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

Read the following announcement 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 1 to 6.

Global Icons 2025 – People Who Inspire the World

        The Global Icons 2025 Ceremony, taking place in Singapore this November, aims to honor individuals (1) ____________ contributions have changed millions of lives. This year’s theme, “Leading with Heart”, focuses on people who use their fame for social good.

        Among the winners is Vietnamese singer Le Mai, well-known for her charity concerts (2) ____________ to raise funds for underprivileged children. Her performances combine talent and compassion, showing that art can truly make a difference.

        Organizers hope the event will (3) ____________ young people to follow their passions and help others. Every story shared on stage is carefully (4) ____________ to remind audiences that success means more than wealth or power. The ceremony will also include workshops on leadership and creativity, offering (5) ____________ activities to engage future changemakers. These inspiring individuals prove that even small acts of kindness can (6) ____________ a big impact on the world.

(Adapted from Success Magazine)

Question 1:
A. whose
B. whom
C. that
D. who

Question 2:
A. organized
B. to organize
C. are organizing
D. organizing

Question 3:
A. motivated
B. motivating
C. motivate
D. motivation

Question 4:
A. to select
B. selecting
C. selection
D. selected

Question 5:
A. much
B. little
C. every
D. many

Question 6:
A. make
B. have
C. bring
D. take

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 13 to 17.

Question 13:

A.  Anna: I rarely watch TV now; I mostly stream shows online.

B.  Mark: So do I. It’s flexible, though TV still works well for live events.

C.  Mark: Do you still watch television regularly?

D.  Anna: Exactly. Each option offers something different depending on our needs.

e. Mark: That’s true. Traditional TV can still bring people together.

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

Question 14:

A. These changes reflect a broader shift in Riverdale from a quiet rural town to a more economically active urban center.

B. This transformation was further highlighted by the conversion of farmland into industrial zones, including several warehouses and manufacturing units.

C. Housing patterns changed considerably, as older cottages were demolished to make way for modern apartment blocks.

D. At the same time, commercial facilities expanded, most notably with the development of a shopping complex and an adjacent parking area.

e. Between 1995 and 2010, the northern edge of Riverdale experienced substantial redevelopment, signaling increased urban growth.

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

Question 15:

A. I spent hours practicing my presentation, hoping to impress both my teachers and classmates.

B. However, things did not go as planned when I became nervous and forgot several key points.

C. This experience taught me an important lesson and helped me grow more confident over time.

D. Taking part in the school debate competition was both challenging and inspiring for me.

e. Rather than feeling discouraged, I reviewed my mistakes and prepared more carefully for the next round.

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

Question 16:

A.  Sarah: Hi, Ben! It’s been ages since we last caught up. You look great!

B.  Sarah: Yes, I have! I started running every morning and switched to a healthier diet.

C.  Ben: Hi, Sarah! Thank you. You’re looking fantastic, too. Have you been working out?

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

Question 17: Dear Mr Johnson,

A. Please ensure that all required documents are submitted before the deadline stated above.

B. We are pleased to inform you that your application for the training programme has been successful.

C. The course will commence on April 15th and will run for a period of six weeks.

D. Further details regarding the schedule and materials will be sent to you via email shortly.

e. Failure to complete the registration process on time may result in the offer being withdrawn. Yours faithfully,

Training Department

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

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.

        Taking selfies, a cultural phenomenon, (18) ____________. A selfie is a self-portrait taken with a smartphone or camera. This trend has gained immense popularity, especially among younger generations, (19) ____________. The ease of taking and sharing selfies has made them a staple in modern communication.

        Selfies serve various purposes beyond just capturing images. (20) ____________. Additionally, selfies can be a form of self-expression, as individuals often choose specific angles, filters, and settings to convey their mood or personality. This ability to curate one’s image has led to the rise of social media influencers who rely on selfies to connect with their audiences and promote brands.

        However, the selfie trend is not without its criticisms. Constantly judged by others on social media, (21) ____________. Some argue that the obsession with selfies can lead to unrealistic beauty standards and a distorted self-image. (22) ____________.

