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

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 1 to 6.

MACHU PICCHU: THE LOST CITY OF THE INCAS AND ITS TIMELESS LEGACY

Are you (1) ____________ by history? The iconic Machu Picchu stands 2,430 meters above sea level on the eastern slopes of the Andes and is a not-to-be-missed destination if you plan to (2) ____________ a holiday in Peru. Machu Picchu, the most (3) ____________ of the Inca civilization, continues to spark much debate about why it was built and later mysteriously abandoned. However, it is agreed that the mesmerizing religious, ceremonial, agricultural and astronomical sanctuary, (4) ____________ of around 200 structures, is a sight to behold. We bet you'll stop (5) ____________ the breathtaking views as you explore the ancient site. Unleash your imagination when you walk through its gates, temples and houses, and simply marvel (6) ____________ the Lost City of the Incas.

(Adapted from C21 Smart 11 Workbook)

Question 1.
A. fascinatingly
B. fascinated
C. fascinating
D. fascination

Question 2.
A. take
B. go
C. make
D. do

Question 3. 

A. significant cultural legacy
B. significant legacy cultural

C. legacy cultural significant
D. cultural significant legacy

Question 4. 

A. which comprises
B. comprises
C. comprising
D. comprised

Question 5.
A. to admiring
B. admire
C. admiring
D. to admire

Question 6.
A. at
B. to
C. in
D. for

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 17 to 21.

        The high living costs after Covid-19, especially in clothing and merchandise, (17) ____________. Years ago, buying second-hand goods was seen as unreasonable. Why would you want to pay for something that has already been used by a stranger? But now, it is a hot new thing that youths and adults are doing. It is clear that people have become more environmentally conscious. (18) ____________.

        Passing down clothes is not a new thing, and a person can then buy that item for half the price. Mrs. Bão Trân shared that today's youth liked to buy expensive clothes to show off in a couple of pictures, then they would sell them back to the store. She had even almost quit buying new clothes because she could just buy almost unused clothes in a store that sells them at a 90% discount or even less. (19) ____________. As 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced every year, the fashion industry is throwing away more clothes than ever before.

        Besides taking care of the waste, giving away or buying second-hand clothes also helps the needy (20) ____________. Starting as a Facebook page for selling second-hand clothes, (21) ____________. Volunteers can either donate their used fashion items to the shop to give to the poor or give them to the shop as free apparel. The only requirement is that the clothes should be in good condition.

(Adapted from Think 12)

Question 17. 

        A. which forced a lot of people to buy second-hand goods to make ends meet

        B. has forced a lot of people to buy second-hand goods to make ends meet

        C. have forced a lot of people to buy second-hand goods to make ends meet

        D. that forced a lot of people to buy second-hand goods to make ends meet

Question 18. 

A. Reducing fashion waste is not recognized because it is seen as less important than helping the disadvantaged

B. They realize that handing over clothes is a solution to reducing fashion waste and helping the disadvantaged

C. People are not aware that handing over clothes can help reduce fashion waste and support the disadvantaged

D. Knowing that handing over clothes is a solution, a reduction in fashion waste can help the disadvantaged

Question 19. 

        A. This practice is either good for the wallet or fantastic for the environment

        B. This practice is good for the wallet so that the environment can also benefit

        C. Not only is this practice good for the wallet, but it is also fantastic for the environment

        D. Being good for the wallet, the environment can also benefit greatly from this practice

Question 20. 

        A. who is struggling to survive during cold winters or to afford basic needs

        B. whose efforts during cold winters or to afford basic needs

        C. who are struggling to survive during cold winters or to afford basic needs

        D. lives during cold winters or has access to basic needs

Question 21. 

        A. charity money is now raised by an organisation through selling old clothing

        B. volunteers set up an organisation that sells old clothing for charity money

        C. an organisation now sells old clothing for charity money

        D. old clothing is now sold by an organisation for charity money

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 22 to 29.

