Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 1 to 6.

Extinction and habitat loss

Extinction is a natural process. Take the (1) ______ of the dodo. It simply wasn’t strong enough to survive. Ask people to name a species that has become extinct, and it’s always the dodo. However, the dodo went extinct over four centuries ago.

We are told that loss of habitat means that animals find it hard to survive. Animals and plants (2) ______ new surroundings: foxes learn to live in cities, camels and cactus plants survive in the desert, and polar bears live in the Arctic. Of course, there are always programmes on TV (3) ______ us how the ice is melting and the polar bears are finding it hard to survive, and warn of the dangers of oil and gas exploration destroying their habitat. But there is no reason why you can’t use the Arctic for oil and gas and still leave (4) ______ of space for bears. The people who want to stop this are just anti-big business. They just want to stop those of us (5) ______ work hard to provide oil and gas for the people of this world. The Arctic is a big place. There’s enough room for human beings and animals. People also claim that we are (6) ______ for climate change. They seem to forget that climate change has been happening for millions of years.

Question 1:
A. exemplary   B. exemplify   C. exemplarily   D. example

Question 2:
A. substitute for   B. enroll in   C. adapt to   D. suffer from

Question 3:
A. be showing   B. showing   C. showed   D. to show

Question 4:
A. plenty   B. bit   C. amount   D. deal

Question 5:
A. where   B. whose   C. who   D. why

Question 6:
A. accountability   B. account   C. accountably   D. accountable

Read the following article and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 7 to 12.

Do all humans and animals see color in the same way?

Research shows that color really does affect our minds and bodies. The color blue helps us to feel calm. Red, on the other (7) ______, can make us feel angry. Football teams seem to play better when wearing red. They are more likely to win matches than those wearing (8) ______ colors.

After analysing recent sales of works of art, a leading expert concluded that pictures with red in them fetch higher prices than those without.

Color is how our eyes (9) ______ light. It is the way our brain perceives mixtures of different light wavelengths falling on the retina of the eyes. Human vision is trichromatic – we have three (10) ______ (cones) in our eyes. These receptors are red, green, and blue, and each is designed to pick (11) ______ different wavelengths of light. People who are color-blind detect fewer colours as one type of receptor is not working properly.

Birds are tetrachromatic – they have four color receptors and see things that we see as red as many different shades of color. This is very useful for them (12) ______ searching for food.

Question 7:  A. neck   B. hand   C. art   D. cause

Question 8:  A. other   B. another   C. a little   D. much

Question 9:  A. offend   B. uplift   C. interpret   D. attribute

Question 10:  A. color different receptors B. different color receptors
C. different receptors color D. receptors different color

Question 11:
A. on   B. up   C. off   D. at

Question 12:
A. lest   B. if   C. while   D. yet

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

Question 13:

A. Michael: Hey, do you think there’s a big benefit to being ambitious these days?
b. Michael: Totally agree! It feels like ambition doesn’t just help us grow personally but also moves society forward.
c. Ella: Good question! I’d say ambition brings a lot of happiness because it pushes people to tackle challenges and pursue their dreams. That’s what makes life feel really fulfilling.

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

Question 14:

A. David: I know, but I don’t want to seem pushy.
b. Lucy: Why don’t you call your friend and talk things over?
c. Lucy: If you miss them, a phone call is worth a try. They might feel the same.
d. Lucy: However, sometimes reaching out first can make a big difference.
e. David: I’m not sure. We haven’t spoken in months.

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

Question 15:

Hi Kate,

A. While it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions right now, I want you to remember the incredible skills and talents that make you unique.

B. I truly understand that losing your job can be incredibly disheartening, but please know that you are not alone in this journey.

C. We’ll navigate through this tough time, and I have no doubt that brighter days filled with new possibilities lie ahead. Cheer up, girl!

D. Remember, this is just a chapter in your story, and your journey is far from over.

e. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and sometimes, setbacks pave the way for greater opportunities.

Write back soon,

Jullia

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

Question 16:

A. However, this change has also raised concerns about privacy and security.

B. To summarize, striking a balance between convenience and safety will define the future of digital communication.

C. As we embrace these innovations, it is essential to remain vigilant about the potential risks involved.

D. The rapid advancement of technology has transformed the way we communicate and share information.
e. Many people now rely on social media platforms to stay connected with relatives and friends.

