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

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 1 to 5.

Question 1.

A. We need to change how we live and work, because small actions like using less energy and planting trees can help, even though the problem is very big.

B. Farmers face challenges because growing seasons are changing, and they must learn new ways to grow food when rain patterns are not the same as before.

C. Animals and plants are moving to cooler places when their homes become too hot, but some species cannot move fast enough to survive.

D. Some people who live near oceans worry about rising water, which might force them to move to new homes in the future.

e. Our world is getting warmer, and we can see changes in weather that affect how we live every day.

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

Question 2.

A. Personally, I think that you may be long-term friends with someone who is on the same wavelength as you.

B. I think opposites do attract, but those different qualities that attracted you at first can annoy you later!

C. On the whole, I don’t agree with that opinion.

D. I think people choose like-minded friends. That extends to physical appearance – if you have similar tastes, you may appreciate similar clothes and hairstyles.

e. It is sometimes claimed that opposites attract when it comes to friendship.

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

Question 3.

A.  Tom: I couldn’t agree more.

B.  Mary: Yeah. It’s so important to reduce waste.

C.  Tom: Let’s plan an eco-friendly class party. We could have everyone bring their own reusable plates and cups.

D.  Tom: How about instead of balloons, we have paper decorations that can be recycled?

e. Mary: I really love that idea. They are fun but they create a lot of waste.

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

Question 4.

A.  Mai: Would you prefer Korean kimchi or Japanese sushi?

B.  Mai: Sure! There’s a fantastic sushi bar downtown. I’ll take you there sometime.

C.  Tuan: I’d choose Japanese sushi. Do you know any good restaurants for sushi around here?

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

Question 5. 

Dear Stacy,

A. Greetings from Vietnam! At the weekend, Paul and I went to one of the oldest cities in Viet Nam called Hoi An.

B. The next morning, we went to a sandy beach near the city and had a relaxing swim.

C. We first walked around the charming streets of the old town.

D. Our visit to Hoi An was so wonderful that we did not want to leave.

e. In the afternoon, we visited a picturesque village called Tra Que, where we took a cooking class and learned how to make some local dishes.

Yours sincerely, Daisy

A. b – d – a – c – e
B. d – b – a – c – e
C. b – d – e – a – c
D. a – c – b – 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 6 to 10.

        On Sunday afternoon, food delivery rider Jim Adams, 18, (6) ____________. He'd been struck by a car while riding his bike. Despite his injury, Jim was most concerned about how he would support himself while unable to work. Jim, like many young adults, is a gig worker and was delivering an order when the accident happened. A 'gig' is a paid piece of work that people do, especially (7) ____________. Unlike regular employees, gig workers do not have benefits such as paid sick leave* and a minimum wage*. They have no job security, so their workload, and therefore their pay, is unpredictable. This makes budgeting impossible and means that gig workers can be exploited — when there are bills to pay, any job or any fee will do. (8) ____________, but it’s estimated that almost 25 percent of American workers are now employed in the gig economy and this is expected to rise. It’s difficult to wrap your head around such a statistic. So what’s the attraction? Well, there are plenty of people like Jim — a university student whose circumstances don’t allow them to work normal hours. They’re not happy about their lack of rights, but they have no choice but to do this kind of job. Equally, there are students who choose gig work because of the freedom it gives them to make their own decisions about when to wake up, when to work and how much work to take on. (9) ____________. So is gig work worth it for young people? Well, it’s convenient for students trying to balance work and study. It also helps to develop self-discipline* and a work ethic*(10) ____________. But there's a danger that, over time, the gig economy will normalize casual work and employment benefits will then become a thing of the past. And if you're injured on the job, like Jim was, bad luck … help won’t be at hand. You’ll be on your own.

(Adapted from English Discovery)

Question 6.

A. was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken leg.

B. was rushing to hospital despite a suspected broken leg.

C. rushed to hospital after breaking someone’s leg.

D. was rushed to hospital to have a broken leg.

Question 7.

A. because they are self-employed
B. so they are self-employed

C. if they are self-employed
D. if they were self-employed

Question 8.

A. You might think such work conditions would hold people back

B. You might think such work conditions would put people to work

C. You might think such work conditions would put people under pressure

D. You might think such work conditions would put people off

Question 9.

A. For them, gig work is a temporary problem

B. For him, gig work is a bad solution

C. For him, gig work becomes a difficult challenge

D. For them, gig work is a great solution

Question 10.

A. that will cause them serious problems later in life

B. which will have no effect on them later in life

C. that will stand in their way later in life

D. which will stand them in good stead later in life

Read the following leaflet 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 11 to 16.

THOMAS EDISON: THE WIZARD OF MENLO PARK

        Thomas Edison was a pioneering inventor and businessman who grabbed the headlines for (11) ____________ contributions to the development of electric light and power systems. He made significant advancements in technology, earning the title of “The Wizard of Menlo Park.” Edison aimed to light up (12) ____________ world with his innovative inventions.

        Early Life & Family

        Born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio, Edison was the youngest of seven children. His mother, a former school teacher, educated him at home after he (13) ____________ school. After that, (14) ____________ his ambitions, he developed a keen interest in science and technology.

        Legacy

        Edison’s impact on technology and industry is immeasurable. He is often credited with creating the first industrial research laboratory, which (15) ____________ how inventions are developed. Today, he is remembered as one of history’s greatest inventors, whose work influences others and (16) ____________ the future.

