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

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 1 to 8.  

        Microplastics are now widely detected within the human body, yet their biological effects remain only partially understood. Some particles appear to become trapped in the mucus lining the airways and may be cleared before penetrating underlying tissues. Others, however, are capable of travelling further into the body. Evidence from tissue-based studies suggests that the lungs may serve as a major site of accumulation, highlighting inhalation as a significant route of exposure.

        Particle size is likely to play a decisive role in determining biological impact. Microplastics measuring less than 20 micrometres have been associated with inflammatory responses, while those under five micrometres may cross cellular boundaries and accumulate in multiple organs. Because such particles are not effectively filtered by the nasal passages, they can reach deep lung regions and become lodged there. Experimental findings in animals indicate that inhaled microplastics can disperse rapidly throughout the body and trigger inflammation across several organ systems.

        Shape, too, appears to influence toxicity. Fibre-like microplastics are considered particularly concerning, as their elongated structure may facilitate deeper penetration into lung tissue and prolong their persistence within the body. Once beyond the lungs, these fibres may enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system, where they have the potential to interfere with cellular processes. Similar concerns have long been associated with other microscopic fibres, although whether microplastics exhibit comparable toxicity remains uncertain.

        Beyond their potential to interfere with tissues, there's also the concern that microplastics often come with company. They are home to a broad range of bacteria, and may carry other contaminants too. It's been suggested that microplastics might act to amplify the toxicity of other pollutants in the environment. Taken together, these uncertainties point to a field of research that is still in its early stages, with many mechanisms yet to be fully understood.

(Adapted from https://www.bbc.co.uk/future)

Question 1. The word “trapped” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ____________.

A. captured
B. removed
C. produced
D. replaced

Question 2. Which of the following is NOT explicitly identified as influencing the biological impact of microplastics?

A. Their physical dimensions
B. Their structural form

C. Their chemical composition
D. Their pathway into the body

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

A. bacteria found in the human body
B. contaminants carried in the environment

C. microplastics present within the body
D. pollutants affecting the environment

Question 4. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

A. The inability of the nasal passages to effectively screen them allows these particles to penetrate and persist in deeper lung regions.

B. Because the nasal passages partially filter them, only a limited number of particles reach the lungs.

C. Despite being filtered by the nasal system, these particles still accumulate evenly across the respiratory tract.

D. The nasal passages direct these particles into deeper lung areas, where they are eventually eliminated.

Question 5. The word “elongated” in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. flattened
B. shortened
C. compressed
D. stretched

Question 6. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

        A. Microplastics are largely prevented from entering deeper lung regions by the nasal system.

        B. Fibre-like microplastics may remain in the body due to their structural properties.

        C. Microplastics have been proven to behave identically to other microscopic fibres.

        D. The health effects of microplastics are already well established and widely agreed upon.

Question 7. Which paragraph mentions microplastics acting as carriers of contaminants?

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

Question 8. Which paragraph mentions microplastics entering internal body systems and affecting cells?

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

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct order of the sentences or utterances to make a meaningful exchange or a coherent text in each of the following questions from 15 to 19.  

Question 15. 

A.  Anna: That makes sense! I prefer watching the news on TV in the evening.

B.  Ben: I usually check online websites because they are updated quickly.                

C.  Anna: What’s your favorite way to get the news?

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

Question 16. 

A.  Jake: That sounds like a great idea! I’ll definitely give it a try.

B.  Jake: What type of trees would you recommend then?

C.  Emma: You could consider planting fruit trees, as they are beneficial for the environment and can also provide you with fresh produce.

D.  Jake: I’m thinking of starting to plant some trees in my garden.

e. Emma: That’s wonderful, Jake! Planting trees is an effective way to support the environment.

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

Question 17. 

Dear Mr. Wanda,

A. I am particularly interested in your company’s marketing approach and believe I can make a valuable contribution to your team.

B. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my suitability for the position.

C. I am writing to apply for the position at your company.

D. With my experience in sales, I have developed the skills required to perform effectively in this role.

e. As the position closely matches my skills and career goals, I am eager to contribute to your organisation.

Sincerely,

Tam

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

Question 18.

A. I put in a great deal of effort, staying up late to prepare detailed lesson plans in the hope of delivering effective and engaging lessons.

B. The reality, however, turned out to be quite different, as I struggled to manage the class despite my best efforts.

C. This experience proved to be extremely valuable and gradually strengthened my confidence in pursuing a teaching career.

D. Working as an intern at a local high school inspired me to seriously consider teaching as a future profession.

e. Rather than feeling discouraged, I took time to reflect on my performance and made necessary adjustments in subsequent lessons.

