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

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.

Apple: Design icons of the 21st century

Apple Inc. is recognized worldwide as a leader in modern design, creating icons of the 21st century. Its co-founder, Steve Jobs, (1) ____________ the company's revival in the late 1990s. He was a (2) ____________ leader who believed that technology could be both powerful and beautiful. Jobs (3) ____________ close attention to every single detail, from the product's shape to the elegant packaging. He wasn't just building computers; he wanted to create (4) ____________ truly intuitive user experience. This focus on (5) ____________ and elegance is still a core part of Apple's identity today. When the first iPhone (6) ____________ in 2007, it changed the industry forever and set a new standard for mobile devices.

Question 1:
A. leads
B. led
C. was leading
D. has led

Question 2:
A. accessible
B. ambitious
C. impressive
D. visionary

Question 3:
A. paid
B. made
C. took
D. gave

Question 4:
A. the
B. an
C. a
D. Ø (no article)

Question 5:
A. simple
B. simplify
C. simplicity
D. simply

Question 6:
A. came out
B. carried out
C. set up
D. gave up

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.

Question 13: 

A.  Linh: Hi, David! Long time no see. You look so confident!

B.  Linh: Yes, I have. I’ve been improving my communication skills and learning more about business

strategies.

C.  David: Hi, Linh! Thanks. You look really professional, too. Have you been working on any new projects lately?

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

Question 14: 

A.  Mia: Hey, have you started revising for the graduation exam yet?

B.  Sam: That’d be awesome. We could quiz each other and sort out the tricky topics.

C.  Mia: Perfect! Let’s meet at my place on Saturday and power through those practice tests.

D.  Sam: Yeah, I’ve been hitting the books hard, especially for math. It’s tougher than I thought!

e. Mia: Tell me about it! I’m freaking out over chemistry. Want to study together this weekend?

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

Question 15: 

A. For teachers, technology offers tools to design more flexible lessons, track progress efficiently, and provide timely feedback that supports individual growth.

B. At the same time, meaningful learning still depends on how these tools are used, as passive consumption can limit critical thinking and deep understanding.

C. Technology plays an increasingly central role in education by expanding access to information and learning opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.

D. When integrated thoughtfully, technology enhances education not by replacing teachers, but by strengthening the connection between instruction, practice, and real-world application.

e. Digital platforms allow students to learn at their own pace, revisit complex ideas, and engage with content through interactive formats that suit different learning styles.

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

Question 16: 

Dear Mayor Ramsbottom,

A. Can the council promise that these projects won’t harm the delicate balance of our ecosystem? I hope you will seize this opportunity to show your commitment to preserving our environment for future generations.

B. In our local area in recent years, urbanisation is happening rapidly and I’m sure many species will face the situation of having to adapt or die. It’s clear to see that the recently announced plans for new houses are going to lead to natural habitat loss in our area.

C. I wish to point out that, according to your campaign promises, this wasn’t supposed to happen. You had said urban development was going to be kept at a minimum to maintain the rural charm of our town, but this pledge was ignored.

D. As we lose more of our rural areas to urbanisation, animal species are likely to continue to suffer and some are sure to disappear completely in the future.

e. If these developments continue and no action is taken, the damage to our animals’ habitats will have become irreversible by the time they are completed.

Yours sincerely,

Felicity Barker-Hateson

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

Question 17: 

A. For example, a multinational corporation that prioritises cultural diversity in its workforce is better equipped to navigate international markets and build strong relationships with clients from different cultures.

B. This is the ability to effectively communicate and interact with people from various cultural backgrounds.

C. Cultural competence is crucial in today’s globalised world, where businesses often operate across borders.

D. Understanding and appreciating cultural diversity helps individuals and organisations develop cultural competence.

e. By embracing and celebrating the myriad of cultures that exist within our societies, we can enhance cultural competence and build resilience.

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

Read the following passage about Nosophobia 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 18 to 22.

        Nosophobia, also known as the fear of developing a particular disease, (18) ____________. This phenomenon, (19) ____________, manifests in individuals who experience extreme distress at the thought of contracting a specific disease. People suffering from nosophobia often find themselves consumed with irrational worry, even when they have no real evidence to support their fears.

        Motivated by sensationalized media stories, (20) ____________. The continuous flood of health-related headlines, particularly those that emphasize rare or severe illnesses, can intensify feelings of helplessness and dread. As a result, individuals with nosophobia may become hyper-aware of potential symptoms and overestimate their chances of developing these conditions. (21) ____________.

        In addition to the media’s influence, individuals with nosophobia often engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms to alleviate their concerns. These may include excessive online research, avoiding certain environments, or seeking frequent medical tests, all of which provide only temporary relief. (22) ____________. Over time, this pattern can lead to more severe mental health issues, such as generalized anxiety disorder or depression, if left unaddressed.

