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

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.

FIFA World Cup 2026: More Than Just Football

The FIFA World Cup returns this summer for its 23rd edition, (1) ____________ football on the world stage in an unprecedented way. (2) ____________ the first time, 48 teams will compete across three host countries: the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will (3) ____________ on June 11 at the historic Estadio Azteca and finish on July 19 in New Jersey.

Across one month, 104 matches will bring people together in (4) ____________ dynamic cities. Beyond the games, host cities will organize cultural festivals, fan zones, concerts, and food markets that (5) ____________ local and international traditions. These cultural experiences may even (6) ____________ the show, helping fans connect beyond language and borders. By combining sport, culture, and community, this World Cup promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience that celebrates unity, diversity and the global spirit of football.

Adapted from: https://www.nbcnews.com

Question 1.
A. placing
B. that places
C. which is placed
D. placed

Question 2.
A. In
B. For
C. At
D. By

Question 3.
A. knock off
B. take off
C. put off
D. kick off

Question 4.
A. every
B. another
C. much
D. many

Question 5.
A. celebrate
B. establish
C. maintain
D. commemorate

Question 6.
A. rob
B. steal
C. seize
D. grab

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.

STAY SAFE ONLINE: A QUICK SECURITY GUIDE

Why Protection Matters

Your computer’s security is your first (7) ____________ of defense against malware such as viruses and spyware. (8) ____________ scans your system, identifies known threats, and removes them safely. (9) ____________, without regular updates, even the best software can become a ticking time bomb, unable to recognise new attacks.

Firewalls at Work

A firewall, either hardware or software, (10) ____________ all internet traffic entering and leaving your device. It blocks unauthorized  (11) ____________, stopping malware before it completes its task.

Smart User Habits

Always look out for emails from unknown senders. Suspicious links or attachments may cause your device (12) ____________ malware without your knowledge- delete them immediately. Remember, better safe than sorry.

Adapted from: https://www.bbc.co.uk

Question 7.
A. line
B. row
C. queue
D. rope

Question 8. 

A. Reliable antivirus software
B. Antivirus reliable software

C. Antivirus software reliable
D. Reliable software antivirus

Question 9.
A. Therefore
B. However
C. Otherwise
D. Moreover

Question 10.
A. observes
B. examines
C. monitors
D. oversees

Question 11. 

A. communicative
B. communicate
C. communication
D. communicative

Question 12.
A. installed
B. install
C. installing
D. to install

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 13 to 17.

Question 13. 

A.  Tom: That’s interesting! I prefer Science because experimenting in class makes learning more exciting.

B.  Tom: Which subject do you enjoy studying the most, and why?

C.  Daisy: I really enjoy History because learning about past events helps me understand the world better.

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

Question 14. 

A.  Smith: Yes, I’ve started cycling to work because it reduces my carbon footprint and keeps me fit.

B.  Peter: I agree, maybe I should start cycling occasionally instead of always relying on public transport.

C.  Peter: That’s impressive! I usually take the electric bus, which is convenient and much cleaner than regular buses.

D.  Peter: Have you considered using more eco-friendly transportation recently?

e. Smith: True, but I think biking is even better for the environment and it gives more freedom in traffic.

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

Question 15. 

Dear Sir/Madam,

A. In addition, I am interested in whether participants need any specific materials or prior experience.

B. I am reaching out to request more information about your upcoming life skills course.

C. Could you please also provide details about the enrollment process and important deadlines?

D. I would like to know the course schedule, fees, and the main topics covered, especially those related to communication, time management, and decision-making.

e. I would appreciate your assistance and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully,

Harry Kewell

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

Question 16. 

A. Whenever a method didn’t work, I adjusted my learning strategies to keep making steady progress.

B. I created a strict study schedule, reviewed my notes every day, so I wouldn’t sweep my weaknesses under the rug.

C. Over the past semester, I have made significant efforts to improve my academic performance, even when it meant going the extra mile.

D. Thanks to this consistent commitment, I can now see clear improvements in both my understanding of the subjects and my overall confidence.

e. Managing schoolwork alongside other responsibilities was often very challenging, but I strived to stay focused.

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

Question 17. 

A. Consequently, professionals increasingly seek careers in knowledge-intensive sectors, where adaptability, creative problem-solving, and cross-disciplinary skills are essential.

B. Against this backdrop of labour market transformation, new graduates face heightened competition, requiring a combination of technological competence and strong interpersonal skills.

