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

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

Question 1. 

A. While many readers once relied on the daily paper for reliable updates, today’s audiences turn instead to digital platforms with convenient access.

B. In such a climate, the survival of any newspaper depends on its ability to adapt with modern models that preserve credibility while meeting digital demands.

C. This shift has led to shrinking circulation numbers and the closure of many local presses.

D. The decline of newspapers has become a defining feature of modern media.

e. Advertisers have also redirected their budgets towards online outlets, further eroding the financial stability of traditional journalism.

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

Question 2. 

A. It was such an eye-opening experience. Here, I met people from all walks of life and heard stories that inspired me deeply.

B. Giving back to the community has always been a value I hold, so I decided to volunteer at a local soup kitchen.

C. Since then, I’ve continued to seek ways to help more people and encourage others to join in the mission of giving.

D. Besides providing meals to those in need, the kitchen served as a place of hope, offering support and companionship to them.

e. Volunteering taught me the power of empathy and the importance of small actions in creating meaningful change.

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

Question 3. 

A.  Alex: How was your morning?

B.  Alex: I have. I’m sure it’ll be more exciting than the art class this morning.

C.  Jane: Not bad, thanks. We did an interesting experiment in science with Mrs. Ellwood. You’ve got her class after lunch, haven’t you?

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

Question 4. 

A.  Anna: Exactly. Even small actions like littering can disrupt ecosystems and harm wildlife.

B.  David: Right, so being responsible means limiting our impact, not just following rules.

C.  David: Hi. I’m visiting a protected area, but I’m not sure how to behave.

D.  David: So I should take out everything I bring in and avoid interfering with nature, shouldn’t I?

e. Anna: Well, I’ve read that visitors to such places are expected to stay on marked paths and avoid disturbing plants or animals.

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

Question 5. 

Dear Ms. Anderson,

A. In light of this, I would be grateful if you could consider my application.

B. I am writing to follow up on my application for the Research Assistant position.

C. Although I understand that candidates with hands-on experience will be preferred, I remain highly interested in contributing to your team.

D. Since submitting my application, I have completed additional training relevant to the role.

e. I look forward to your reply and would like to discuss any future opportunity that may arise.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Thompson

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

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 11 to 16.

THE OFFBEAT SARI EXHIBITION

        We are pleased to announce the opening of “The Offbeat Sari”.  This exhibition (11) ____________ a long-held assumption of the traditional and uncomfortable sari because it offers a new perspective on one of South Asia’s oldest garments. (12) ____________ proposed by Priya Khanchandani, the exhibition explores how the 5,000-year-old sari has been reinvented as a powerful symbol of cultural pride and social change.

        The sari’s flexible form, (13) ____________ is traditionally an unstitched drape, has enabled it to change and reflect different cultural influences over time. Today, designers are experimenting with (14) ____________ materials such as steel and recycled fabrics, giving the garment a more modern character.

        (15) ____________ 54 saris by India’s most renowned designers, the exhibition is organized into three sections: Transformations, Identity and Resistance, and New Materialities. These works reveal how the sari is not just clothing, but a way to express ideas about society. Far from passive or uncomfortable, the sari has emerged as dynamic, modern, and central to (16) ____________.

📍 Bunjil Place, Narre Warren                                        

📅 Now showing until August 30

(Adapted from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-29/)

Question 11.
A. objects
B. supports
C. challenges
D. maintains

Question 12.
A. Originality
B. Original
C. Originally
D. Origin

Question 13.
A. who
B. where
C. which
D. that

Question 14.
A. conventional
B. innovative
C. delicate
D. casual

Question 15.
A. Featured
B. Featuring
C. Being featured
D. Having featured

Question 16.
A. artistic conversation global
B. artistic global conversation

C. global conversation artistic
D. global artistic conversation

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 17 to 22.

CAT BA NATIONAL PARK – THE GREEN LUNG OF HAI PHONG

Discover Nature - Experience Adventure!

        Nestled on Cat Ba Island, Cat Ba National Park is a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve and one of Vietnam’s largest special-use forests. Covering over 17,000 hectares, it offers (17) ____________ unique ecosystems - from lush forests and mangroves to vibrant marine habitats - making it a true haven for nature lovers. The park is (18) ____________ to hundreds of plant and animal species, including the rare Cat Ba langur. Visitors can immerse themselves (19) ____________ a rich natural environment, where towering ancient trees, hidden caves, and crystal-clear waters bring nature to life. Whether you choose to venture into primary forests, paddle through mangroves, or dive into coral-rich waters, each experience offers a chance to (20) ____________ the beauty of nature.

