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 1 to 5.

The contemporary interest in minimalism is a conscious rejection of modern consumerism. Adopting this lifestyle often requires downsizing personal possessions, learning to distinguish "need" from "want", an internal dialogue that is often the most difficult part of the process, and (1) ________, actions that proponents claim are essential for reclaiming mental clarity.

While this philosophy promises freedom, a goal that is highly appealing in a chaotic world, the actual practice can become its own form of obsession, (2) ________. The focus can shift from "being more" to "owning less" in a competitive way.

Critics also point out that minimalism is often a luxury afforded only to those who have already accumulated significant wealth. (3) ________. An affluent individual choosing to own only three shirts makes a different statement than a person who can only afford three. (4) ________. This distinction is often lost in glossy social media portrayals of the lifestyle.

A truly mindful life, the intended outcome of the philosophy, is one where the pursuit of material goods ceases to be a measure of success, which is a radical departure from the modern norm, and (5) ________, a state of being that enables a focus on community and personal growth.

(Adapted from ResearchGate)

Question 1:

A. the deep meaning of material acquisitions rather than the mere prioritization of experiences

B. prioritizing deeply meaningful experiences over the mere acquisition of material goods

C. is materially acquisitive of deeply meaningful goods rather than prioritizing mere experiences

D. acquire material goods with deep meaning over merely experiencing or prioritizing them

Question 2:

A. before the relentless pursuit of owning less stress, ironically, becomes a new source of anxiety

B. unless relentlessly pursuing less anxiety and stress ironically becomes a new source of ownership

C. whereby the relentless pursuit of owning less ironically becomes a new source of anxiety and stress

D. supposing owning less ironically becomes the new source of relentless anxiety and stressful pursuit

Question 3:

A. It is the unspoken economic privilege required for such a choice that critics often cite as the lifestyle's central flaw

B. The lifestyle's central flaw is often critically cited as the economic requirement for such an unspoken choice

C. Critics often cite the unspoken requirement of economic privilege as the central flaw in choosing this lifestyle

D. The criticism often cited is that this lifestyle choice is centrally flawed by an unspoken economic privilege

Question 4:

A. The confusion between the aesthetic of minimalism and the ethics of simple living is a frequent surface-level interpretation

B. This surface-level interpretation frequently confuses the aesthetic of minimalism with the ethics of simple living

C. The ethical interpretation of simple living is frequently confused with the surface-level aesthetic of minimalism

D. Aesthetically, minimalism is frequently interpreted as a surface-level confusion over the ethics of simple living

Question 5:

A. is the discovery of non-material contentment in a new sense of value

B. where a new sense of contentment is discovered in non-material values

C. discovers a new sense of non-material contentment in valuing it

D. non-material values are the newly discovered sense of contentment

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 6 to 13.

The daily regimen for high school students in many societies has become unsustainable. A student's formal education is immediately followed by several hours of private, supplemental instruction. Evenings and weekends, once allocated for rest or personal pursuits, are now methodically scheduled with extra classes. An inordinate portion of adolescence is consumed by the grueling academic cycle, leading to widespread reports of student exhaustion and diminished well-being. The educational day does not end when school dismisses; it simply relocates.

The immense pressure of university entrance examinations perpetuates the phenomenon. A vast, lucrative parallel economy of private tutoring centers and individual tutors flourishes on parental anxiety. Public school salaries are often insufficient, compelling many teachers to offer after-hours instruction to augment their income. A tacit understanding exists among parents that the standard school curriculum is inadequate for achieving the scores requisite for competitive university admission, making extra classes a perceived necessity.

A pronounced social stratification is the result. Families with commensurate financial resources secure access to elite tutors, gaining a demonstrable competitive advantage for their children. Students from impoverished backgrounds are frequently unable to afford the requisite extra instruction. The discrepancy between what is taught in the public classroom and what is needed to excel on examinations becomes a formidable barrier. Private tutoring is no longer viewed as remedial or optional, becoming an essential component for academic advancement.

