Read the following passage about Nosophobia and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate...

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.

Apple: Design icons of the 21st century

Apple Inc. is recognized worldwide as a leader in modern design, creating icons of the 21st century. Its co-founder, Steve Jobs, (1) ____________ the company's revival in the late 1990s. He was a (2) ____________ leader who believed that technology could be both powerful and beautiful. Jobs (3) ____________ close attention to every single detail, from the product's shape to the elegant packaging. He wasn't just building computers; he wanted to create (4) ____________ truly intuitive user experience. This focus on (5) ____________ and elegance is still a core part of Apple's identity today. When the first iPhone (6) ____________ in 2007, it changed the industry forever and set a new standard for mobile devices.

Question 1:
A. leads
B. led
C. was leading
D. has led

Question 2:
A. accessible
B. ambitious
C. impressive
D. visionary

Question 3:
A. paid
B. made
C. took
D. gave

Question 4:
A. the
B. an
C. a
D. Ø (no article)

Question 5:
A. simple
B. simplify
C. simplicity
D. simply

Question 6:
A. came out
B. carried out
C. set up
D. gave up

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.

Question 13: 

A.  Linh: Hi, David! Long time no see. You look so confident!

B.  Linh: Yes, I have. I’ve been improving my communication skills and learning more about business

strategies.

C.  David: Hi, Linh! Thanks. You look really professional, too. Have you been working on any new projects lately?

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

Question 14: 

A.  Mia: Hey, have you started revising for the graduation exam yet?

B.  Sam: That’d be awesome. We could quiz each other and sort out the tricky topics.

C.  Mia: Perfect! Let’s meet at my place on Saturday and power through those practice tests.

D.  Sam: Yeah, I’ve been hitting the books hard, especially for math. It’s tougher than I thought!

e. Mia: Tell me about it! I’m freaking out over chemistry. Want to study together this weekend?

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

Question 15: 

A. For teachers, technology offers tools to design more flexible lessons, track progress efficiently, and provide timely feedback that supports individual growth.

B. At the same time, meaningful learning still depends on how these tools are used, as passive consumption can limit critical thinking and deep understanding.

C. Technology plays an increasingly central role in education by expanding access to information and learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.

D. When integrated thoughtfully, technology enhances education not by replacing teachers, but by strengthening the connection between instruction, practice, and real-world application.

e. Digital platforms allow students to learn at their own pace, revisit complex ideas, and engage with content through interactive formats that suit different learning styles.

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

Question 16: 

Dear Mayor Ramsbottom,

A. Can the council promise that these projects won’t harm the delicate balance of our ecosystem? I hope you will seize this opportunity to show your commitment to preserving our environment for future generations.

B. In our local area in recent years, urbanisation is happening rapidly and I’m sure many species will face the situation of having to adapt or die. It’s clear to see that the recently announced plans for new houses are going to lead to natural habitat loss in our area.

C. I wish to point out that, according to your campaign promises, this wasn’t supposed to happen. You had said urban development was going to be kept at a minimum to maintain the rural charm of our town, but this pledge was ignored.

D. As we lose more of our rural areas to urbanisation, animal species are likely to continue to suffer and some are sure to disappear completely in the future.

e. If these developments continue and no action is taken, the damage to our animals’ habitats will have become irreversible by the time they are completed.

Yours sincerely,

Felicity Barker-Hateson

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

Question 17: 

A. For example, a multinational corporation that prioritises cultural diversity in its workforce is better equipped to navigate international markets and build strong relationships with clients from different cultures.

B. This is the ability to effectively communicate and interact with people from various cultural backgrounds.

C. Cultural competence is crucial in today’s globalised world, where businesses often operate across borders.

D. Understanding and appreciating cultural diversity helps individuals and organisations develop cultural competence.

e. By embracing and celebrating the myriad of cultures that exist within our societies, we can enhance cultural competence and build resilience.

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

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.

        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 23: The word “restorative” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ____________.