        (21) ____________ its beauty, the park is also a living laboratory of biodiversity and a place where conservation takes centre stage. Visitors (22) ____________ to travel responsibly and help preserve this unique ecosystem.

👉 Plan your trip today and be part of nature!

(Adapted from https://visitvietnam.org.vn/en/experiences)

Question 17. 

A. a great deal of
B. a wide variety of
C. a huge number of
D. a large amount of

Question 18.
A. home
B. location
C. house
D. habitat

Question 19.
A. in
B. with
C. on
D. off

Question 20.
A. put down
B. catch up
C. take in
D. look into

Question 21.
A. Instead of
B. In addition to
C. Due to
D. In spite of

Question 22. 

A. are encouraged
B. encourage
C. have encouraged
D. encouraged

Read the following passage about a new payment technology 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 RISE OF PALM PAYMENT TECHNOLOGY

        Amazon One is an advanced payment method using palm recognition to identify customers. This biometric system scans both surface lines and vein patterns beneath the skin, creating a unique identification for each person. Users can register through their smartphones, connecting palm data to their accounts. Once enrolled, they can make purchases by simply holding their hands above scanners, eliminating the need for wallets or phones. The technology promises to transform how people shop in busy environments.

        Currently operating in over four hundred stores nationwide, including Whole Foods Markets, this solution extends beyond Amazon's own establishments. Various venues like sports arenas, airports, and dining establishments have begun implementing these scanners. The corporation emphasizes speed and efficiency as primary benefits, particularly in crowded locations where traditional checkout methods create bottlenecks. Additionally, potential applications include building entry systems, membership verification, and medical facilities, suggesting broader uses beyond retail transactions.

        Nevertheless, serious concerns surround this advancement. Security experts highlight fundamental risks with biometric information storage since compromised biological data remains permanent, unlike changeable passwords. Cloud-based storage amplifies vulnerability to cyberattacks, while questions about corporate surveillance persist. Many consumers lack a complete understanding of future data usage, creating transparency issues that regulatory frameworks have not adequately addressed yet.

        This palm-scanning innovation reflects movement toward touchless interactions and automated services. Success depends on balancing customer convenience against privacy protection requirements. While adoption continues growing, debates about ethical implications intensify. The outcome will likely influence how businesses handle personal identification going forward, potentially establishing precedents for biometric authentication standards across industries worldwide.

(Adapted from https://retail-innovation.com/al)

Question 23. Which information is NOT MENTIONED in the passage?

        A. Each palm scan takes a specific amount of time to process.

        B. The system has been used in sports arenas and airports.

        C. The technology scans both surface lines and vein patterns.

        D. Users can register using their smartphones.

Question 24. The word “their” in paragraph 1 refers to ____________.

A. enrolled users
B. users’ accounts
C. vein patterns
D. surface lines

Question 25. The word “bottlenecks” in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. unsteady streams
B. lengthy delays

C. smooth flows
D. operational barriers

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

A. enhanced
B. restricted
C. sustained
D. exposed

Question 27. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. The success of this technology will largely depend on delivering customer convenience while reducing privacy concerns as much as possible.

B. The future success of this technology will rest on meeting customers’ expectations for convenience without imposing excessive privacy safeguards.

C. For this technology to succeed, customer convenience must remain the priority, with privacy protection treated as a secondary consideration.

D. Whether this technology succeeds will depend on how well it manages the trade-off between user convenience and privacy protection.

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

A. Users are generally provided with sufficient information about how their biometric data will be stored and used.

B. Palm payment technology is rapidly becoming a dominant payment method across most retail sectors.

C. Palm payment systems significantly reduce concerns related to unauthorized access to personal data.

D. The potential uses of palm-based biometric identification may extend to various non-commercial domains.

Question 29. In which paragraph does the writer mention the broader impact this technology may have on future business practices?

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

Question 30. In which paragraph does the writer mention the vulnerability of biometric data to cyberattacks?

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

Read the following passage about the current energy crisis 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.

ENERGY SHOCK FALLOUT: WHICH ECONOMIES ARE MOST AT RISK?

        In many developing countries, the latest Gulf war has set off a scramble for energy. In Nepal, long queues for cooking gas have forced the government to limit supplies. In Sri Lanka, firms have been urged to shut on Wednesdays to conserve fuel. In Pakistan, schools have been closed and universities moved online. Households and governments are preparing for what the head of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, has called “the unthinkable”.

