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 10.

Despite the promises of hyper-connected urban life—where individuals live in proximity to thousands of others, surrounded by endless opportunities for engagement—a silent epidemic of loneliness has taken root. [I] While cities are engineered to maximize accessibility and interaction, their very architecture paradoxically engenders profound isolation. Tower blocks, transient populations, and fast-paced lifestyles diminish the depth of social ties. Ironically, even in coffee shops teeming with people or on subways crammed shoulder to shoulder, meaningful human connections can remain elusive. For many urban dwellers, the absence of community has become a quiet, chronic affliction, obscured by the hustle of modern life.

This phenomenon, while not novel, is escalating in scope and complexity. [II] With the rise of remote work, precarious gig economies, and digital-first communication, the traditional anchors of belonging—neighborhood familiarity, face-to-face routines, and physical gathering spaces—are fading. Algorithms increasingly curate our interactions, prioritizing efficiency over intimacy. Some urban planners contend that design decisions, such as prioritizing private transport over walkable public spaces, have indirectly engineered social detachment. This slow erosion of communal infrastructure rarely registers in policy debates, yet its psychological consequences are becoming undeniable.

Governments and public health bodies are beginning to acknowledge loneliness not merely as an emotional state but as a public health concern. [III] Studies have equated chronic loneliness with the risks of smoking and obesity. They link it to higher rates of depression, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality. In response, some cities have appointed “ministers of loneliness,” launched initiatives to retrofit social architecture, and even trialed “connection prescriptions,” where citizens are referred to local clubs, choirs, or group activities instead of medical treatments. However, critics argue that such efforts, while symbolic, often lack sustained funding or structural integration.

Still, addressing urban loneliness demands more than reactive programs. [IV] It calls for a fundamental reimagining of urban life—one that values depth over density, presence over productivity. This might involve reconfiguring city spaces to foster spontaneous interactions, investing in third places like libraries or community kitchens, and deploying digital tools in ways that augment—rather than replace—face-to-face interaction. If left unaddressed, the city may continue to expand in size and complexity yet shrink in human warmth and solidarity.

(Adapted from ResearchGate)

Question 1: According to paragraph 1, urban loneliness ______.

A. usually stems from convenience and interaction
B. is more commonly found in suburban rather than inner-city areas
C. brings about fewer opportunities for engagement
D. often occurs despite physical and social closeness

Question 2: Which of the following best summarizes paragraph 1?

A. Most city residents are unable to develop lasting friendships due to shifting demographics and relentless work pressures.

B. Although cities are built to foster social interaction, their very nature often leads to widespread emotional detachment.

C. Social isolation is a recent phenomenon, triggered largely by overpopulation and the disappearance of personal spaces in cities.

D. The rise of dense urban neighborhoods has transformed communal life into superficial interactions centered on individual productivity.

Question 3: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a contributor to urban loneliness?

A. Reduced face-to-face interaction B. Walkable public infrastructure
C. Remote and gig-based work D. Algorithm-driven communication

Question 4: The word “precarious” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ______.

A. unstable and insecure B. flexible but well-compensated
C. competitive and high-demand D. standardized yet unpredictable

Question 5: The word “its” in paragraph 2 refers to ______.

A. infrastructure B. policy C. erosion D. detachment

Question 6: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A. Persistent loneliness has been compared by researchers to health threats like smoking and obesity, due to its long-term impact.

B. While loneliness can affect health, researchers generally agree it poses fewer dangers than widely known habits such as smoking.

C. According to studies, the health consequences of chronic loneliness may rival those of behaviors like smoking and being overweight.

D. That chronic isolation contributes to poor health is acknowledged, though its risks differ in kind from those linked to lifestyle diseases.

Question 7: According to the passage, the introduction of “ministers of loneliness” in some cities is considered ______.

A. a symbolic gesture lacking long-term commitment
B. a radical policy shift in urban mental health funding
C. a short-term solution proven to improve relationships
D. an innovative program rooted in decades of research

Question 8: What can be inferred from the passage?

A. Despite increased attention, many proposed responses to urban loneliness still rest on the assumption that physical proximity ensures connection.

B. Recent government interventions have focused on correcting misconceptions about loneliness rather than reimagining how people interact daily.

C. The emergence of social isolation in urban life is often tied to individuals’ disengagement from traditional forms of shared activities.

D. Some structural and digital developments in cities have quietly limited the conditions under which meaningful relationships might naturally form.

Question 9: Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

“Yet for many, this awareness arrives only when the effects become too severe to ignore.”

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

Question 10: Which of the following best summarizes the passage?

A. Despite its emotional roots, the issue of loneliness in dense urban settings has been mitigated by targeted programs and increasing investment in community-centered solutions.

B. Urban architecture and technology have gradually redefined the meaning of connection, leading to a shift from physical proximity to emotionally fragmented interactions.

C. The growing awareness of isolation in modern cities has inspired local leaders to design social prescriptions and public spaces that restore collective intimacy in everyday life.

D. Despite offering social density, urban environments often weaken interpersonal connections, turning loneliness into a systemic issue that demands rethinking city design.