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

Question 24: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a service or amenity provided by the expensive "healing" resorts?

A. Meditation sessions
B. Sound baths

C. Organic nutrition plans
D. Private yoga classes

Question 25: 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 26: The word “its” in paragraph 3 refers to ____________.

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

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

A. continuous
B. sudden
C. expensive
D. intense

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

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

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

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

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

Question 29: Which paragraph mentions that the absence of noise is now marketed as an expensive product?

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

Question 30: Which paragraph mentions the use of holidays to preserve professional output?

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

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 31 to 40.

        As winter approaches and energy bills continue to soar, consumers are being targeted by an insidious and dangerous scam involving “energy-saving plugs.” These deceptive devices, marketed under aliases like “eco-plugs” or “voltage regulators,” are insistently promoted on social media and through unsolicited cold calls. [I] They make spurious claims of curtailing household electricity costs by 30% or more by supposedly optimizing the flow of electricity. The marketing is often deceptively sophisticated, frequently bolstered by fabricated Trustpilot reviews and phony endorsements from supposed experts, creating a veneer of legitimacy designed to prey on vulnerable households.

        The reality, however, is that consumers face invariably negative outcomes. According to financial crime manager Siobhan Blagbrough, many victims are duped into paying hundreds for a gadget that simply never arrives. In other instances, a cheap, useless piece of plastic is delivered that has no discernible effect on energy consumption. [II] Blagbrough offers a simple logical test: “If a device really could cut energy bills by hundreds of pounds, it would be sold by major retailers and recommended by trusted consumer groups. The fact that it’s being flogged on social media or through cold calls is the red flag.”

        For those who do receive an item, the device itself often poses a significant physical danger. Consumer watchdogs like Which? have repeatedly found these items—sold widely online for under £10—fail basic UK safety standards. Forensic investigations reveal shoddy workmanship, poor-quality soldering, substandard components, and dangerously short pins that can snap off easily. These critical defects create a substantial risk of the devices overheating, which can easily precipitate house fires. [III] The items are therefore not just ineffectual; they are actively hazardous.

        The fraud also frequently functions as a pretext for more pernicious crimes. Criminals often use the purchase process itself as a ruse to harvest sensitive credit card details, perpetrating further financial fraud long after the initial transaction. [IV] Experts categorically advise consumers to disregard these offers. For those genuinely seeking to reduce energy consumption, the only prudent course of action is to invest in verified, effective measures. Focusing on proven solutions like improving home insulation, optimizing boiler settings, or installing smart thermostats is the only reliable way to achieve energy efficiency, and any fraudulent ads should be reported immediately to local trading standards offices.

Question 31: According to paragraph 1, the sophisticated marketing of the fraudulent “eco-plugs” is deliberately engineered to ____________.

        A. make spurious claims about optimizing the flow of household electricity

        B. be insistently promoted on social media and through unsolicited cold calls

        C. fabricate the Trustpilot reviews and supposed expert endorsements

        D. take advantage of the financial distress affecting susceptible consumers

Question 32: The word “spurious” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ____________.

A. unproven
B. exact
C. false
D. technical

Question 33: What key fact about the plugs’ retail availability indicates they are fraudulent, according to Siobhan Blagbrough?

        A. Their deceptively sophisticated marketing and phony expert endorsements.

        B. Their absence from the product lines of major, trusted retailers.

        C. Their dangerously poor workmanship and use of substandard components.

        D. The high price paid for a gadget that ultimately never arrives.

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

A. a device
B. energy consumption

C. a simple logical test
D. a piece of plastic

Question 35: What did investigations by consumer watchdogs reveal about the plugs?

        A. A low risk of the devices overheating and causing dangerous house fires.

        B. The widespread sale of these particular items online for less than ten pounds.

        C. A failure to meet basic electrical safety requirements due to poor construction.

        D. Their complete inability to reduce household electricity costs by any amount.

Question 36: Which of the following best summarises paragraph 3?

