Read the following article and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct option that best fits eac...

Read the following news item and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 7 to 12.

China launches new giant panda base, expanding conservation network

        A new giant panda base has recently been launched in Mianyang, (7) ____________ in Sichuan Province, southwest China, as part of efforts to strengthen panda conservation, scientific research, and international cooperation. The facility, which (8) ____________ the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, (9) ____________ the fifth site in the national panda conservation network.

        The base covers around 120 hectares and has recently begun trial operations and is expected to open to visitors next year. 13 pandas, which were moved from other breeding centers, are currently adapting to their new environment. To ease the transition, the base has deployed an experienced team to keep close watch over the animals. (10) ____________ the pandas appear slightly nervous, they are  gradually settling in.

        According to China’s fourth national panda survey, about 418 wild giant pandas live in Mianyang,  making the city the region that houses the largest number of pandas. These animals play an important role  in biodiversity protection, which has been strongly promoted by the Chinese government.

        Since the 1980s, major progress has been (11) ____________ in captive breeding. The panda population at the research center has been increased from only six individuals in 1983 to more than 380 today, showing that long-term conservation efforts have (12) ____________ and continue to support the  survival of this iconic species.

Question 7:
A. involved
B. located
C. displaced
D. resided

Question 8:
A. owns
B. possesses
C. belongs to
D. includes

Question 9:
A. became
B. is becoming
C. becomes
D. has become

Question 10:
A. Although
B. Because
C. Despite
D. Unless

Question 11:
A. take
B. set
C. do
D. made

Question 12:
A. gone off
B. paid off
C. taken off
D. called off

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct arrangement of the sentence to make a meaningful paragraph/letter in each of the following questions from 13 to 17.

Question 13.

A.  Rachel: It’ll kick off at 7 PM at my place. Hope to see you there!

B.  Rachel: Hey Mark, I’m hosting a farewell party this Saturday, and I’d love for you to join!

C.  Mark: That sounds fun! What time does it start?

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

Question 14.

A.  Lan: OK, Mum. I'll be home before 10 p.m. then.

B.  Lan's mother: Certainly. Whose birthday is it?

C.  Lan: Mum, can I go to my friend's birthday party this Saturday evening?

D.  Lan's mother: Oh, I’m afraid not. You must come back home before 10 p.m. We're going to visit your grandparents early on Sunday morning.

e. Lan: It's Mai's birthday, Mum. Is it OK if I stay the night at her house after the party?

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

Question 15.        

Dear Sir or Madam,

A. It overheats when I play games and it keeps crashing when I do my homework. It also sometimes slows down when I watch movies.

B. Finally, I spoke to your colleague, Andy. He said he would speak to his manager and call back in ten minutes. That was three hours ago.

C. On Friday, November 27th, I bought a Link76 laptop from your website and it is not working. The laptop has two main problems.

D. I called RocketTech's customer hotline and waited 30 minutes to speak to someone.

e. I would like RocketTech to repair my laptop or provide a new one as soon as possible. I look forward to your reply.

Yours faithfully, June Evans

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

Question 16.

A. Moreover, the physicality of the paper, the ink, and even the handwriting itself adds a personal touch that cannot be replicated electronically.

B. Handwritten letters possess a timeless charm that digital messages often lack.

C. Although modern technology offers unparalleled speed and convenience, many people still treasure the rare occasions when they receive a handwritten note.

D. Unlike emails or texts, a carefully crafted letter conveys a deeper sense of thoughtfulness and sincerity.

e. In an increasingly fast-paced world, such gestures serve as poignant reminders of the value of patience and human connection.

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

Question 17.

A. Simultaneously, it fosters ecological sustainability, curtailing chemical overuse and mitigating soil and water degradation.

B. Consequently, it bolsters global food security by enhancing efficiciency and reducing post-harvest losses.

C. Precision agriculture deploys AI, IoT sensors and geospatial technologies to intensify yields while curbing waste.

D. Taken together, these dimensions position precision agriculture as a transformative pillar of sustainable growth.

e. Moreover, it catalyses rural development and economic resilience by creating employment and fortifying climate adaptation strategies.

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

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 18 to 22.

        Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally reshaping contemporary education by introducing more personalized, accessible, and efficient learning experiences. Unlike traditional instructional models, (18) ____________, AI-driven systems are capable of analyzing large volumes of learner data to identify individual strengths, weaknesses, and learning patterns. On the basis of this analysis, these systems can generate highly customized learning pathways. For instance, intelligent tutoring platforms, including conversational chatbots and virtual learning assistants, are able to provide immediate feedback and targeted explanations. Such responsiveness allows learners to correct misunderstandings promptly and progress at a pace that corresponds to their individual needs, thereby enhancing both motivation and learning effectiveness.

        Beyond personalization, (19) ____________. Through advanced machine translation tools and speech recognition technologies, students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds can gain access to educational resources that were previously unavailable to them. In addition, AI-powered digital platforms facilitate remote learning through interactive virtual classrooms, adaptive assessments, and data-driven monitoring of student        progress. These developments are particularly beneficial for individuals (20) ____________ or those with limited access to traditional educational institutions.