(Adapted from Frontiers in Psychology)

Question 18:

A. in which the way people capture and share moments has changed

B. transforms the way people capture and share moments

C. which transforms the way people capture and share moments

D. transforming the way people capture and share moments

Question 19:

A. who use selfies to express their identity and showcase their experiences

B. use selfies to express their identity and showcase their experiences

C. express their identity and showcase their experiences through selfies

D. from whom the use of selfies for self-expression and showcasing experiences

Question 20:

A. A visual diary of significant life events is a typical example of many people’s vacations and celebrations

B. Using them to create a visual diary, vacations and celebrations are significant life events for many people

C. Vacations and celebrations lead to the creation of a visual diary of many people’s significant life events

D. Many people use them to create a visual diary of significant life events such as vacations and celebrations

Question 21:

A. inadequacy and low self-esteem may be developed by individuals

B. individuals may develop feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem

C. development of inadequacy and low self-esteem is a direct result

D. feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem can be experienced

Question 22:

A. Moreover, upon focusing on the perfect selfie, real-life experiences may be detracted, causing genuine moments to be overlooked

B. In short, genuine moments are overlooked so that excessive focus on the perfect selfie can’t be detracted from real-life experiences

C. Finally, focusing too much on the perfect selfie, genuine moments may be overlooked and detracted from real-life experiences

D. Lastly, excessive focus on the perfect selfie may detract from real-life experiences, causing genuine moments to be overlooked

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 23 to 30.

        Bicultural individuals live within two or more cultures and develop the ability to adapt their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to different settings. They often merge cultural values and combine them in daily life. Research shows that biculturals have many advantages, such as wider social networks, stronger awareness of cultural differences, and the ability to act as links between communities. More recently, studies also suggest that bicultural people display greater creativity and achieve higher levels of professional success.

        Carmit Tadmor, Adam Galinsky, and William Maddux conducted several studies to test how biculturalism relates to creativity and innovation. In one study, MBA students in Europe who had lived abroad were asked to think of creative uses for a brick. The bicultural students offered more ideas, showed more flexibility, and suggested more original solutions. A second study in the United States investigated how many businesses or new products students had created. Once again, biculturals produced more innovative results than others.

        A third study examined Israeli professionals working in the United States, particularly in Silicon Valley. These individuals had lived there for an average of eight years. The results showed that biculturals were promoted more quickly and enjoyed stronger reputations among colleagues. Their adaptability and ability to use different perspectives helped them succeed at work more effectively than non-biculturals.

        Researchers explained these advantages through a process called integrative complexity. This is the capacity to consider competing perspectives and then combine them into new, coherent ideas. Biculturals often show this skill naturally, which allows them to manage uncertainty, search for solutions, and create fresh connections. However, the studies also suggest that non-biculturals can develop this ability, for example through debate, where one must argue for different sides of an issue.

(Adapted from Harvard Business Review)

Question 23: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 1?

They often merge cultural values and combine them in daily life.

A. Different cultural values are often fused by them and reflected in their daily practices.

B. The trend of combining cultures and applying them to daily life is encouraged by them.

C. Integrating different cultures into their daily lives enables them to adapt more easily.

D. They often combine cultural traditions and live by them according to circumstances.

Question 24: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a benefit of biculturals?

A. Act as bridges between communities

B. Build broader social networks

C. Develop a heightened sensitivity to cultural differences

D. Experience improved psychological well-being

Question 25: The word “others” in paragraph 2 refers to ____________.

A. original solutions
B. businesses or new products

C. monocultural individuals
D. creative uses

Question 26: The word “reputations” in paragraph 3 could be best replaced by ____________.

A. positions
B. awards
C. achievements
D. status

Question 27: The word “coherent” in paragraph 4 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. bothering
B. confusing
C. outdating
D. ineffective

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

A. Though cognitive skills aid multicultural individuals in navigating cultures, they still need to manage uncertainty better.

B. The relationship between biculturalism and creativity is not limited to a single demographic or geographic area.

C. Though bicultural individuals show adaptability and flexible thinking, they remain restricted to a single perspective.

D. The longer individuals live in a multicultural environment, the more creative and professionally successful they become.