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

Question 17:

A. Lay-offs can also result in a loss of valuable skills and experience, negatively affecting the company’s long-term performance and competitiveness in the market.

B. Therefore, it’s crucial for companies to approach lay-offs with sensitivity and transparency, providing support and resources to affected employees while also ensuring clear communication about the reasons behind this decision.

C. Lay-offs in big companies can have significant repercussions for both employees and the organization itself. The impact on employee morale and job security is a crucial consideration.d. Ultimately, addressing the lay-off issue in big companies requires a careful balance between organizational needs and employee well-being.
e. When layoffs occur, they create a sense of uncertainty and fear among remaining employees, leading to 

decreased morale and productivity.

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

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 18 to 22.

The widespread introduction of cultured meat, grown from animal cells in a lab, stands to disrupt millennia of agricultural tradition. This new food system entails the redirection of agricultural subsidies away from livestock, the creation of entirely new regulatory bodies, a task that in itself requires complex international cooperation, or (18) ________, a constellation of adjustments for a new food economy.

The potential environmental benefits—drastic reductions in land use, water consumption, and methane emissions—are well-documented. Such optimism, however, is not universally shared, and many remain deeply hesitant, (19) ________.

The key social challenge, however, is the displacement of traditional farming communities. (20) ________. An entire way of life, tied to animal husbandry and the land, would be rendered obsolete almost overnight, creating an economic vacuum for millions. (21) ________. Ethical arguments, which once focused on animal welfare, would need to be completely reframed around the implications of this new production method.

The public's eventual acceptance of cultured meat will be determined by its affordability and taste, which are the most obvious commercial hurdles, in addition to (22) ________ that addresses deep-seated human anxieties about food "naturalness".

(Adapted from Frontiers)

Question 18:
A. global land-use policies massively reassessing the scale of land
B. the reassessment of global land-use policies on a massive scale
C. in massively scaling the reassessment of global land-use policy
D. that the massive scale of global policies reassesses the land use

Question 19:
A. whereas the public is fundamentally alarmed by the perception of the "unnatural" product
B. insofar as the public perceives the product as "unnatural" and fundamentally alarming
C. provided that the public's perception of the "unnatural" product is a fundamental alarm
D. in case the product's "unnaturalness" is perceived by the public as fundamentally alarming

Question 20:

A. The establishment of these irrelevant roles would constitute a sudden, widespread, and significant societal shockwave
B. A significant societal shockwave would signify the sudden, widespread irrelevance of these established roles
C. The constitution of a significant societal shockwave is the sudden, widespread irrelevance of these established roles
D. A sudden and widespread irrelevance for these established roles would constitute a significant societal shockwave

Question 21:
A. Consumers must also confront the deep-seated cultural idea of what "real" food actually is
B. The confrontation with the actuality of "real" food is a deep-seated cultural idea for consumers
C. The culture of "real" food must also confront the deep-seated idea consumers actually hold
D. Also, consuming "real" food is, culturally, a deep-seated confrontation with the actual idea

Question 22:
A. a public narrative that compels the creation of transparency
B. the most compelling and transparent narrative the public creates
C. the creation of a compelling and transparent public narrative
D. which the narrative creates compelling public transparency

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.

A new social arena is solidifying in Vietnam’s affluent urban districts. Glass-walled fitness centers, charging exorbitant membership fees, are now conspicuous hubs for a specific, upwardly mobile demographic. Inside, sought-after personal trainers with regimented schedules guide clients through strenuous, highly specialized workouts. The prescribed apparel, often from prestigious international brands, is a functional uniform that also denotes commitment to a certain lifestyle. The ostensible objective surpasses rudimentary physical fitness. Assiduous participation in grueling classes becomes a tangible broadcast of professional status, personal discipline, and disposable income.

The pursuit of this bodily aesthetic is all-encompassing, demanding far more than just consistent gym attendance. The endeavor dictates a meticulous and often prohibitive nutritional regimen. Upscale juice-cleanse subscriptions, imported dietary supplements, and organic-only meal plans are ubiquitous within this social set. "Clean eating" is discussed with a specialized lexicon, replete with arcane terminology. Food consumed is rarely for simple sustenance; it is a fastidiously curated component of a personal brand. Countless images of artfully arranged, health-conscious meals are subsequently documented and disseminated on social media, garnering social validation.