        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 22. The word “restorative” in paragraph 2 is CLOSEST in meaning to ____________.

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

Question 23. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a service or amenity provided by the expensive "healing" resorts?

A. Private yoga classes
B. Organic nutrition plans

C. Sound baths
D. Meditation sessions

Question 24. 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 25. The word “its” in paragraph 3 refers to ____________.

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

Question 26. The word “sporadic” in paragraph 4 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. sudden
B. continuous                        C. expensive                        intense

Question 27. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

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

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

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

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

Question 28. Which paragraph mentions that the absence of noise is now marketed as an expensive product?

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

Question 29. Which paragraph mentions the use of holidays to preserve professional output?

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

Read of 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 30 to 35.

Join Our Community Gardening Program

* Are you interested in growing your own vegetables? If you’ve tried our workshops, you’ll want to sign up for (30) ____________ session! In our program, participants (31) ____________ to share tips and techniques for successful gardening. Each week, we focus on a different plant variety, providing you with the (32) ____________ you need for successful harvests.

* Our experts will guide you (33) ____________ the art of sustainable gardening. You'll also receive a starter kit that includes seeds, soil, and tools, making it easier for you to begin your gardening (34) ____________. We believe that a (35) ____________ of the benefits of gardening include a sense of community and the joy of growing your own food.

Question 30.
A. the others
B. other
C. Others
D. Another

Question 31.
A. make out
B. go down
C. come together
D. break in

Question 32.
A. tools
B. knowledge
C. weather
D. seeds

Question 33. 

A. with respect to
B. in light of
C. on behalf of
D. in search of

Question 34.
A. adventure
B. experience
C. project
D. journey

Question 35.
A. number
B. lot
C. portion
D. amount

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 36 to 40.

Question 36. 

A. My goal was simple: no phone, no laptop, and no social media from Friday evening until Monday morning.

B. I quickly found myself pacing the room, fighting a strong, almost physical urge to check my email or scroll through feeds.

C. The experience was a powerful reminder that I need to control my technology, not let it control me.

D. Feeling constantly distracted by notifications, I decided to attempt a full "digital detox" for an entire weekend.

e. Instead of giving in, I dug out an old book and went for a long walk, focusing entirely on the world around me.

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

Question 37. 

A.  David: It's a serious problem. The job opportunities are here, but they barely cover the cost of rent and transport.

B.  Maria: Exactly. And the financial pressure just makes it impossible to save money or even enjoy the city life we moved here for.

C.  Maria: Do you ever wonder if living in this city is still worth it, given how high the cost of living has become?

D.  Maria: I suppose it's a major trade-off. We gain career growth but sacrifice our short-term financial well-being.

e. David: That's the core issue. Even a small pay rise seems to disappear instantly on basic necessities.

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

Question 38. 

A.  Anna: Sounds good. Let's see what time the next showing is.

B.  Anna: I was really hoping we could finally see that new action movie tonight.

C.  Ben: Oh, I'd prefer something lighter, to be honest. How about that new animated film?

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

Question 39. 

Dear Customer Support Team,

A. My confirmation email stated a guaranteed delivery window of November 10-12.

B. I expect either an immediate shipment or a full refund for this order.

C. Furthermore, the tracking number provided (1ZA998...) has shown no movement or updates for the past four days.

D. I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction regarding my order #903-45B, which is now significantly overdue.

e. Please advise on how you will resolve this matter within the next 24 hours.

Sincerely, Alex Chen

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

Question 40. 

A. The cafe has now become the neighborhood's most popular spot, consistently busy from morning until night.

B. These combined efforts have dramatically improved the customer experience, resulting in glowing online reviews and strong word-of-mouth.

C. To tackle the service issue, the owner invested in a new espresso machine and hired two additional baristas.

D. Regarding the atmosphere, they also repainted the walls, updated the furniture, and curated a much better music playlist.

e. For years, my favorite local cafe struggled with two main problems: painfully slow service during peak hours and a dull, unwelcoming atmosphere.

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