The normalization of such an untenable schedule has profound societal repercussions. The concession is that unstructured play, creative exploration, and adequate rest must be sacrificed for test-oriented memorization and repetitive drills. The psychological toll on adolescents is significant, yet the system persists due to the high stakes involved. The collective acquiescence to such a demanding cycle suggests a societal agreement that future economic security supersedes the present well-being and holistic development of its youth.

(Adapted from The Conversation)

Question 6: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 1?

A. An excessive part of youth is devoted to the demanding school schedule, a situation that leads to widespread student exhaustion and social withdrawal.

B. The demanding school routine takes up an excessive part of the teenage years, resulting in common reports of student fatigue and declining welfare.

C. Because an uninspiring academic routine occupies an excessive part of the teenage years, there are common reports of student fatigue and declining welfare.

D. Common accounts of student exhaustion and diminished academic interest are from a disproportionate amount of youth being spent on the tough school cycle.

Question 7: The word tacit in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ________.

A. official B. common C. unspoken D. new

Question 8: The word their in paragraph 3 refers to ________.

A. elite tutors B. families C. children D. financial resources

Question 9: The word remedial in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ________.

A. detrimental B. advanced C. intensive D. private

Question 10: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as an element of personal development that is forfeited due to the demanding academic schedule?

A. Unstructured play B. Creative exploration
C. Adequate rest D. Social relationships

Question 11: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The significant psychological distress in adolescents is connected to the high financial expenditures required for extra tutoring.

B. The societal acquiescence to this system stems from a belief that unstructured play has negligible value for future economic success.

C. The modern educational day has been lengthened, with supplemental tutoring often held inside public school facilities after hours.

D. A common parental perception is that state schooling fails to adequately equip students for admission into top-tier colleges.

Question 12: Which paragraph mentions that a teacher's low official pay is a reason for the spread of extra classes?

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

Question 13: Which paragraph mentions that the system favors students from financially advantaged families?

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

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 14 to 18.

Question 14:

A. I found a tiny studio apartment online and packed everything I owned into my small car for the long drive.

B. The first few weeks were incredibly lonely; I struggled with navigating the subway and the constant city noise.

C. That experience taught me that "home" isn't just a place, but something you have to actively build through community.

D. After graduating from university, I decided to move to a big city for better job prospects, even though I knew no one there.

e. Instead of just staying isolated in my flat, I joined a local sports club and started volunteering on weekends.

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

Question 15:

A. Anna: Yes, it's a daily battle. They insist they need their tablets for 'homework', but I always find them watching videos.

B. Ben: I know, but I also worry that if we ban them completely, they'll fall behind their friends who are all so tech-savvy.

C. Ben: Do you find it difficult to manage how much time our kids spend on their devices?

D. Ben: That sounds like a fair compromise. It's about teaching them balance, not just restriction.

e. Anna: That's a good point. Maybe the solution is not a total ban, but a strict "no-screen" rule during dinner and one hour before bed.

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

Question 16:

A. Mark: Good idea. I'll go check out that model this afternoon.

B. Mark: My old laptop is getting painfully slow. I think it's finally time for an upgrade.

C. Lisa: I've heard really good reviews about that new lightweight one that just came out. Have you considered it?

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

Question 17:

Dear Mr. Evans,

A. We were particularly impressed with your comprehensive portfolio and the thoughtful insights you shared during the interview.

B. We will, however, retain your application in our talent pool for six months and encourage you to apply for future roles.

C. While your profile is certainly strong, the hiring committee has decided to move forward with another candidate whose experience in B2B marketing more closely aligns with our immediate needs.

D. Thank you for your interest in the Marketing Coordinator position at our company and for taking the time to speak with our team.

e. We wish you the very best of luck in your current job search and future professional endeavors

Sincerely, Human Resources Department

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

Question 18:

A. E-sports is now recognized as a legitimate, highly profitable professional industry, far from its hobbyist roots.

B. These vital initiatives have helped create a much healthier and more sustainable environment for the athletes.

C. To address the physical decline, professional teams began hiring full-time nutritionists and physical therapists.

D. Simultaneously, to combat social isolation, organizations started investing heavily in team housing and mandatory group activities.

e. As competitive gaming evolved into a global phenomenon, it faced two critical challenges: the declining physical health of its players and their profound isolation.