(Adapted from Healthline)

Question 18: 

        A. are a mental health condition impacting a large part of the population

        B. having constituted a mental health concern for a vast section of the population

        C. that describes a psychological state that influences a notable portion of the population

        D. is a psychological condition that affects a significant portion of the population

Question 19: 

A. causing by a heightened sensitivity to sickness and an overpowering sense of anxiety regarding one’s susceptibility to a range of diseases and health problems

B. which linked to an intensified awareness of health risks and a pervasive anxiety about one’s potential vulnerability to different medical conditions

C. attributed to a heightened sensitivity to illness and an overwhelming sense of anxiety about one’s vulnerability to various diseases and health conditions

D. which result from a stronger sensitivity to health concerns and a pervasive fear of vulnerability to various ailments and medical conditions

Question 20: 

A. health risks dominate contemporary news outlets, frequently exaggerating them to amplify public fear and anxiety

B. contemporary news outlets frequently exaggerate health risks, amplifying public fear and anxiety

C. governments frequently exaggerate health risks, amplifying public fear and anxiety through contemporary news outlets

D. it is common for contemporary news outlets to exaggerate health risks, amplifying public fear and anxiet

Question 21: 

A. This fear-driven cycle rarely causes obsessive health-checking, mitigating the emotional turmoil and constant alertness

B. Watching documentaries about medical breakthroughs, many people feel a sense of hope and curiosity

C. This emotional turmoil often results in a fear-driven cycle, which enhances constant alertness and obsessive health-checking habits

D. This constant alertness frequently leads to obsessive health-checking habits, intensifying a fear-driven cycle that worsens their emotional turmoil

Question 22: 

A. Searching for rare medical conditions late at night, some individuals may develop a false sense of expertise

B. Pursuing the fear of reassurance strengthens the consistency of threatening health

C. Seeking reassurance and control strengthens the fear of constant health threats

D. Looking for constant reassurance and control, threats to the health of fear

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.

        As winter approaches and energy bills continue to soar, consumers are being targeted by an insidious and dangerous scam involving “energy-saving plugs.” These deceptive devices, marketed under aliases like “eco-plugs” or “voltage regulators,” are insistently promoted on social media and through unsolicited cold calls. [I] They make spurious claims of curtailing household electricity costs by 30% or more by supposedly optimizing the flow of electricity. The marketing is often deceptively sophisticated, frequently bolstered by fabricated Trustpilot reviews and phony endorsements from supposed experts, creating a veneer of legitimacy designed to prey on vulnerable households.

        The reality, however, is that consumers face invariably negative outcomes. According to financial crime manager Siobhan Blagbrough, many victims are duped into paying hundreds for a gadget that simply never arrives. In other instances, a cheap, useless piece of plastic is delivered that has no discernible effect on energy consumption. [II] Blagbrough offers a simple logical test: “If a device really could cut energy bills by hundreds of pounds, it would be sold by major retailers and recommended by trusted consumer groups. The fact that it’s being flogged on social media or through cold calls is the red flag.”

        For those who do receive an item, the device itself often poses a significant physical danger. Consumer watchdogs like Which? have repeatedly found these items—sold widely online for under £10—fail basic UK safety standards. Forensic investigations reveal shoddy workmanship, poor-quality soldering, substandard components, and dangerously short pins that can snap off easily. These critical defects create a substantial risk of the devices overheating, which can easily precipitate house fires. [III] The items are therefore not just ineffectual; they are actively hazardous.

        The fraud also frequently functions as a pretext for more pernicious crimes. Criminals often use the purchase process itself as a ruse to harvest sensitive credit card details, perpetrating further financial fraud long after the initial transaction. [IV] Experts categorically advise consumers to disregard these offers. For those genuinely seeking to reduce energy consumption, the only prudent course of action is to invest in verified, effective measures. Focusing on proven solutions like improving home insulation, optimizing boiler settings, or installing smart thermostats is the only reliable way to achieve energy efficiency, and any fraudulent ads should be reported immediately to local trading standards offices.

Question 31: According to paragraph 1, the sophisticated marketing of the fraudulent “eco-plugs” is deliberately engineered to ____________.

        A. make spurious claims about optimizing the flow of household electricity

        B. be insistently promoted on social media and through unsolicited cold calls

        C. fabricate the Trustpilot reviews and supposed expert endorsements

        D. take advantage of the financial distress affecting susceptible consumers

Question 32: The word “spurious” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ____________.

A. unproven
B. exact
C. false
D. technical

Question 33: What key fact about the plugs’ retail availability indicates they are fraudulent, according to Siobhan Blagbrough?