C. This shift has led to a decline in labour demand in traditional sectors like manufacturing and retail, where routine tasks are increasingly automated.

D. At the same time, the rise of remote work and the gig economy has reshaped perceptions of job security, encouraging individuals to pursue diversified career paths and engage in continuous learning.

e. Employment patterns have shifted dramatically over the past decade due to rapid technological innovation and globalisation.

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

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.

Gen Z is redefining traditional career paths, placing flexibility and stability above conventional notions of promotion and status. Unlike previous generations, many young workers no longer see climbing the corporate ladder as the ultimate goal. Instead, they focus on long-term employability, financial security, and personal growth. Management positions hold little automatic appeal unless accompanied by meaningful compensation or benefits, highlighting how lifestyle, well-being, and work-life balance have become central to career decisions.

This approach is often described as the “career lily pad” mindset. Workers move from one role to another, gaining a variety of skills while avoiding putting all their eggs in one basket. Sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, and skilled trades are particularly attractive because they are less vulnerable to automation and rapid technological change. By carefully navigating opportunities, Gen Z employees balance risk and reward, building diverse experience while protecting their future prospects.

Side projects and parallel ventures are an important component of this strategy. Many young professionals use side hustles as stepping stones, acquiring skills and additional income while avoiding rigid, linear career paths. This flexibility allows them to pivot quickly when a role does not align with their values or goals. Far from being disengaged, Gen Z employees carefully choose where to invest their effort. They dedicate themselves to work aligned with their values and leave positions that fail to meet their expectations.

For employers, adapting to these preferences is essential. Mentorship, authentic leadership, and opportunities for development are valued far above flashy perks or high-status titles. Organisations that provide meaningful growth, flexibility, and financial independence are better positioned to attract and retain this generation. By understanding Gen Z’s approach, companies can create environments where young workers thrive, demonstrating that ambition today is less about climbing ladders and more about building sustainable, adaptable careers.

Adapted from: https://www.thehrdigest.com

Question 23. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as one of young people’s main goals?

A. climbing corporate ladder
B. long-term employability

C. financial security
D. personal growth

Question 24. The phrase “vulnerable to” in paragraph 2 can be best replaced by ____________.

A. affected by
B. resistant to
C. exacerbated by
D. immune to

Question 25. The word “rigid” in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. structured
B. solid
C. traditional
D. flexible

Question 26. The word “that” in paragraph 3 refers to ____________.

A. employees
B. expectations
C. positions
D. values

Question 27. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3

A. Rather than working on everything they desire to, Gen Z employees focus on tasks that are meaningful to them.

B. Gen Z employees randomly take on different responsibilities without considering how they align with their priorities.

C. Gen Z employees avoid any work that requires effort and only do easy tasks that bring quick rewards.

D. Instead of spreading themselves thin, Gen Z employees concentrate on work aligned with their priorities.

Question 28. Which of the following is TRUE according to paragraph 4?

A. Flashy perks and high-status incentives are described as central motivations keeping many Gen Z employees.

B. Young workers supposedly value financial independence and well-being less than traditional promotion routes.

C. Organisations offering mentorship, authentic leadership, and flexible growth options are likely to retain Gen Z.

D. Gen Z employees are portrayed as primarily motivated by prestigious titles rather than meaningful growth.

Question 29. Which paragraph explains why leadership roles are less attractive to Gen Z?

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

Question 30. Which paragraph mentions Gen Z taking on extra work outside their main job?

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

Earth’s climate has never been a static backdrop to human history; rather, it has oscillated continuously under the influence of forces both celestial and terrestrial. Long before industrial smokestacks pierced the skyline, temperatures rose and fell in measured cycles, paced largely by variations in Earth’s orbit and axial tilt. [I] These subtle astronomical shifts, unfolding over tens of thousands of years, regulated the advance and retreat of ice sheets and governed the rhythm of glacial and interglacial periods. Crucially, even at their most extreme, such natural fluctuations remained confined within relatively narrow thermal boundaries.

In popular discourse, the Sun is frequently portrayed as the prime suspect behind contemporary warming. Yet this narrative collapses under scrutiny. Satellite measurements spanning several decades reveal that solar output follows predictable cycles without exhibiting a sustained upward trend. Meanwhile, global average temperatures continue their steady ascent. The implication is difficult to ignore: although solar energy establishes the baseline conditions for life on Earth, it cannot account for the rapid and persistent warming observed in the modern era. [II] The Sun, it seems, has become a convenient distraction rather than a credible explanation.