Read the following piece of news 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 11 to 16.

Hanoi Global Music Festival

Bringing together twelve international bands, the Hanoi Global Music Festival boasts the largest (11) ______ of performers in its history, promising to be the most vibrant (12) ______ to date.

StarVibe Productions, a company (13) ______ by Vietnam’s leading cultural agency, joins as a first-time organizer this year. With decades of expertise in event management, StarVibe is set to create an unforgettable show, positioning it among the (14) ______ contenders for delivering the festival’s highlight performance.

Running from June 15 to July 20, the festival offers a series of electrifying concerts, (15) ______ is expected to captivate audiences with world-class musical talent.

Over the past decade, the Hanoi Global Music Festival has enabled the city to (16) ______ its legacy as a cultural hub, attracting music lovers worldwide.

For more details, visit https://hanoimusicfest.vn/.

Question 11: A. array B. volume C. deal D. number

Question 12:  A. spectacle B. spectacular C. spectate D. spectacularly

Question 13:  A. supported  B. supporting C. to support D. has supported

Question 14: A. keen B. swift C. bold D. prime

Question 15: A. which B. where C. who D. whose

Question 16: A. draw on B. build on C. call on D. rely on

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 17 to 22.

How to Excel in Remote Work

To rise to the (17) ______ in today's flexible job landscape, mastering remote work is essential. These steps will help you succeed in a virtual workplace:

• Establish a routine: Stick (18) ______ consistent work hours. A structured schedule enhances productivity and maintains work-life balance.

• Leverage digital tools: Use reliable, cutting-edge collaboration platforms. These (19) ______ streamline communication and project management.

• Communicate proactively: Check in with colleagues regularly. This practice is critical to fostering team synergy.

• Diversify your skill set: Master one key software tool, then adopt (20) ______ relevant platforms. Expanding your technical toolkit strengthens your adaptability.

• Upskill continuously: Enroll in online courses to stay competitive, (21) ______ your expertise may lag in a fast-evolving job market.

These strategies will definitely (22) ______ you with confidence in remote work. Your diligent efforts will carve a path to professional success and open new doors.

(Adapted from Indeed)

Question 17: A. chance B. moment C. incident D. occasion

Question 18: A. with B. to C. of D. in

Question 19: A. workplace efficient solutions B. efficient solutions workplace
C. efficient workplace solutions D. solutions efficient workplace

Question 20: A. another B. others C. the others D. other

Question 21: A. nor B. but C. so D. or

Question 22: A. indulge B. express C. immerse D. endow

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 23 to 27.

The proliferation of international cuisines in major cities worldwide signals a significant cultural phenomenon. No longer confined to niche specialty stores, ingredients and recipes from across the globe now populate supermarket aisles and social media feeds, making the exotic feel accessible. As global supply chains have become more interconnected, this culinary globalization allows urban dwellers to sample dishes from distant lands, to experience foreign traditions through taste, to broaden their palates in ways that were once reserved for wealthy travelers, or (23) ______.

While this gastronomic diversity is often celebrated as a sign of cosmopolitanism, a viewpoint that champions cross-cultural exchange, it also raises complex questions about authenticity and appropriation (24) ______. A 'taco' filled with Korean-style beef or a 'pizza' topped with Thai green curry are prime examples of this fusion, sparking conversations about where inspiration ends and misrepresentation begins.

The adaptation of a traditional recipe to suit local tastes is a common practice, often necessary for a foreign dish to gain mainstream acceptance. (25) ______. Is a bowl of Phở still Phở if it omits key spices to appeal to a foreign palate? Questions like these are central to the modern culinary world.

(26) ______. This is not merely an abstract philosophical debate: it has tangible consequences for how a culinary business presents itself to the world. This dilemma is a matter not just of culinary integrity, which many purist chefs would argue is the most important principle, but also (27) ______ in a competitive global market.

Question 23:
A. daily participation in the vicarious life of another culture
B. that another culture vicariously participates in daily life
C. were vicariously participating in the daily life of another culture
D. to participate vicariously in the daily life of another culture

Question 24:
A. as chefs and entrepreneurs must constantly negotiate the line between homage and exploitation
B. although chefs and entrepreneurs must constantly exploit homage in the negotiation of this line
C. so that an entrepreneurial chef's constant negotiation is the line between homage and exploitation
D. if the line between homage and exploitation is not constantly negotiable for chefs and entrepreneurs

Question 25:
A. The intensity of the ongoing debate among food critics, however, is what identifies the point of a dish's cultural loss.
B. A dish's point, however, is to subject food critics to intense, ongoing debate about their own cultural identity loss
C. The loss of a dish's cultural identity is, however, a critical point in the intense, ongoing debate for food critics
D. The point at which a dish loses its cultural identity, however, is a subject of intense and ongoing debate among food critics

Question 26:
A. The significant challenge for restaurant owners, for this reason, is facing creativity and commerce
B. Restaurant owners, for this reason, are faced with a significant creative and commercial challenge
C. Creativity and commerce are significantly challenged by the reasons restaurant owners must face
D. The significance of this creative and commercial challenge is the reason restaurant owners must face it

Question 27:
A. the demanding adjustments of a viable commercial strategy are its dictates
B. of the strategic adjustments dictated by the demands of commercial viability
C. is a strategy that dictates the adjustments for commercially viable demands
D. a commercially viable strategy being the adjustment dictated by these demands

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text in each of the following questions from 28 to 32.

