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...

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 35 to 40.

Gender Gaps in Education

A recent study from the UCL Institute of Education reveals that boys are now (35) ______ girls in maths and science, reversing previous trends. This challenges the long-held belief that boys are consistently falling behind. Dr Jennie Golding mentioned boys' confidence as a possible factor, which may help to explain their improved performance. Schools might consider adjusting (36) ______ of their teaching approaches to better support different learning styles.

(37) ______ girls appear to progress in education, women continue to face disadvantages in the workplace. The “motherhood penalty” causes a sharper decline (38) ______ earnings for women than for men after becoming parents. It's hard to deny the lasting effects of such inequalities, especially when the pensions gap increases the risk of poverty for older women. These realities should remind policymakers to look beyond school performance when evaluating gender equality.

Gender is just one part of the picture. Socioeconomic background and (39) ______ often tend to have a greater influence on academic outcomes. Still, overlooking the fact that boys are more likely to be excluded from school and less likely to attend university would be unwise. At the same (40) ______, encouraging girls to enter male-dominated fields like technology remains essential for breaking down stereotypes and expanding opportunities.

(Adapted from The Guardian)

Question 35: A. outperforming B. disseminating C. capitulating D. overshadowing