(Adapted from Asian Scientist)

Question 11.
A. her
B. my
C. your
D. his

Question 12.
A. no article
B. an
C. a
D. the

Question 13. 

A. learned about
B. dropped out of
C. succeeded in
D. struggled in        

Question 14.
A. instead of
B. in case of
C. because of
D. on behalf of

Question 15.
A. expanded
B. revolutionized
C. maintained
D. improved        

Question 16.
A. changes
B. develops
C. reshapes
D. captivates

Read the following advertisement 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 22.

COMMUNITY CORE: REIMAGINE BELONGING

        Local initiatives flourish when residents unite in (17) ____________ ways! Community Core unveils a(n) (18) ____________ that revolutionizes neighborhood dynamics. We celebrate stories (19) ____________ communities from isolation to vibrant connection. Our dedicated team remains versed in grassroots development, which fuels our revolutionary approach to building stronger neighborhoods.

        The platform enables neighborhoods (20) ____________ alive through collaborative projects, from local festivals to sustainability initiatives. The program instructs members to (21) ____________ monthly feedback about their experiences, ensuring continuous improvement. (22) ____________ our framework, we've witnessed elderly residents finding new purpose, young families creating support networks, and businesses strengthening local economies.

        Transform your community today: communitycore.io.

(Adapted from Community Core Guide)

Question 17.
A. meaningful
B. meaningfully
C. mean
D. meaning

Question 18. 

A. cutting-edge digital framework
B. digital cutting-edge framework

C. framework cutting-edge digital
D. framework digital cutting-edge

Question 19.
A. led
B. that are led
C. which lead
D. to lead

Question 20.
A. to coming
B. come
C. to come
D. coming

Question 21.
A. submit
B. make
C. bring
D. put

Question 22.
A. By
B. Through
C. On
D. With

Read the following passage about urbanisation 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 32.

        [I] Urbanisation refers to the increasing population shift from rural to urban areas, resulting in the growth of cities and metropolitan regions (Hall, 2014). [II] This phenomenon is driven by various factors, including economic opportunities, improved living standards, and social amenities available in urban centers. [III] As a result, urbanisation significantly impacts both individuals and communities, leading to a range of benefits and challenges (Davis, 2016). [IV]

        One of the primary advantages of urbanisation is the economic growth it fosters. Cities often provide a plethora of job opportunities, attracting individuals seeking better employment and higher incomes. In urban areas, businesses flourish due to increased demand for goods and services, leading to enhanced economic productivity. Moreover, urbanisation encourages innovation and technological advancements, as a dense concentration of people often fosters creativity and collaboration (Florida, 2017).

        However, urbanisation also presents significant challenges. Rapid population growth in cities can lead to overcrowding, straining public services such as transportation, healthcare, and education. Many urban areas struggle to provide adequate housing, resulting in the proliferation of informal settlements and slums. According to the United Nations (2018), nearly one billion people live in slums, lacking access to basic services. They also face adverse living conditions. This situation exacerbates social inequality and can lead to increased crime rates and health issues.

        To address the challenges of urbanisation, sustainable urban planning is essential. Governments and urban planners must prioritize creating inclusive, well-connected cities that provide access to essential services for all residents. Strategies such as developing affordable housing, enhancing public transport systems, and promoting green spaces can help improve the quality of life in urban areas while mitigating the negative impacts of urbanisation (World Bank, 2019).

(Adapted from Urbanization and Its Impact by Hall, Davis, and others)

Question 23. Where in paragraph 1 does the following sentence best fit?

Urban areas offer a wide array of social services that are often unavailable in rural areas.

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

Question 24. The word “plethora” in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. unlimited
B. specific
C. scarcity
D. abundant

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

A. urban areas
B. basic services
C. people
D. public services

Question 26. According to paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT a benefit of urbanisation?

A. Technological advancements
B. Economic growth

C. Job opportunities
D. Increased social inequality

Question 27. Which of the following best summarizes paragraph 3?

A. The growth of cities automatically improves living conditions for all.

B. Urban areas have ample housing options for all residents.

C. Urbanisation creates a range of challenges, including overcrowding and insufficient public services.

D. Rapid urbanisation has no impact on crime rates or health issues.

Question 28. The word “proliferation” in paragraph 3 mostly means ____________.

A. increase
B. stabilization
C. reduction
D. disappearance

Question 29. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Sustainable urban planning is crucial to addressing the issues arising from urbanisation.

B. Rapid urbanization has no effect on public services or living conditions.

C. Urbanisation exclusively benefits individuals with higher incomes.

D. All urban areas can easily provide adequate housing for their residents.

Question 30. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Creating well-designed urban areas requires collaboration between governments and city planners.

B. The planning of urban areas must not focus on environmental sustainability.

C. It is essential for governments to implement urban planning strategies to enhance city life.

D. Urban planning should prioritize attracting businesses rather than improving living standards.

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

A. Slums are a direct result of effective urban planning.

B. Urbanisation is a recent phenomenon that has minimal global impact.

C. Economic opportunities in urban areas lead to an equal distribution of wealth.

D. Sustainable urban planning can help mitigate some of the negative effects of urbanisation.

Question 32. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?

A. Urbanisation leads to job creation and economic growth, but also results in challenges such as overcrowding and social inequality that require sustainable urban planning to address.

B. Urban areas are perfect solutions for all rural problems, including housing and public services.

C. Cities provide the best quality of life without the need for any planning or development.

D. The shift from rural to urban living has little effect on economic productivity or community growth.