Question 29: In which paragraph does the author mention an important natural skill for multicultural individuals?

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

Question 30: In which paragraph does the author mention the success of multicultural individuals at work?

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

Read the following passage about the urban shift 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.

[I] Violent online content is now “unavoidable” for children in the UK. [II] Research from the media watchdog has found that many kids first exposed to it when they are still in primary school. [III] They included videos of local school and street fights shared in group chats, as well as extreme graphic violence with gang- related content. [IV]

Children were aware that even more extreme material was available in the deeper recesses of the web, but had not sought it out themselves, the report concluded. The findings prompted the NSPCC to accuse tech platforms of sitting back and “ignoring their duty of care to young users.” Rani Govender, a senior policy officer for child safety online, said: “It is deeply concerning that children are telling us that being unintentionally exposed to violent content has become a normal part of their online lives. It is unacceptable that algorithms are continuing to push out harmful content that we know can have pernicious mental and emotional consequences for young people.”

The research, conducted by the Family, Kids and Youth agency, was part of Ofcom’s preparation for its new responsibilities under the Online Safety Act, passed last year, which handed the regulator the power to crack down on social networks that are failing to protect their users, particularly children.

Gill Whitehead, Ofcom’s online safety group director, said: “Children should not feel that seriously harmful content is an unavoidable part of their lives online. Today's research sends a powerful message to tech firms that now is the time to act so they are ready to meet their child protection duties under new online safety laws. Later this spring, we will consult on how we expect the industry to make sure that children can enjoy an age-appropriate, safer online experience.”

Almost every leading tech firm was among those named by the children and young people interviewed by Ofcom, but Snapchat and Meta’s apps Instagram and WhatsApp came up most frequently.

Question 31. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Children have chosen to ignore the existence of violent content online.

B. There’s a growing concern about the impact of online violence on children’s mental and emotional well-being.

C. Tech platforms are fully compliant with the Online Safety Act and effectively protect children.

D. The prevalence of violent online content is largely due to children actively seeking it out.

Question 32. The word “pernicious” in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. beneficial
B. fascinating
C. supportive
D. extensive

Question 33. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. All children in the UK actively seek out violent content online for entertainment.

B. Tech platforms have successfully eliminated harmful content from children’s online experiences.

C. Every British child interviewed for the Ofcom study reported having watched violent materials online.

D. The NSPCC believes that children are unaffected by violent content on the internet.

Question 34. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. It is essential for children to believe that harmful online content is a natural aspect of their digital experience.

B. Children should embrace the idea that harmful content is a regular part of their online interactions.

C. Children must not consider exposure to seriously harmful content as something they cannot escape online.

D. It is important for children to accept that encountering harmful content online is inevitable.

Question 35. Where in paragraph 1 does the following sentence best fit?

Every British child interviewed for the Ofcom study had watched violent materials on the internet.

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

Question 36. Which of the following best summarises paragraph 2?

A. The NSPCC believes that children are too sheltered from online dangers and should explore more.

B. Tech platforms are failing to protect children from harmful online content, leading to unintentional exposure to violence.

C. Rani Govender supports the idea that algorithms are beneficial for children’s online experiences.

D. Children actively seek out extreme content online and are not affected by intentional exposure to violence.

Question 37. Which of the following best summarises the passage?

A. The NSPCC believes that children are overreacting to online violence and that tech platforms are doing enough to protect them.

B. The Online Safety Act has had no impact on the availability of harmful content for children in the UK.

C. Research shows that exposure to violent online content is prevalent among UK children, prompting calls for tech companies to enhance their duty of care under new safety regulations.

D. Children in the UK are actively seeking out violent content online and find it entertaining.

Question 38. The word “it” in paragraph 1 refers to ____________.

A. the media
B. primary school
C. research
D. violent online content

Question 39. The word “available” in paragraph 2 could be best replaced by ____________.

A. existing
B. durable
C. exciting
D. curable

Question 40. According to paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT a reason for children’s exposure to

violence?

A. Tech platforms neglecting their safety.
B. Algorithms pushing harmful content.

C. Active seeking of extreme material.
D. Unintentional exposure to violent content.