repairing old clothes or electronic devices, (24) ____________ replacing them straight away, can save money and reduce waste. Spending time on hobbies, learning useful skills, or enjoying nature often brings greater and more lasting (25) ____________ than material goods.

(Adapted from: https://www.theguardian.com)

Question 20.
A. every
B. few
C. some
D. each

Question 21.
A. appliances
B. relationships
C. qualifications
D. possessions

Question 22.
A. Another
B. The other
C. Others
D. Other

Question 23. 

A. get away with
B. come down with
C. catch up with
D. cut back on

Question 24.
A. by means of
B. regardless of
C. apart from
D. instead of

Question 25.
A. persuasion
B. recognition
C. satisfaction
D. anticipation

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 6 to 13.

        Extensive experience in mentoring diverse and talented individuals reveals that certain recurring traits consistently distinguish the most successful learners. Observation suggests that the most exceptional students demonstrate four core qualities.

        The first and most important is a genuine, deep, persistent curiosity that extends beyond the student’s core area of study. Curiosity like this is really a love of learning and discovery, in a very broad sense, and it gives students the motivation to keep going even when the material gets difficult, which it always eventually does. This expansive kind of curiosity also helps students make nontrivial connections that can lead to novel insights and breakthroughs.

        The second is rigorous thinking, of the kind taught in a serious philosophy course. Students who can formulate their ideas as carefully reasoned arguments, from clearly stated premises to precisely argued conclusions, are not only more likely to understand what they’re doing, identify hidden assumptions, make new discoveries, and avoid making mistakes, but are better at teaching and communicating their ideas to others.

        The third is integrity. The best students are honorable. They hold themselves to high moral standards, do their work honestly, and earn the trust and respect of their peers and colleagues. These students don’t cheat or take ethical shortcuts, especially the sorts of ethical shortcuts that don’t seem like a big deal or that seem widespread.

        The fourth and last is knowing when what they’ve done is enough. It’s easy for curious, rigorous, honorable students to go down rabbit holes or never manage to finish projects. It’s difficult to develop a sense for when it’s time to conclude a project and move on to the next one — but it’s a crucial skill, and one well worth working on.

(Adapted from: https://news.harvard.edu/)

Question 6. The word “it” in paragraph 1 refers to ____________.

A. persistence
B. discovery
C. ingenuity
D. curiosity

Question 7. The word “expansive” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ____________.

A. long-lasting
B. self-limiting
C. far-reaching
D. wide-ranging

Question 8. The word “rigorous” in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. superficial
B. analytical
C. meticulous
D. systematic

Question 9. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Ethical shortcuts are only avoided by the best students when those actions are likely to be perceived as widespread.

B. Exceptional students maintain their integrity by rejecting even minor ethical compromises that many might overlook.

C. Students with high moral standards often struggle to identify which ethical shortcuts are considered acceptable by their peers.

D. The reputation of a student is primarily built on avoiding significant misconduct rather than trivial dishonest acts.

Question 10. According to the passage, what crucial skill is identified for students who demonstrate curiosity, rigorous thinking, and integrity?

        A. Recognising when to complete a task and proceed to another

        B. Forming nontrivial connections that lead to novel insights

        C. Gaining trust and respect from peers and colleagues consistently

        D. Formulating ideas into carefully reasoned and structured arguments

Question 11. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

        A. Students with curiosity are more likely to make discoveries and avoid making errors.

        B. Integrity plays a more significant role than other qualities in achieving academic success.

        C. The more challenging the material becomes, the more engaged students tend to remain.

        D. The most successful students maintain high ethical standards and gain others’ trust.

Question 12. In which paragraph does the author discuss students’ ability to convey their thoughts clearly to others?

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

Question 13. In which paragraph does the author refer to the tendency of students to get lost in details and struggle to finish tasks?

A. Paragraph 3
B. Paragraph 5
C. Paragraph 4
D. Paragraph 2

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text in each of the following questions from 1 to 5.

Question 1. 

Hi Gemma,

A. I was quite surprised to learn that such a ordinary symbol could carry such a long and fascinating history.

B. Long before email existed, people used the @ sign in trade and business writing to show prices and quantities, such as goods sold at a certain price per unit.

C. This practical use is probably why Ray Tomlinson later chose it in 1971 to separate a user’s name from the computer name in the first email system.

D. I recently read an article about where the @ sign came from, and it immediately made me think of you.

e. After learning about its history, I started to see the @ sign differently, and I think you might notice it more the next time you send an email.

Write back soon,

Billy

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

Question 2. 

A.  Alex: That sounds worrying. How can using AI too much become a problem?

B.  Sue: I think many students are becoming increasingly dependent on AI tools such as ChatGPT for completing their homework and writing tasks.