Question 28:

A. Sarah: I'm planning to start my own business one day. I've always wanted to be an entrepreneur.
b. Sarah: I'm interested in opening a coffee shop with a unique concept. I've already started
c. Alex: That's a great goal! What kind of business are you thinking about?

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

Question 29:

A. Tom: I'm glad you brought it up. I've been feeling that way too, but I wasn't sure how to say it.
b. Linda: I agree. Let’s plan something special this weekend, just the two of us.
c. Linda: Do you think we've been spending enough time together? I know we've both been really busy.
d. Linda: I've been feeling like something’s off between us lately. Is it just me?
e. Tom: Not really. I think we need to make more time for each other. Maybe we're both taking each other for granted.

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

Question 30:

Dear Mr. Smith,

A. Could you please review the updated report and let me know if anything else needs to be addressed?

B. I didn’t realize the error until it was sent, and I understand that it may have caused confusion during the meeting.

C. Please rest assured that I will double-check my work more carefully moving forward to prevent such mistakes
d. I am writing to apologize for the mistake I made in the report I submitted last week.

e. I take full responsibility for the oversight, and I have already revised the document to ensure that all the data is correct.

Sincerely,
David

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

Question 31:

A. It was eye-opening to see firsthand how small actions can contribute to preserving natural habitats.
b. One of the most impactful moments was witnessing the release of rehabilitated animals back into the wild, knowing that our efforts played a role in their recovery.

C. My experience with conservation started when I volunteered for a local wildlife protection project.
d. To sum up, it was a rewarding experience that deepened my appreciation for nature.

e. I was able to participate in various activities, from planting trees to helping monitor endangered species.

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

Question 32:

A. With the development of new treatments and technologies, diseases that were once incurable can now be managed or even eradicated.

B. Furthermore, innovations like telemedicine have made healthcare more accessible, allowing patients to consult with doctors remotely, especially in rural areas.

C. For instance, the discovery of antibiotics revolutionized the treatment of infections, saving millions of lives.

D. These changes have not only increased life expectancy but also enhanced the quality of life for many individuals.
e. The advancements in medicine have dramatically improved healthcare over the years.

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

Read the following 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 33 to 40.

Hygiene has played a vital role in human civilization throughout history. Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, were among the first to recognize the importance of cleanliness for health. They practiced bathing and used natural oils to maintain personal hygiene. The Romans even built elaborate public bathhouses, which became social centers for relaxation and sanitation. These early efforts showed an understanding that hygiene was linked to overall well-being.

During the Middle Ages, however, attitudes towards hygiene changed significantly. The spread of diseases like the Black Death led people to believe that bathing could make them more vulnerable to infections. As a result, frequent bathing became rare, and cleanliness was not prioritized. Many people relied on strong perfumes to cover body odor, while poor waste management in cities created unsanitary conditions. This lack of hygiene contributed to widespread illness and high mortality rates.

The 19th century marked a turning point in the understanding of hygiene with the rise of scientific discoveries. Pioneers like Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister demonstrated the link between germs and diseases, leading to improved medical practices and public health measures. The introduction of handwashing and sterilization in hospitals greatly reduced infection rates. Public awareness campaigns and government regulations began to promote better hygiene in everyday life.

Today, hygiene remains a crucial aspect of public health and daily routines. Advancements in technology have made access to clean water and sanitation facilities more widespread. People now understand the importance of practices like handwashing, brushing teeth, and proper waste disposal. The history of hygiene reflects humanity's ongoing efforts to protect health and prevent disease, proving its significance across time.

Question 33: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an ancient civilization that practiced hygiene?
A. Egyptians B. Greeks C. Indians D. Romans

Question 34: The word elaborate in paragraph 1 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ______.

A. complex B. sophisticated C. modern D. simple

Question 35: The word them in paragraph 2 refers to ______.

A. infections B. people C. diseases D. perfumes

Question 36: The word unsanitary in paragraph 2 could be best replaced by ______.

A. unhealthy B. unsuitable C. unusual D. unlikely

Question 37: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A. Promoting handwashing and sterilization in hospitals gradually decreased infection rates.
B. Imposing a ban on handwashing and sterilization in hospitals dramatically increased infection rates.
C. Discouraging the use of handwashing and sterilization in hospitals slightly increased infection rates.
D. Implementing handwashing and sterilization in hospitals significantly lowered infection rates.

Question 38: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. People in the Middle Ages believed bathing caused infections.
B. Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister linked germs to diseases.
C. Hygiene in ancient times was mainly about using perfumes.
D. The 19th century brought no changes to hygiene practices.

Question 39: In which paragraph does the writer mention a causal relationship that resulted in a decline in personal care habits?

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

Question 40: In which paragraph does the writer emphasize how improved living conditions have become more common in recent times?

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