        Nevertheless, the growing integration of AI into education raises legitimate concerns regarding excessive technological dependence. If educational systems rely too heavily on automated processes, opportunities for meaningful human interaction may decline. Since collaboration, critical thinking, and social communication are essential components of holistic education, (21) ____________.

        Despite these concerns, AI continues to exert a profound influence on the evolution of modern education. (22) ____________, AI has the potential to cultivate creativity, strengthen analytical thinking, and foster a more flexible and inclusive learning environment capable of meeting the demands of the twenty-first century.

Question 18.

A. one-size-fits-all strategies have been widely applied in many schools

B. that follow a standardized method for various types of students.

C. which generally adopt a standardized approach for diverse groups of learners

D. typically used a uniform approach for learners from different backgrounds

Question 19.

A. AI also plays a crucial role in reducing long-standing geographical and linguistic barriers in education.

B. despite technological advances, many students still prefer conventional learning methods to AI-based tools.

C. some schools encounter obstacles when implementing AI as a result of inadequate technological resources.

D. AI also enables teachers to save time by automating administrative duties and the grading of assignments.

Question 20.

A. live in remote regions
B. lived in remote areas

C. to live in remote areas
D. living in remote regions

Question 21.

A. more and more teachers use AI technologies to develop students’ academic performance and social skills

B. many people believe that AI technologies will eventually replace teachers and human mentors

C. the presence of teachers’ guidance and human mentorship remains crucial

D. many educational institutions are investing heavily in advanced digital technologies

Question 22.

A. If using responsibly and combing with human expertise

B. When applied responsibly and in conjunction with human expertise

C. If adopted without responsible management and human expertise

D. Only when it is used in a responsible way and combined with human expertise

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 23 to 30.

        Anthropogenic deforestation has precipitated an ecological catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude, threatening the planet's biodiversity equilibrium and climate stability. What commenced as localized resource extraction has metastasized into systematic habitat destruction that imperils countless species and disrupts intricate ecosystem interdependencies.

        Commercial logging operations and agricultural expansion provide substantial economic incentives for continued forest clearance. Corporations benefit from timber harvests, agricultural land conversion, and mineral extraction opportunities. Meanwhile, local communities often depend on these activities for subsistence and employment. However, these short-term economic gains frequently obscure the profound long-term environmental consequences that threaten global sustainability.

        Biodiversity loss represents the most catastrophic ramification of widespread deforestation. Complex forest ecosystems harbor extraordinary species richness that has evolved over millennia. When pristine habitats undergo fragmentation or complete destruction, endemic species face immediate extinction threats. Additionally, disrupted ecological networks compromise pollination cycles, seed dispersal mechanisms, and predator-prey relationships that maintain natural equilibrium.

        Scientific research demonstrates that intact forests provide crucial ecosystem services including carbon sequestration, water cycle regulation, and soil preservation. Advanced satellite monitoring systems and ground-based research stations now enable scientists to quantify deforestation rates with unprecedented accuracy. Nevertheless, translating scientific knowledge into effective conservation policies requires overcoming significant political and economic obstacles that prioritize immediate profits over environmental sustainability.

(Adapted from Lexiverse: Advanced Materials for National High School Exam)

Question 23. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

A. The practice of clearing forests continues largely because of the ecological necessity created by agriculture and logging.

B. Economic motivations for ongoing deforestation stem from the profitability of logging industries and the expansion of farmland.

C. Forest clearance has persisted primarily due to cultural traditions linked to agriculture rather than modern commercial incentives.

D. Agricultural activities and logging operations discourage further deforestation by reducing the demand for new land and timber.

Question 24. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an economic incentive for deforestation?

A. timber harvesting profits
B. agricultural land development

C. mineral extraction revenues
D. ecotourism development opportunities

Question 25. The word “harbor” in paragraph 3 can be best replaced by ____________.

A. shelter
B. exclude
C. distribute
D. relocate

Question 26. The word “compromise” in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. negotiate
B. strengthen
C. adjust
D. balance

Question 27. The word “these” in paragraph 2 refers to ____________.

A. corporations
B. communities
C. economic gains
D. consequences

Question 28. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. All forest ecosystems provide identical ecosystem services regardless of their geographical location.

B. Scientific knowledge automatically translates into effective conservation policies without political intervention.

C. Advanced monitoring systems enable scientists to measure deforestation rates with greater precision than before.

D. Short-term economic benefits consistently outweigh long-term environmental costs in forest management decisions.

Question 29. In which paragraph does the writer discuss scientific monitoring of deforestation?

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

Question 30. In which paragraph does the writer mention economic motivations for forest clearance?

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

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.