C.  Alex: Why do you think students are becoming so dependent on these tools?

D.  Sue: If students rely too much on AI tools, they may stop thinking independently and lose essential skills such as creativity and critical thinking.

e. Sue: Because many students find it easier and faster to use AI tools than to think through and develop their own ideas.

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

Question 3. 

A. The ancient Egyptians later divided the day into 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night, while the Babylonians used the same mathematical principle to create smaller units such as minutes and seconds for astronomy.

B. France once attempted to replace the traditional 24-hour clock with a decimal system, but the reform quickly failed because people found it impractical in daily life.

C. As these systems proved more practical than later reforms, the modern world still measures time using decisions made thousands of years ago.

D. Long before modern clocks existed, the Sumerians had already developed a base-60 number system for trade, farming records, and land measurement because it made calculations easier.

e. This suggests that timekeeping systems tend to survive when they are practical and closely connected to everyday life.

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

Question 4. 

A. Giving the body enough time to rest from food, such as through regular fasting periods, allows cells to repair more effectively.

B. Choosing better eating habits not only supports physical health but also helps people age in a stronger and healthier way.

C. Many people still consume too much processed food, sugary snacks, and large evening meals, which can speed up ageing and weaken the body over time.

D. What we eat every day can have a major impact on how quickly our bodies age.

e. Eating more whole grains, colourful vegetables, fruits, and foods rich in omega-3 such as fish can also improve both brain and heart health.

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

Question 5. 

A.  Mark: Hi, Nam! Long time no see. You look really surprised. What are you reading about?

B.  Nam: Hi, Mark! I’ve just read an article about machines that can read our minds.

C.  Mark: Really? That sounds amazing. Can they really understand what people are thinking?

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

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 26 to 30.

        The study of social groups is a particularly interesting area of psychology, (26) ____________. Research has shown that people respond differently to group situations, depending on their personality traits and level of confidence. When placed in a group, some individuals tend to dominate discussions, naturally taking on leadership roles. (27) ____________.

        When working in groups, (28) ____________. This phenomenon, known as “social loafing,” has been widely studied. One key explanation is that both responsibility and rewards are shared among group members, which can reduce individual accountability. As a result, some individuals may feel less pressure to contribute fully and become more willing to rely on the efforts of others. In contrast, when working independently, people must take full responsibility for their actions, (29) ____________.

        Furthermore, individuals in groups tend to adjust their opinions to align with those around them. Numerous studies have demonstrated that people may set aside their own beliefs and conform to the views of the majority rather than uphold their personal principles. This phenomenon, known as “conformity pressure,” (30) ____________. For instance, someone in a group that strongly appreciates the theatre may hesitate to express a differing opinion for fear of being judged or excluded.

(Adapted from: TOEFL Reading Comprehension)

Question 26.         

A. while individuals’ behavior can be shaped by the thoughts and emotions of others, it remains complex

B. although it reveals how individuals’ behavior can be shaped by the thoughts and emotions of others

C. when individuals’ behavior can be shaped by the thoughts and emotions of others, it reveals patterns

D. as it reveals how individuals’ behavior can be shaped by the thoughts and emotions of others

Question 27.         

A. Therefore, many others prefer to follow rather than lead, adopting a more active position

B. However, many others adopt a more passive position and prefer to follow rather than lead

C. Besides, many others adopt a more active position and prefer following rather than leading

D. Moreover, many others adopt a more passive position and prefer to lead rather than follow

Question 28.         

        A. it is common for people to perform less effectively than when working alone

        B. group work often makes people perform less effectively than when working alone

        C. not performing as effectively as when working alone is a common practice

        D. people often do not perform as effectively as they do when working alone

Question 29.         

        A. which often provides a stronger incentive to perform well        

        B. whose incentive is stronger when people work alone

        C. that often gives a stronger incentive to perform well                

        D. which often incentivize people to work more carefully

Question 30.         

        A. that causes many individuals to be influenced        

        B. affects a large proportion of individuals

        C. having affected a considerable number of people        

        D. of which a large number of people are affected

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 31 to 40.

The Net Benefits of Net Zero: Beyond the Climate Crisis

        While the environmental necessity of transitioning to renewables is undeniable, the shift away from fossil fuels offers a wealth of advantages that extend far beyond carbon reduction. In the UK, decarbonizing the electricity grid has already proven to be a massive success, with emissions falling by over 50% since 1990. Beyond mitigating climate change and eliminating local pollution, this transition is fueling technological innovation, bolstering national resilience, and reshaping the economic landscape through high-value job creation.