A. The actual devices delivered to consumers often pose significant safety hazards, seemingly reflecting a deliberate disregard for basic UK standards during manufacturing, which results in a considerable fire risk for unsuspecting households.

B. Poor-quality soldering and substandard components found in the energy-saving plugs appear to be a direct consequence of their low online price point, creating a situation where affordability inherently leads to considerable safety risks.

C. Consumer watchdogs find that a large number of energy-saving plugs, particularly those sold by unverified sellers, fail to meet basic safety requirements due to poor components, posing a significant and widespread fire risk for consumers.

D. When consumers actually receive items marketed as energy-saving plugs, the devices frequently constitute a serious physical threat due to substandard manufacturing uncovered in safety tests, posing a significant fire hazard.

Question 37: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Perpetrators often employ the payment procedure as a deception to obtain valuable card data, committing additional monetary crimes well past the original sale.

B. Further monetary crimes are often perpetrated by fraudsters long after the initial purchase, which is a method used to harvest sensitive credit card details.

C. Perpetrators frequently commit further financial fraud well past the original transaction, using it as a method for harvesting sensitive credit card details.

D. By perpetrating further financial fraud long after the initial sale, criminals often use the purchase process itself as a ruse, allowing them to harvest sensitive card details.

Question 38: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Poor-quality soldering found inside fraudulent energy plug points toward their manufacture occurring in facilities with lax quality control.

B. The sophisticated marketing involved means even consumers knowledgeable about technology often fall prey to deceptive energy-saving claims.

C. The distribution channels used for fraudulent energy plugs, such as social media, are indicators that the products lack genuine credibility.

D. Reporting fraudulent advertisements to local trading standards offices acts as an effective deterrent against the spread of energy-saving plug scams.

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

“The plug, therefore, is merely the vector for a more severe violation.”

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

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

A. The widespread problem involving fake energy-saving plugs suggests a failure by social media platforms to police deceptive advertising, which allows criminals to target vulnerable households with ineffective, hazardous devices promoted via fake online reviews.

B. The ineffectiveness of fake energy-saving plugs is directly connected to their danger, as both problems stem from cheap manufacturing used to increase profits, making verified energy efficiency methods the smarter alternative choice for homeowners seeking savings.

C. Fake energy-saving plug scams are a growing threat due to clever marketing and weak oversight; the devices pose serious fire risks and fraud potential, indicating that stronger government regulation is the necessary response alongside consumer education efforts.

D. Fake energy-saving plugs are promoted via deceptive marketing, often leaving consumers with useless items or nothing, and delivered devices can also be dangerous, and the scam itself may enable further fraud, making verified efficiency methods the prudent choice.

Read 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 7 to 12.

UPCOMING ASIAN URBANIZATION CONFERENCE 2026

Join us in Singapore (July 10-12) to discuss the future of Asia's cities! This conference will bring together experts, policymakers, and innovators. (7) ____________ discussion will be critical topics like sustainable infrastructure, affordable housing, and smart city technology.

• (8) ____________ its specialized focus, the conference welcomes attendees from diverse fields, including architecture, sociology, and environmental science.

• We will feature several (9) ____________ speakers who are global leaders in sustainable urban planning.

• (10) ____________ experts have confirmed their attendance, making this a premier networking opportunity.

• We aim to address the distinct (11) ____________ of green spaces in many densely populated urban areas.

• The main conference hall is conveniently located, just (12) ____________ throw from the central business district.

Register now to secure your place!

(Adapted from Various Sources)

Question 7:
A. At
B. On
C. Under
D. In

Question 8:
A. In case of
B. Instead of
C. In spite of
D. Regardless of

Question 9: 

A. young academic brilliant
B. brilliant young academic

C. academic brilliant young
D. young brilliant academic

Question 10:
A. Many
B. Much
C. A little
D. Every

Question 11:
A. restrict
B. deficiency
C. lack
D. absence

Question 12:
A. stone's
B. middle
C. nook
D. spot