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

Question 19. 

A. Regrettably, a growing number of natural habitats are being degraded or eliminated as a result of intensified human activities, including deforestation and rapid urban expansion.

B. It is therefore imperative to implement effective conservation strategies in order to preserve ecological balance and safeguard biodiversity.

C. In particular, these environments furnish indispensable resources, such as nourishment, shelter, and adequate space, enabling species to sustain and reproduce.

D. Natural habitats constitute a fundamental component in maintaining the viability and continuity of both flora and fauna.

e. For example, when forests are cleared for agricultural or infrastructural development, numerous species are displaced, often facing severe survival challenges.

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

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 20 to 29.  

        The contemporary site design landscape is navigating a precarious intersection of mounting technological demands and workforce instability. Engineering firms, often tethered to the constraints of outdated 2D CAD workflows, are facing significant operational challenges. These traditional processes—reliant on manual labor and suboptimal data sharing—create inefficiencies, resulting in attenuated productivity and a heightened susceptibility to costly errors. [I] An aging workforce and a shortage of skilled professionals have created a formidable expertise gap. The current over-reliance on engineers for both conceptual design and routine drafting create critical bottlenecks, which are exacerbated by the logistical complexities of collaborating across different global time zones. [II]

        Concurrently, the regulatory environment has become more labyrinthine, imposing stringent compliance standards that demand meticulous attention. This, combined with the industry’s shift toward integrated digital deliverables, forces organizations to undertake complex technological transformations. [III] In this high-pressure atmosphere, defined by tight deadlines and frequent client-driven revisions, the traditional, fragmented approach to project management is no longer sufficient.

        To succeed in this competitive milieu, forward-thinking firms are adopting solutions like OpenSite+. By prioritizing modern technology, these organizations not only improve their operations but also cultivate a compelling value proposition for tech-savvy, next-generation talent who seek to utilize the latest tools. OpenSite+ represents a paradigmatic shift in civil site engineering, designed to catalyze efficiency through intelligent automation. Central to its design is the AI Drawing Production feature, which addresses the pervasive challenge of tedious, repetitive documentation. [IV]

        By automatically handling tasks like annotation, labeling, and sheet layout, this feature removes the heavy manual burden traditionally placed on engineers. Consequently, the software facilitates a remarkable acceleration in project delivery, enabling firms to produce construction drawings up to ten times faster than conventional methods. By offloading these routine tasks to AI, OpenSite+ allows engineering professionals to transcend mechanical drafting, refocusing their energy on the analytical and creative problem-solving essential for modern site development. Ultimately, this integration transforms the workflow into a cohesive, data-driven process that supports superior design outcomes.

(Adapted from https://blog.bentley.com)

Question 20. The word “attenuated” in paragraph could be best replaced with ____________

A. boosted
B. enervated
C. perpetuated
D. reinforced

Question 21. Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

Furthermore, the industry is grappling with a profound demographic shift.

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

Question 22. What has aggravated the impediments by overloaded engineers?

        A. Enormous financial allocations on aging engineers.

        B. The geographical distance hindering global cooperation.

        C. A lack of sophisticated workforces lowering productivity.

        D. Obsolete applications used by engineers.

Question 23. Which of the following best summarises paragraph 2?

A. In the context of increasingly strict regulations and demands from customers, companies which fail to tailor themselves will be marginalized soon.

B. Albeit increasingly rigid standards and enormous pressure from clients’ interventions, conventional management approach still prevails.

C. The reluctance to changing by companies has exacerbated their stagnation in the increasingly demanding technological landscape, which requires incessant transformations.

D. The surge of regulatory frameworks and customers’ demands has obsoletized fractured management mindset and necessitated technological transformations.

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

A. vague
B. intricate
C. lucid
D. circuitous

Question 25. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A. The organizations employing advanced technology can generate mammoth attraction with potential job seekers who are competent in utilizing the latest gadgets.

B. State-of-the-art technology can allow the organizations not only to enhance their operations but also entrench inspiration for tech-savvy, who are proficient tech-users.

C. The corporations which aim at seeking next generation of engineers who are mostly tech-savvy are recommended to inject more into developing technology.

D. To maximize their operations, the companies need to reallocate their resources to researching and developing cutting-edge technology.

Question 26. OpenSite+ delegating routine tasks to AI can ____________.

        A. curtail workload burden on engineers, shifting their energy to fundamental tasks.

        B. curb wasted time on analyzing and establishing problem-solving plans.

        C. stimulate engineers’ inspiration with plentiful of data resources by AI.

        D. free engineers from physically manual tasks, which deplete their energy.

Question 27. The word “their” in paragraph 4 refers to ____________.

