Question 7 : Which paragraph does the writer suggest that national governments are primarily responsible for addressing gender inequality? A...

Question 2: The word "egregiously" in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ______.
A. moderately B. notoriously C. badly D. significantly

Question 3: The word "instill" in paragraph 3 could be best replaced by ______.
A. detest B. release C. impart D. expire

Question 4: The word "that" in paragraph 3 refers to ______.
A. gender norms B. socio-cultural structures
C. entrenched disparities D. education systems

Question 5: Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

A. Rigorous empirical scrutiny often hints that commonwealths cultivating gender proportionality could potentially exhibit a deceleration of civil unrest, an amplified economic robustness, and an invigorated governmental equipoise.

B. Research strongly champions the notion that societies prioritizing gender parity achieve greater economic growth, stronger economies, and enhanced political stability, demonstrating the essential nexus between fairness and national development.

C. Findings indicate that societies embracing gender equity enjoy peaceful conditions, economic expansion, and firm political leadership, complicating the essential link between governance and sustained national prosperity.

D. Empirical evidence verifies that societies promoting gender balance show reduced violence, increased economic durability, and sustained political order, highlighting the fundamental bond between fairness and national progress.

Question 6: Which of the following is TRUE according to paragraph 2?

A. Regions with a surplus of female population tend to experience increased education and economic stability.

B. An unbalanced sex ratio in favor of males is associated with higher rates of crime, militant recruitment, and social disorder.

C. Kashmir and China are examples of regions where equal sex ratios lead to peaceful coexistence.

D. The resurgence of the Taliban has resulted in Afghanistan's complete eradication of women’s participation in education and the workforce, reversing all progress made in three decades.

Question 8: Which paragraph does the writer discuss the role of international entities in dealing with gender inequality and structural challenges?

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

Read the following announcement 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.

Technology & Innovation Expo 2025 – Igniting the Future

Taking place from October 21st to 25th at the Innovation Arena in Singapore, the Technology & Innovation Expo 2025 will feature over 200 exhibitors (9) ______ are leaders in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and digital transformation. Alongside (10) ______ tech entrepreneurs, the event will spotlight cutting-edge inventions aimed at reshaping the modern world. Attendees will discover quite (11) ______ emerging solutions, ranging from smart homes to autonomous transportation. The expo will host panel discussions (12) ______ by tech pioneers, researchers, and investors, offering (13) ______ into the future of sustainable technology. This is a key event for students and industry professionals looking to connect, collaborate, and (14) ______ innovations that matter.

For details, visit: https://techfutureexpo.com

(Adapted from BBC News)

Question 9: A. which B. who C. whom D. where

Question 21: Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

“In places such as Japan, where men spend only one-fifth the time women do on unpaid domestic labor, automation could be a game-changer.”

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

Question 22: According to the passage, what type of household tasks are best suited for automation?

A. Tasks involving physical intimacy and emotional care
B. Tasks requiring constant adaptation and judgment
C. Tasks that are routine and physically repetitive
D. Tasks related to parenting and decision-making

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 8.

The systematic suppression of women is not merely a human rights violation but a structural catalyst for geopolitical instability. Societies entrenched in regressive gender norms - manifested through practices such as polygamy, child marriage, and institutionalized misogyny - exhibit pronounced economic stagnation, political volatility, and heightened susceptibility to conflict.

Afghanistan exemplifies this regression, where the rapid erosion of women’s rights following the Taliban’s resurgence has obliterated two decades of progress in female education and workforce participation. Similar patterns emerge in regions with egregiously unbalanced sex ratios, such as Kashmir and parts of China, where surplus male populations correlate with rising criminality, insurgency recruitment, and social upheaval.

Mitigating these entrenched disparities necessitates a multidimensional policy framework that integrates legal reform, economic empowerment, and pedagogical transformation. Governments must rigorously enforce prohibitions on child marriage, gender-based violence, and discriminatory inheritance laws while dismantling socio-cultural structures that perpetuate female subjugation. Education systems should be redesigned to instill gender equality from an early age, actively challenging cultural norms that reinforce female subordination.

Although these structural reforms are primarily the responsibility of national governments, international entities exert substantial leverage in catalyzing change through diplomatic pressure, conditional aid, and development initiatives. Institutions such as USAID and the World Bank have demonstrably facilitated incremental progress in women’s rights, yet sustained commitment is imperative to counteract regressive backsliding. Empirical research consistently corroborates that societies fostering gender parity demonstrate diminished violence, heightened economic resilience, and enhanced political stability, reinforcing the intrinsic link between equity and sustained national prosperity.

Question 1: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a factor contributing to deep socio-political and economic instability?
A. Lack of women in governance B. Child marriage
C. Institutionalized misogyny D. Polygamy