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

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 19 to 28.

The daily act of purchasing food has become a source of considerable apprehension for many urban consumers. At bustling local markets, produce is piled high, appearing vibrant and unblemished. Yet, a pervasive skepticism lingers. [I] Shoppers meticulously examine items, questioning the unnatural sheen on a tomato or the uniformity of a batch of fruit. A deep-seated public anxiety has developed, rooted in the widespread concern over what is not visible. The fear pertains to the prolific and often unregulated application of chemicals in modern agriculture.

Economic pressures on small-scale farmers often incentivize practices that prioritize high yields over consumer safety. The quest for a rapid, visually perfect harvest can lead to the excessive use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, often applied improperly or too close to the harvest date. [II] Reports frequently surface of illicit chemical agents being used to accelerate ripening or artificially enhance the color of produce. Regulatory oversight for such a vast, fragmented agricultural system remains exceedingly difficult to enforce. Produce with high chemical residues, therefore, often enters the consumer market undetected, posing a significant public health risk.

In response, a parallel market for "organic" or "safe" vegetables has proliferated, with specialty stores charging a substantial premium for their products. Establishments of this kind promise transparency and traceability, appealing to a growing demographic of health-conscious, affluent shoppers. [III] However, a deep vein of cynicism persists among the general populace. The high cost of such goods makes them inaccessible to the average family. Furthermore, the opaque nature of "organic" certification itself is often called into question, leaving consumers dubious as to whether the expensive produce is genuinely safer or merely aspirational branding.

A corrosive lack of confidence in the national food supply chain has begun to permeate society. Families must navigate a daily, stressful gauntlet of decisions, attempting to mitigate invisible dangers in their own kitchens. The simple, communal joy of a shared meal is often overshadowed by discussions of potential contamination and safety concerns. [IV] The situation fosters a sense of helplessness, where the average citizen feels they lack the agency to guarantee the well-being of their own family, even with the most fastidious preparation.

(Adapted from ScienceDirect)

Question 19: According to paragraph 1, the anxiety shoppers experience at local markets is often caused by a disconnect between ________.

A. the act of carefully inspecting produce and the shoppers' underlying skepticism
B. the high volume of available produce and the rising cost of fresh ingredients
C. an item's pristine external condition and the fear of its invisible chemical treatments
D. the unregulated use of farm chemicals and the resulting health repercussion

Question 20: What actions do shoppers take in response to their skepticism at markets?

A. The purchase of premium-priced goods from specialty "safe" food stores.
B. The careful inspection of produce for unnatural visual characteristics.
C. The daily, stressful navigation of decisions to mitigate invisible dangers.
D. The improper application of chemicals too close to the harvest date.

Question 21: Which of the following best summarises paragraph 2?

A. Economic strains often compel farmers to use excessive or illegal chemicals to maximize yields, but enforcement challenges in a disjointed system mean this hazardous produce frequently reaches consumers.

B. The conflict stems from unethical farmers who knowingly use illicit chemicals to maximize profits, a practice that highlights the complete failure of the nation's fragmented regulatory oversight system.

C. Economic pressures on farmers, combined with their lack of technical knowledge on chemical application, lead to the overuse of pesticides, creating a situation where unsafe produce easily enters the market.

D. The difficulty in enforcing regulations in a fragmented system is a key driver of the conflict, as this situation allows illicit ripening agents to be widely used by farmers facing significant economic hardship.

Question 22: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a dangerous farming technique that farmers are driven to use due to financial hardship?

A. Applying pesticides improperly B. Using agents to accelerate ripening
C. Using chemicals to enhance color D. Using genetically modified seeds

Question 23: The word their in paragraph 3 refers to ________.

A. vegetables B. specialty stores C. chemical residues D. consumers

Question 24: The word corrosive in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ________.

A. undermining B. sudden C. widespread D. unjustified

Question 25: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. A feeling of disempowerment is created by the case, as common individuals feel they cannot safeguard their family's financial security, despite their careful foresight.