A. firms
B. tasks
C. professionals
D. outcomes

Question 28. What can be inferred from the passage?

A. Organizations whose technological capabilities are in line with the increasing demand from the market are more likely to yield enormous profits.

B. The shifts in the market’s demand can pose incessant complications, leading to inevitable innovations.

C. Companies are predicted to be in rigorous competition for the next generation of employees who highly appreciate latest technologies.

D. AI can boost productivity in design; however, it can lead to considerable redundancy of engineers.

Question 29. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?

A. The design domain is witnessing a wide range of obstacles, which is further compounded by the integration of AI and automation.

B. Companies fraught with issues ranging from lack of qualified designers to the increasingly demanding market are looking for changes to survive.

C. The design landscape is undergoing a wide range of technological reforms; OpenSite+ in integration with AI is an exemplar of future approach.

D. The increasing volatile market has catalyzed a competition among design companies to reach the most efficient process.

Read the following leaflet and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 30 to 35.  

GREEN ROOFS – AN URBAN TRANSFORMATION

        Architects have begun to promote green roofs as a viable solution (30) ____________ rising temperatures and energy demands. These installations involve covering rooftops with vegetation, thereby converting underutilized areas into multifunctional spaces. One of the key advantages lies in the creation of (31) ____________ rooftop gardens that can significantly improve urban living conditions. However, the success of such projects often hinges on the amount of rainfall the system is capable of absorbing during periods of intense precipitation.

        Despite financial constraints, many municipal authorities remain willing (32) ____________ in green infrastructure (33) ____________ its long-term environmental and economic benefits. Furthermore, while some buildings have already adopted this innovation, (34) ____________ continue to exhibit reluctance, often due to structural limitations or maintenance concerns.

        In addition to moderating urban temperatures, green roofs help to counteract the deleterious effects of air pollution by filtering particulate matter. They also contribute to (35) ____________ biodiversity, as they provide habitats for various species within otherwise inhospitable urban landscapes.

Question 30.
A. to
B. with
C. on
D. at

Question 31. 

A. attractive compact urban
B. urban attractive compact

C. compact attractive urban
D. attractive urban compact

Question 32.
A. investing
B. invested
C. to investing
D. to invest

Question 33.
A. regardless of
B. in place of
C. in view of
D. in spite of

Question 34.
A. another
B. other
C. others
D. the others

Question 35.
A. alleviating
B. fostering
C. hindering
D. ascertaining

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 36 to 40.  

        Each year, approximately $140 billion is spent globally on conservation, (36) ____________. Yet, for all that money, the public messaging around saving animal species and habitats is almost entirely dire. Although biodiversity loss is real and serious, the data do not support alarmist claims of global, catastrophic wildlife collapse and imminent ecological tipping points. (37) ____________.

        In response to the largest meeting of conservation scientists in Cali, Colombia, in late 2024, under the auspices of the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity, we reviewed scientists’ understanding of global efforts to stem biodiversity loss. Our work, (38) ____________, recognizes that, while there are gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity loss, conservation has prevented many extinctions and allowed some once-declining species to flourish. (39) ____________, and doing so in sensibly chosen and important locations.

        There are good news stories to tell: In critically surveying progress over the last 25 years, we see that conservation efforts have prevented extinctions, (40) ____________, and protected ever-greater areas of the planet, both on land and in the ocean.

(Adapted from https://foreignpolicy.com)

Question 36. 

        A. a sum comparable to the annual resources of the U.S. Energy Department

        B. a sum is comparable to the annual resources of the U.S. Energy Department

        C. which the annual sources of the U.S. Energy Department comparable to

        D. which the annual sources of the U.S. Energy Department is a comparable sum

Question 37. 

        A. Positively, they distract from practical, evidence-based conservation action

        B. However, practical, evidence-based conservation action is emphasized

        C. Consequently, they intensify practical, evidence-based conservation action

        D. Worse, they distract from practical, evidence-based conservation action

Question 38. 

        A. was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society

        B. published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society

        C. publishing in the Proceedings of the Royal Society

        D. which the Proceedings of the Royal Society was published in

Question 39. 

A. However, international efforts are fostered to protect ever-larger swathes of the planet

B. Moreover, international efforts are protecting ever-larger swathes of the planet

C. Ultimately, ever-larger swathes of the planet are being jeopardized, appealing for international protection

D. Furthermore, ever-larger swathes of the planet are being protected by international efforts

Question 40. 

        A. enabling some once-declining species to recover and flourish

        B. once-declining species have been enabled to recover and flourish

        C. species once-declining have been able to recover and flourish

        D. enabled some once-declining species to recover and flourish