An intense focus on physical optimization contrasts sharply with conventional concepts of health, which were often synonymous with the simple absence of illness. In the modern corporate milieu, being perceptibly fit is increasingly conflated with a high-performing career. A lean, sculpted physique implies a level of austere self-control, ample financial means, and a mastery of one's own time. The body itself becomes a credential. A powerful, non-verbal assertion of an individual's place in the prevailing social hierarchy has thus been established, visible to all.

An unmistakable social stratification accompanies such a trend. Entry into the rarified world of "wellness" is predicated almost entirely on substantial disposable income and considerable leisure time. A profound paradox is created. A construction worker or a farmer, whose occupation requires immense physical stamina and strength, is excluded from the contemporary "fitness" conversation. Their physical prowess is not aspirational because it is not commodified. The new, fashionable definition of health is not about intrinsic capability or longevity, but about participation in a very exclusive, commercialized, and visually performative lifestyle.

(Adapted from Vietnam Briefing)

Question 23: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 1?

A. The required clothing, frequently from elite global labels, serves as a practical uniform and simultaneously signifies dedication to a specific way of life.

B. The stipulated attire, often from high-end global names, is a practical garment which consequently indicates dedication to a particular mode of living.

C. In addition to signaling adherence to a certain way of life, the designated wear from top-tier international sources serves as a high-status outfit.

D. The mandated clothing, frequently from reputable global brands, is seen as a utilitarian outfit precisely because it signals commitment to a specific lifestyle.

Question 24: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a component of the costly, meticulous diet adopted by the upwardly mobile demographic described?

A. Juice-cleanse subscriptions B. Imported dietary supplements
C. Organic-only meal plans D. Private chef services

Question 25: The word replete in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ______.

A. defined B. filled C. derived D. replaced

Question 26: The word perceptibly in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ______.

A. subjectively B. unnoticeably C. physically D. constantly

Question 27: The word it in paragraph 4 refers to ______.

A. occupation B. strength C. physical prowess D. the conversation

Question 28: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The meticulous nutritional regimens common in this social set are designed to achieve the traditional health goal of avoiding illness.

B. The specialized terminology associated with "clean eating" was first developed by social media influencers to build their personal brands.

C. The modern definition of fitness excludes occupations requiring physical strength because that type of prowess is no longer considered aspirational.

D. A person's physical condition is increasingly interpreted as an implicit indicator of their professional standing and personal discipline.

Question 29: Which paragraph mentions that food choices are displayed online to gain affirmation from others?

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

Question 30: Which paragraph mentions that the new definition of fitness does not apply to physically strenuous jobs?

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

CHATGPT MAY BE ERODING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS?

A preliminary, not-yet-peer-reviewed study from the MIT Media Lab contends that habitual use of Large Language Models (LLMs) could prove deleterious to learning, particularly for younger users. The paper’s lead author, Nataliya Kosmyna, released the findings pre-emptively, citing profound apprehensions that society's adoption of LLMs for convenience might come at the cost of long-term cognitive development. [I] She articulated a pressing fear of precipitous policy decisions, such as a "GPT kindergarten," which she believes would have a pernicious impact on developing brains.

The study directed subjects to compose essays from SAT prompts. One cohort utilized ChatGPT, another relied exclusively on their intrinsic cognitive faculties, while a third used Google Search. The divergence in outcomes was stark. The ChatGPT cohort produced derivative, formulaic essays that assessors described as "soulless." Concurrently, their EEG scans revealed diminished executive control and attentional focus. [II] Conversely, the "brain-only" group manifested high neural connectivity in frequency bands associated with creative ideation and memory, reporting greater ownership and satisfaction with their work. The Google Search group's similarly active brain function highlighted a crucial distinction between traditional search protocols and AI-driven information synthesis.

The experiment's second phase, which focused on knowledge retention, accentuated the cognitive disparities even more starkly. When required to reconstruct their essays from memory, the former ChatGPT users faltered, exhibiting weak brain wave patterns indicative of a circumvention of deep mnemonic processes. "You basically didn't integrate any of it into your memory networks," Kosmyna observes. [III] In stark contrast, when the "brain-only" group was permitted to use ChatGPT for the rewrite, they demonstrated a significant enhancement in brain connectivity, implying that AI may function as a potent augmentation tool, provided it does not supplant the initial cognitive exertion.