        A generation of teenagers who primarily communicate via the Internet and text messaging may be putting their future employment prospects at risk, experts have warned. Although recent surveys indicate that young people are familiar with an average of 40,000 words, they tend to rely heavily on a limited form of “teenspeak” commonly used in text messages, social networking platforms, and online chat rooms. Communication expert Jean Gross argues that this restricted range of language could significantly hinder their chances of securing employment. Consequently, she is planning a nationwide campaign aimed at encouraging children to fully develop and utilize their linguistic potential. [I]

        Gross is determined to ensure that teenagers do not fail in the classroom and later, in the workplace, because they are inarticulate. “Teenagers are spending more time communicating through electronic media and text messaging, which is short and brief”, she explains. “We need to help them understand the difference between their textspeak and the formal language they need to succeed in life - 800 words will not get you a job.” [II] As part of her initiative, she intends to equip students with video cameras and send them into workplaces to observe the range of vocabulary used by professionals, after which they will present their findings to their peers. [III] In addition, she advocates for parents to reduce the amount of television their children watch and instead encourage more direct, meaningful conversation. [IV]

        Her concerns are supported by research conducted by Tony McEnery, a professor of linguistics, who analyzed 10 million words of transcribed speech alongside 100,000 words taken from teenagers’ blogs. His findings revealed that adolescents tend to rely heavily on a small core vocabulary, with their 20 most frequently used words accounting for approximately one-third of their speech. The study also identified expressions that are often unfamiliar to adults, such as “chenzed” (meaning tired), “spong” (silly), and “lol”, the abbreviated form of “laugh out loud”.

        John Bald, a language teaching consultant, suggests that this limited use of language may, in part, be a deliberate form of rebellion. “There is undoubtedly a culture among teenagers of deliberately stripping away language”, he notes. “When kids are in social situations, the instinct is to simplify”. It's part of a wider anti-school culture that exists among some children which parents and schools need to address. However, David Crystal, honorary professor of linguistics at Bangor University, offers a contrasting perspective, emphasizing that critics often underestimate the complexity of teenage language. “The real issue here is that people object to kids having a good vocabulary for hip - hop and not for politics”, he states. “They have an articulate vocabulary for the kind of things they want to talk about. Academics don't get anywhere near measuring that vocabulary!”

(Adapted from Gateway)

Question 31. According to paragraph 1, experts have warned that teenagers ____________.

A. are addicted to communicating by using text messages

B. find it challenging to memorise words learned at school

C. can’t get a job easily because of their lack of vocabulary

D. become withdrawn and lack motivation to talk to others

Question 32. Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

It will target schoolchildren and she is asking celebrities to support her campaign.

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

Question 33. The word “inarticulate” in paragraph 2 can be best replaced by ____________.

A. too slow to react
B. bad at calculating

C. unable to express thoughts clearly
D. easy to be influenced by others

Question 34. The word “they” in paragraph 2 refers to ____________.

A. teenagers
B. cameras
C. words
D. celebrities

Question 35. Which of the following best summarises paragraph 3?

A. Tony McEnery’s study found that teenagers prefer using slang words, all of which are not able to be understood by the older generation.

B. Research by Tony McEnery showed that teenagers use a very limited set of words and invent slang terms unfamiliar to adults.

C. Tony McEnery’s research found that teenagers use a small number of common words in their speech and create exciting expressions.

D. According to Tony McEnery, teenagers' speech shows a strong reliance on common words, with few slang expressions.

Question 36. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

It's part of a wider anti-school culture that exists among some children which parents and schools need to address.

A. Though it belongs to a larger anti-school culture found in some children, parents and schools must work together to tackle it successfully.

B. Unless parents and schools take action, this will remain a component of the broader anti-school culture present among certain children.

C. This issue is a component of a wider anti-school culture observed in some children, and it requires action from both parents and schools.

D. Only if parents and schools act immediately will they prevent an anti-school culture from forming among some children.

Question 37. The phrase “stripping away” in paragraph 4 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. rejecting
B. detecting
C. removing
D. enriching

Question 38. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A. Tony McEnery was taken aback to discover some unusual slang words invented by teenagers.

B. According to Miss Gross, a multifaceted approach will help teenagers to use language effectively.

C. The campaign launched by Miss Gross aims at helping young people who struggle to use formal language.

D. David Crystal is at loggerheads with others on the understanding and assessment of teenagers' language abilities.

Question 39. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. The long-term impact of text messages on teen language has yet to be comprehended.

B. The anti-school culture is seen as a normal aspect of teenagers' development.

C. Society tend to undervalue linguistic skills outside conventional or formal standards.

D. Teens should be exposed to formal language daily so that they can talk properly.

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

A. Experts caution that teenagers' prevalent use of a limited “teenspeak” in digital communication, despite a larger vocabulary, risks unemployment, prompting Jean Gross to advocate for broader language use in education and at home.

B. Experts warn that teenagers' heavy use of textspeak and a narrow daily vocabulary could harm their future jobs, prompting Jean Gross to plan a campaign, though this concern is disputed by David Crystal, who sees their language as contextually rich.

C. Research highlights a discrepancy between teenagers' extensive vocabulary and their limited usage in digital communication, raising concerns about employability and prompting Jean Gross's nationwide campaign for richer language use in schools and homes.

D. Driven by fears that teenagers' “teenspeak” will impede their success, Jean Gross cited Tony McEnery’s research as part of her concern, but David Crystal, who highlights the complexity and context-specific nature of their vocabulary, challenged it.