        A. Their deceptively sophisticated marketing and phony expert endorsements.

        B. Their absence from the product lines of major, trusted retailers.

        C. Their dangerously poor workmanship and use of substandard components.

        D. The high price paid for a gadget that ultimately never arrives.

Question 34: The word “it” in paragraph 2 refers to ____________.

A. a device
B. energy consumption

C. a simple logical test
D. a piece of plastic

Question 35: What did investigations by consumer watchdogs reveal about the plugs?

        A. A low risk of the devices overheating and causing dangerous house fires.

        B. The widespread sale of these particular items online for less than ten pounds.

        C. A failure to meet basic electrical safety requirements due to poor construction.

        D. Their complete inability to reduce household electricity costs by any amount.

Question 36: Which of the following best summarises paragraph 3?

A. The actual devices delivered to consumers often pose significant safety hazards, seemingly reflecting a deliberate disregard for basic UK standards during manufacturing, which results in a considerable fire risk for unsuspecting households.

B. Poor-quality soldering and substandard components found in the energy-saving plugs appear to be a direct consequence of their low online price point, creating a situation where affordability inherently leads to considerable safety risks.

C. Consumer watchdogs find that a large number of energy-saving plugs, particularly those sold by unverified sellers, fail to meet basic safety requirements due to poor components, posing a significant and widespread fire risk for consumers.

D. When consumers actually receive items marketed as energy-saving plugs, the devices frequently constitute a serious physical threat due to substandard manufacturing uncovered in safety tests, posing a significant fire hazard.

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

A. Perpetrators often employ the payment procedure as a deception to obtain valuable card data, committing additional monetary crimes well past the original sale.

B. Further monetary crimes are often perpetrated by fraudsters long after the initial purchase, which is a method used to harvest sensitive credit card details.

C. Perpetrators frequently commit further financial fraud well past the original transaction, using it as a method for harvesting sensitive credit card details.

D. By perpetrating further financial fraud long after the initial sale, criminals often use the purchase process itself as a ruse, allowing them to harvest sensitive card details.

Question 38: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. Poor-quality soldering found inside fraudulent energy plug points toward their manufacture occurring in facilities with lax quality control.

B. The sophisticated marketing involved means even consumers knowledgeable about technology often fall prey to deceptive energy-saving claims.

C. The distribution channels used for fraudulent energy plugs, such as social media, are indicators that the products lack genuine credibility.

D. Reporting fraudulent advertisements to local trading standards offices acts as an effective deterrent against the spread of energy-saving plug scams.

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

“The plug, therefore, is merely the vector for a more severe violation.”

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

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

A. The widespread problem involving fake energy-saving plugs suggests a failure by social media platforms to police deceptive advertising, which allows criminals to target vulnerable households with ineffective, hazardous devices promoted via fake online reviews.

B. The ineffectiveness of fake energy-saving plugs is directly connected to their danger, as both problems stem from cheap manufacturing used to increase profits, making verified energy efficiency methods the smarter alternative choice for homeowners seeking savings.

C. Fake energy-saving plug scams are a growing threat due to clever marketing and weak oversight; the devices pose serious fire risks and fraud potential, indicating that stronger government regulation is the necessary response alongside consumer education efforts.

D. Fake energy-saving plugs are promoted via deceptive marketing, often leaving consumers with useless items or nothing, and delivered devices can also be dangerous, and the scam itself may enable further fraud, making verified efficiency methods the prudent choice.

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.

UPCOMING ASIAN URBANIZATION CONFERENCE 2026

Join us in Singapore (July 10-12) to discuss the future of Asia's cities! This conference will bring together experts, policymakers, and innovators. (7) ____________ discussion will be critical topics like sustainable infrastructure, affordable housing, and smart city technology.

• (8) ____________ its specialized focus, the conference welcomes attendees from diverse fields, including architecture, sociology, and environmental science.

• We will feature several (9) ____________ speakers who are global leaders in sustainable urban planning.

• (10) ____________ experts have confirmed their attendance, making this a premier networking opportunity.

• We aim to address the distinct (11) ____________ of green spaces in many densely populated urban areas.

• The main conference hall is conveniently located, just (12) ____________ throw from the central business district.

Register now to secure your place!

(Adapted from Various Sources)

Question 7:
A. At
B. On
C. Under
D. In

Question 8:
A. In case of
B. Instead of
C. In spite of
D. Regardless of

Question 9: 

A. young academic brilliant
B. brilliant young academic

C. academic brilliant young
D. young brilliant academic

Question 10:
A. Many
B. Much
C. A little
D. Every

Question 11:
A. restrict
B. deficiency
C. lack
D. absence

Question 12:
A. stone's
B. middle
C. nook
D. spot