Beyond the laboratory setting, these findings resonate with clinicians observing current trends. Psychiatrist Dr. Zishan Khan, for instance, expresses similar concerns, warning that such overreliance can cause essential neural pathways for information retrieval and resilience to atrophy. Kosmyna's team is now investigating AI's impact on software engineering, with findings that, even at this early stage, she describes as "even more severe," raising questions about the erosion of critical thinking in the workforce. [IV] While the scientific literature on AI's cognitive impact remains nascent, this study contributes a significant, cautionary datapoint to the discourse surrounding its integration into scholastic and professional spheres.

Question 31: According to paragraph 1, Nataliya Kosmyna ________.

A. suggests society delay LLM adoption until her study is peer-reviewed
B. chose to publish her work early because of some very deep concerns
C. attributes the pernicious impact of LLMs to their inherent convenience
D. has a pressing fear about the effects of a "GPT kindergarten" on policies

Question 32: Which of the following best summarises paragraph 1?

A. A preliminary MIT study posits that habitual LLM use could prove detrimental to learning, with its author publicizing the findings due to urgent fears about premature educational policies.

B. The lead author of a new MIT study has published early findings critical of LLMs, signaling a direct challenge to the policymakers and tech companies pushing for their rapid integration into schools.

C. An MIT paper expresses significant reservations about the role of LLMs in education, speculating that their widespread adoption might come at the cost of long-term cognitive skills for younger users.

D. A recent MIT paper acknowledges society's adoption of LLMs for convenience, while cautioning that this efficiency may involve a necessary trade-off with certain aspects of cognitive development.

Question 33: The word precipitous in paragraph 1 mostly means ________.

A. rash B. steep C. drastic D. experimental

Question 34: According to the passage, the "brain-only" group is mentioned as ________.

A. a cohort expected to have high connectivity in frequency bands associated with memory
B. an example of participants expressing increased pride and contentment with their ability
C. a group highlighting the distinction between creative ideation and their attentional engagement
D. a comparison group used to measure the specific cognitive influence of using external tools

Question 35: According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a potential cognitive downside of habitual LLM use?

A. Executive control B. Memory formation
C. Social-emotional intelligence D. Information retrieval

Question 36: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A. Former ChatGPT users struggled to rewrite their essays from memory, as their faint brain waves suggested a bypass of profound memory-making functions.

B. The weak brain wave patterns of former ChatGPT users were the direct cause of their struggle to recall their essays, suggesting a failure to engage deep memory.

C. As former ChatGPT users faltered when recalling their essays, their weak brain activity showed a subsequent circumvention of deep mnemonic processes.

D. Brain scans of the ex-ChatGPT users showed that their creative faculties had faltered, leading to a circumvention of deep mnemonic processes.

Question 37: The word its in paragraph 4 refers to ________.

A. discourse B. datapoint C. the study D. AI

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

A. Essays produced with ChatGPT's help, while formulaic, were likely sufficient to meet the basic scoring requirements for the official prompts.

B. The cognitive impact of AI language tools is not fixed, but depends on whether they are used to bypass or build upon initial mental exertion.

C. The research was undertaken with the express intention of shaping public policy regarding AI's integration into early childhood education.

D. The cognitive effects of LLMs are proving to be more pronounced in professional environments than within traditional academic settings.

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

By acting as a substitute for the brain's heavy lifting, the tool had prevented genuine knowledge encoding.

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

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

A. The use of LLMs reveals contrasting cognitive outcomes, indicating the technology is neutral, with its effects being a consequence of how a user chooses to apply it with responsible and disciplined intent.

B. A study on cognition finds LLMs act as a harmful crutch for initial creation but a beneficial tool later, simplifying the complex discourse surrounding their integration to a matter of proper timing.

C. The use of LLMs in creative tasks seems to present a cognitive trade-off, where the convenience of generating formulaic essays comes at the direct cost of deep knowledge retention and integration.

D. A preliminary study cautions that LLMs can impede learning and memory by replacing cognitive work, yet also shows they can enhance cognition when used as a tool after initial mental effort.