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...

Question 2: The word awash in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ______.

A. devoid B. critical C. obsessed D. connected

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

A. The contention among detractors is that athletic arenas have regressed into simple stages for fashion exhibition, with flashy attire outweighing sporting exertion.

B. Athletic venues are said by commentators to have degraded into mere settings for style presentation, where expensive gear matters more than sporting endeavor.

C. In the eyes of some renowned observers, the courts have evolved into simple backgrounds for clothing showcases, favoring gaudy sportswear above athletic hard work.

D. What some are arguing is that venues have become simple platforms for displaying clothing, where showy gear overshadows player capability rather than effort.

Question 4: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a positive effect of the pickleball craze?

A. The activation of underutilized spaces
B. The mobilization of sedentary individuals
C. The reinvigoration of communal spirit
D. The improvement of cardiovascular health

Question 5: The word it in paragraph 4 refers to ______.

A. the sport B. the national lifestyle
C. a passing fad D. the communal spirit

Question 6: Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A. The distinctive acoustic character of tennis courts is fading because elite players are increasingly adopting the use of rectangular paddles.

B. Pickleball's structural simplicity facilitates an inclusive environment where distinct age groups can engage in competitive play on equal terms.

C. Online ridicule directed at performative participants has resulted in the implementation of strict commercial regulations for public spaces.

D. The heated public debate regarding propriety is being driven by corporate sponsors aiming to maximize their commercial visibility.

Question 7: Which paragraph mentions a distinct shift in the noises heard at athletic venues?

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

Question 8: Which paragraph mentions the participation of a group that usually avoids exercise?

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

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 9 to 14.

The True Cost of Fast Fashion

Fast fashion has transformed the clothing industry, churning out affordable styles at unprecedented speeds. With new collections arriving every week, brands produce a huge (9) ________ of garments to meet consumer demand. The main (10) ________ of this model is the incredibly low price, which encourages shoppers to buy more than they need.

However, this convenience comes at a cost. The clothes, (11) ________ in overseas factories with poor safety standards, often rely on synthetic fabrics. This leads to massive amounts of textile waste, (12) ________ ends up in landfills or polluting the oceans.

Furthermore, the negative environmental impact is often (13) ________ by flashy advertising campaigns that promote a “green” image. As awareness grows, many conscious consumers are now being urged to (14) ________ from this harmful cycle of overconsumption.

(Adapted from Bridging The Gap)

Question 9:  A. volume B. amount C. level D. deal

Question 10:  A. attract B. attractive C. attraction D. attractively

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 8.

The familiar sounds of urban sports centers have undergone a sudden and audible alteration. The deep, rhythmic thud of tennis balls is increasingly drowned out by a hollow, high-pitched clatter. Tennis courts, once the exclusive preserve of a specific sporting elite, are being aggressively partitioned to accommodate a frenzied influx of new players holding rectangular paddles. Pickleball has arrived with startling velocity, colonizing parks and residential zones with a zeal that rivals any major fitness craze of the past decade.

The sport's explosive popularity stems from its remarkably low barrier to entry. Unlike tennis, which demands months of practice to achieve even basic competence, pickleball allows a complete novice to sustain a rally within minutes. The gameplay is intuitive and less physically punishing than other racket sports, creating an unusually egalitarian playing field. Grandparents can competitively engage with teenagers, and corporate teams find it an accessible avenue for bonding. The court becomes a space of spirited amusement rather than rigorous athletic discipline.

A current of contentiousness, however, runs through the public discourse surrounding the game. Social media platforms are awash with derision directed at the sport's more performative participants. Critics argue the courts have degenerated into mere backdrops for sartorial display, where ostentatious sportswear takes precedence over athletic effort. The "check-in" culture associated with the trend has sparked a heated debate about propriety and the commercialization of public leisure spaces. Purists of traditional sports view the encroachment of pickleball with undisguised skepticism.

Regardless of the cynicism, the vitality on the courts is undeniable. Empty, underutilized concrete spaces are now teeming with activity until late at night. The game has successfully mobilized a sedentary segment of the population that previously found gym culture intimidating or boring. Whether the sport proves to be a durable addition to the national lifestyle or a passing fad remains to be seen, but for now, it has effectively reinvigorated the communal spirit of the city's recreational zones.

(Adapted from Cambridge English)

Question 1: The word startling in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.

A. astonishing B. threatening C. increasing D. consistent