        When global energy supply is squeezed, poorer countries suffer most. As Europe subsidised energy to shield households, demand held up and prices stayed higher for longer. This, in turn, has shifted the burden onto importers with fewer reserves and less budget flexibility. The result is a crisis. With the Strait of Hormuz all but closed, the latest hit could be worse. (I)

        Pakistan and Egypt are among the most affected countries. (II) Pakistan spends some 4% of GDP on oil and gas imports, sourcing nearly 90% from the Middle East. Egypt spends about 3% of GDP and gets nearly half its supplies from the region. Both countries also rely heavily on remittances from the Gulf, which are worth around 5–6% of GDP. These inflows could fall if the war disrupts labour markets or forces migrant workers to return home. (III) A higher fuel bill can eventually tip into a financial crisis.

        Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also look vulnerable despite having less direct exposure. Bangladesh’s reserves barely cover three months of imports, and it is already on an IMF programme. Sri Lanka only recently emerged from its debt crisis in 2022, and its financial reserves remain limited. India, by contrast, is better placed to weather the storm. Its reserves cover about seven months’ imports, and it is more flexible in diversifying its energy imports. (IV)

        Even if countries avoid a macroeconomic crisis, the human toll could still be severe. Nitrogen fertiliser, made from natural gas, is becoming more expensive, raising the cost of food production across poor countries. The World Food Programme warned this week that the number of people facing hunger could reach record levels in 2026 if the conflict does not end soon. Stabilising currencies and paying for imports may help countries avoid a financial crisis. Keeping food affordable is another matter.                

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

Question 31. Which of the following is TRUE according to paragraph 1?

        A. Pakistan has managed to keep its education system running without disruption.

        B. Sri Lanka has increased fuel production to meet domestic demand.

        C. Governments in developing countries are taking measures to deal with energy shortages.

        D. The energy crisis has only affected households, not businesses or education systems.

Question 32. The word “shield” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ____________.

A. separate
B. defend
C. disclose
D. eliminate

Question 33. Which of the following best summarises paragraph 2?

        A. Rising energy prices are placing a heavier burden on poorer energy importers.

        B. Europe is now facing the greatest pressure from high energy costs.

        C. Energy subsidies in Europe have kept fuel demand higher for longer.

        D. The energy shock is affecting most economies in largely similar ways.

Question 34. According to paragraph 3, why are Pakistan and Egypt highly susceptible?

A. They benefit from remittance inflows and diversified energy sources that reduce their exposure to external shocks.

B. They depend greatly on energy imports and overseas income, both of which may be disrupted by regional instability.

C. They maintain strong financial reserves but remain vulnerable due to declining energy output.

D. They have limited access to global markets and depend mainly on domestic energy production.

Question 35. The word “which” in paragraph 3 refers to ____________.

A. remittances
B. imports
C. countries
D. supplies

Question 36. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

        A. Increasing fuel costs generally result in an immediate economic breakdown.

        B. Sustained increases in fuel costs can ultimately lead to a financial crisis.

        C. Financial crises often arise regardless of fluctuations in fuel prices.

        D. Extra fuel expenses are unlikely to pose a serious long-term economic threat.

Question 37. Which of the following economic conditions is NOT STATED in the passage?

        A. Greater resilience to energy supply disruptions in affected economies

        B. Limited budget flexibility in some vulnerable energy-importing countries

        C. Steady energy demand in European economies

        D. Escalating food production costs in poor countries

Question 38. It can be inferred from the passage that ____________.

        A. Higher energy costs may increase food insecurity in poorer countries by raising farming costs.

        B. Food shortages in poorer countries are mainly caused by falling agricultural productivity.

        C. Stabilising currencies alone is enough to prevent both economic and humanitarian crises.

        D. Countries with access to fertiliser are unlikely to face higher food production costs.

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

As energy prices rise and remittance inflows decline, countries face greater financial pressure.

A. (II)
B. (III)
C. (IV)
D. (I)

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

A. Stronger economies have become largely immune to global energy shocks through diversified energy strategies.

B. Middle Eastern countries are facing the most serious consequences because of their central role in global energy supply.

C. Global energy shocks are worsening instability, leaving poorer countries under financial and humanitarian pressure.

D. Rising energy prices are causing mainly temporary economic disruptions in developing countries.