Equally influential is the planet’s surface itself, which determines how incoming energy is absorbed or reflected. Ice and snow, with their high reflectivity, deflect a significant portion of sunlight back into space. As these surfaces diminish, darker land and ocean areas absorb more heat, intensifying warming through a self-reinforcing feedback loop. Volcanic eruptions occasionally interrupt this process by injecting aerosols into the atmosphere, temporarily dimming sunlight and cooling the planet. However, such episodes are fleeting, their climatic fingerprints fading within a few years. [III] They are interruptions, not drivers, of long-term change.

Carbon dioxide occupies a more complex position in Earth’s climatic history. Ice core records show that its concentration has risen and fallen in tandem with temperature, often amplifying changes initiated by orbital shifts. In the past, carbon responded; today, it leads. Human activities—chiefly fossil fuel combustion and deforestation—have propelled atmospheric carbon dioxide levels far beyond their natural range, and at a pace unmatched in geological records. [IV] This abrupt forcing has tilted the climate system away from its historical equilibrium, underscoring a critical distinction: while climate change itself is ancient, the current trajectory is both anomalous and overwhelmingly anthropogenic.

Adapted from: https://www.epa.gov

Question 31. According to paragraph 1, natural climate fluctuations were characterised by ____________.

        A. slow swings within the limited temperature ranges

        B. measurable oscillations exceeding historical climate bounds

        C. irregular shifts causing extreme environmental events

        D. gradual variations without predictable cyclic patterns

Question 32. The word “prime” in paragraph 2 is CLOSEST in meaning to ____________.

A. intentional
B. initial
C. principal
D. optimal

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

A. Satellite measurements show solar output follows predictable cycles, yet global warming continues steadily today.

B. Solar output cycles are regular, partially explaining the observed increases in global temperatures currently.

C. The Sun’s predictable cycles influence climate patterns, whereas temperature rises independently continue worldwide.

D. Satellite data confirm solar energy variations, while average global temperatures steadily rise over decades.

Question 34. What does the author imply by calling the Sun “a convenient distraction”?

        A. It is a distraction in climate science discussions.

        B. It diverts attention from human-caused climate change.

        C. It complicates satellite measurements.

        D. It exaggerates climate change driven by natural cycles.

Question 35. According to paragraph 3, which of the following statements about volcanic eruptions is NOT TRUE?

A. They inject aerosols that temporarily reduce sunlight, leading to short-lived global cooling effects worldwide.

B. Their climatic influence fades within several years, leaving no permanent alteration to temperatures patterns.

C. They drive long-term climate change by sustaining continuous atmospheric warming over centuries on Earth.

D. They interrupt warming trends briefly but do not replace dominant forces shaping modern climate.

Question 36. The word “fleeting” in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. confusing
B. momentary
C. permanent
D. periodic

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

“In the past, carbon responded; today, it leads.”

A. Historically carbon reacted to temperature changes, whereas today it actively drives climate trends.

B. Carbon emissions previously followed warming patterns, but currently warming responds to carbon increases.

C. In earlier climates carbon and temperature changed together, while modern patterns show carbon dominance.

D. Past climate shifts involved carbon responses, yet present carbon levels independently initiate warming.

Question 38. What can be inferred from the passage?

A. Human activity accelerated climate change beyond natural rhythms, overwhelming historical climatic regulatory mechanisms.

B. Natural cycles continue affecting climate, while human emissions increasingly shape recent warming patterns.

C. Current warming resembles certain past climate shifts, though differing significantly in pace and underlying drivers.

D. Feedback processes amplify warming, though similar mechanisms operated comparably during previous climate periods.

Question 39. Where does the following sentence best fit?

This contrast marks a fundamental break from the climatic patterns of the past.

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

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

A. Earth’s climate naturally fluctuated through long-term cycles, yet modern warming is anomalous, rapid, and driven largely by anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.

B. Earth’s climate has always fluctuated through natural cycles, with modern warming reflecting a rapid phase shaped by both long-standing patterns and rising carbon dioxide levels.

C. Natural climate cycles historically governed temperature change, while recent warming represents an anomalous acceleration of these cycles alongside increased carbon dioxide concentrations.

D. Earth’s climate system experienced recurring natural fluctuations, and present warming combines rapid temperature rise with familiar mechanisms involving carbon dioxide.