        The green economy is currently the second fastest-growing sector globally, offering a unique opportunity to revitalize communities hit hardest by industrial decline. In the UK and US, these roles are frequently located outside major prosperous cities, bringing skilled employment to coastal towns and former industrial hubs. [I] With an estimated 300,000 more workers needed to overhaul the national grid, the sector is creating a vast supply chain of roles—from component manufacturing to the specialized maintenance of offshore wind farms.

        Economically, renewable energy promises a future of lower power costs and increased stability. Although the upfront capital requirements are significant, once operational, renewables provide energy that is immune to the volatility of global gas markets. This benefit ripples through the economy, supporting power-intensive industries. [II] A prime example is Iceland; by leveraging abundant geothermal energy, the nation has become a major aluminum exporter despite having no domestic ore, proving that cheap, clean power can create a distinct competitive advantage in the global market.

        Furthermore, a decarbonized grid is a cornerstone of national security. For decades, many nations have remained vulnerable to price shocks and geopolitical instability due to a reliance on imported fossil fuels. The recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have highlighted the dangers of energy dependence on aggressive or unstable neighbors. [III] By expanding domestic renewable capacity, countries can break this cycle of vulnerability, ensuring energy self-sufficiency and the freedom to act in their own sovereign interests.

        Ultimately, being at the forefront of green technology is essential in an increasingly competitive world. [IV]. By leading in innovative grid technologies and decreasing reliance on imported fuels, nations can secure a more resilient and prosperous future, proving that the net benefits of net zero are as much about economic strength as they are about the planet.

(Adapted from: https://www.theguardian.com/)

Question 31. The word “bolstering” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ____________.

A. diversifying
B. reinforcing
C. complicating
D. undermining

Question 32. What can be inferred from the first paragraph about the UK’s grid decarbonization?

        A. It brings environmental gains along with economic and technological benefits.

        B. It mainly aims to expand renewable energy exports to global markets.

        C. It has focused primarily on environmental goals rather than economic ones.

        D. It focuses on cutting emissions by more than half without other impacts.

Question 33. The word “overhaul” in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. deteriorate
B. revamp
C. renovate
D. restructure

Question 34. Which of the following best summarizes the main idea of paragraph 2?

A. The green economy is creating a large number of jobs, particularly in areas historically affected by industrial decline.

B. The second fastest-growing sector globally is focused on offshore wind farm maintenance and component manufacturing.

C. Urban centers are increasingly becoming the primary locations for high-value employment in the emerging green sector.

D. The green economy is primarily limited by a shortage of financial investment rather than workforce availability.

Question 35. The phrase “This benefit” in paragraph 3 most directly refers to ____________.

        A. the broader economic effects resulting from stable energy prices

        B. the support provided to power-intensive industries

        C. the immunity of renewables to global gas market price fluctuations

        D. the significant upfront capital requirements for renewable projects

Question 36. What can be inferred about the global geopolitical landscape as described in the passage?

A. Reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels is a key strategy for enhancing national sovereignty and reducing external vulnerabilities.

B. Nations that invest heavily in renewable energy are less likely to experience internal political instability.

C. The recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are primarily driven by disputes over renewable energy resources.

D. Energy dependence on certain countries has historically been a minor factor in international conflicts.

Question 37. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 5?

A. Nations can achieve a more sustainable future by advancing green technologies and reducing fuel imports, showing that net zero benefits both economy and environment.

B. Although innovative grid technologies and reduced fuel imports contribute to national resilience, their impact on economic strength is less significant than on environmental protection.

C. Countries can secure a national resilient future by balancing technological innovation and environmental protection, while downplaying the role of economic competitiveness.

D. Nations that focus solely on innovative grid technologies and ignore reducing imported fuels can still achieve a resilient and prosperous future, despite environmental concerns.

Question 38. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a positive outcome of transitioning to renewable energy?

        A. A reduction in the overall cost of living for average citizens

        B. Increased national self-sufficiency and autonomy in foreign policy

        C. Stimulation of technological advancements and innovation

        D. Greater stability in energy prices due to reduced market volatility

Question 39. Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

In this context, investors and leaders alike recognize that a cleaner grid is not just an environmental mandate but a fundamental driver of long-term growth and security.

A. [III]
B. [II]
C. [I]
D. [IV]

Question 40. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?

A. The significant upfront capital required for renewable energy infrastructure is the main barrier to realizing its full range of benefits.

B. Overcoming geopolitical instability and securing energy self-sufficiency are the most pressing global challenges that only renewable energy can address.

C. While environmentally essential, the transition to net zero offers broader, critical advantages in economic growth, job creation, and national security.

D. The UK's successful decarbonization efforts serve as the primary global example for achieving energy independence and technological leadership.