B. Even with the most careful arrangements, the context promotes a deep sense of anxiety, as the average person feels unable to promise their household's safety and stability.

C. Ordinary citizens feel incapable in the situation, lacking the power to guarantee their household's well-being, even with the most detailed financial planning.

D. The circumstance cultivates a feeling of powerlessness, wherein ordinary people feel they cannot ensure their family's welfare, regardless of their meticulous planning.

Question 26: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. The high premium charged for "organic" produce is attributed to the complex and expensive certification processes required for verification.

B. Economic pressures on small farmers often necessitate the improper application of chemicals simply to achieve a commercially viable harvest.

C. The unnatural appearance of some produce, such as its uniform shape or color, is a reliable way to identify items with high chemical residues.

D. The "organic" market's high prices and ambiguous certification fail to assuage the general public's underlying apprehension over food safety.

Question 27: Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

The act of providing sustenance is thus fraught with unavoidable uncertainty.

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

Question 28: Which of the following best summarises the passage?

A. The irresponsible practices of small-scale farmers using chemicals, combined with the deceptive branding of "organic" stores, have created a public health crisis, eroding societal trust and leaving consumers feeling anxious and unprotected by the system.

B. Pervasive anxiety over food safety, caused by unregulated chemical use and cynicism toward "organic" certifications, highlights a strong need for a new government-led system of traceability to restore confidence in the national food supply.

C. The public's loss of confidence in the food supply, driven by chemical overuse and cynicism toward organic options, represents a positive shift in consumer awareness that will force the agricultural industry to become more transparent and safer.

D. Widespread anxiety over agricultural chemical use, driven by regulatory gaps and farm-level pressures, has damaged public trust, and even premium organic alternatives are met with cynicism, leaving families feeling helpless and unprotected.

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 29 to 34.

Da Lat Flower Festival: The City of Eternal Spring

Held biennially, the Da Lat Flower Festival is a major cultural and tourism event in the Central Highlands. The festival attracts a vast (29) ________ of visitors, who come to admire the city's beauty. A central theme of the event is to promote Da Lat as a hub for agriculture, tourism, and (30) ________ exchange.

The main streets are transformed by elaborate displays of flowers, (31) ________ meticulously by local artisans. The entire city of Da Lat, (32) ________ is often called the "City of Eternal Spring," becomes a vibrant canvas of color.

Many describe the atmosphere as truly (33) ________, with flower-themed exhibitions, light shows, and street carnivals creating a dream-like feel. The event is also a significant opportunity for local farmers and businesses to (34) ________ their unique agricultural products to the world.

(Adapted from Vietnam News)

Question 29: A. band B. school C. array D. flock

Question 30: A. culture B. cultural C. culturally D. cultured

Question 31: A. arranged B. arranging C. have arranged D. are arranged

Question 32: A. who B. which C. where D. whom

Question 33: A. ephemeral B. ethereal C. ecstatic D. elusive

Question 34: A. check off B. wear off C. switch off D. show off

Read the following text 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 35 to 40.

How to Spot Misinformation

In today's digital landscape, misinformation spreads faster than any virus. We must all learn to critically evaluate the content we consume, (35) ________ we risk becoming unintentional spreaders of falsehoods.

The first step is to check the source. We must learn to be acutely attuned (36) ________ our own confirmation bias, which is the tendency to favor information that confirms our pre-existing beliefs.

When you see a sensational story, pause. Be skeptical of (37) ________, especially if it evokes a strong emotional response. Before sharing, try to find (38) ________ other reputable outlets reporting the same facts.

We must actively (39) ________ ourselves against the subtle manipulation used in propaganda by seeking out diverse perspectives. It is a shared responsibility to maintain a healthy information ecosystem. Don't be the one who adds fuel to the (40) ________.

(Adapted from WikiHow)

Question 35:
A. or B. so C. yet D. and

Question 36:
A. with B. in C. to D. for

Question 37:
A. shocking viral video B. viral shocking video

C. video viral shocking D. shocking video viral

Question 38:
A. many B. much C. little D. every

Question 39:
A. rally B. inoculate C. isolate D. insulate

Question 40:
A. flame B. heat C. fire D. smoke