Question 8: A. Unlike B. During C. Beyond D. Amid

BRIEFING NOTE: THE RISE OF URBAN LONELINESS

Current picture: In many large cities, more people are living alone, yet a rising (7) __________ of social concern suggests that daily contact is becoming weaker rather than richer.

Why it is growing

(8) __________ busy routines, long commutes, and frequent relocation, many residents have fewer chances to build lasting ties. As a result, casual exchanges are often replaced by brief digital contact.

Common signs

• Some of these residents still maintain a few close friendships, while (9) __________ rely mainly on screens for interaction.

• This pattern may weaken community (10) __________, especially in neighbourhoods where residents rarely know one another.

• Instead of meeting in person, many simply (11) __________ updates on their phones without starting real conversations.

A wider view: Urban loneliness is increasingly seen not as a private matter but as a (12) __________ challenge.

SURVIVAL MINDSET

A Practical Guide to Thinking Under Pressure

What it means

A survival mindset is the habit of thinking clearly when events become uncertain. It supports people in moments that require quick (1) __________ rather than panic.

Key features

• People with this mindset often show (2) __________.
• They focus on facts, control emotion, and respond with care.
• It also gives them a stronger sense (3) __________ what still matters most.

Why it matters

A person with a survival mindset can resist (4) __________ to panic, even when the situation changes without warning. This is the kind of mental discipline (5) __________ people remain steady when plans collapse unexpectedly. In daily life, such thinking encourages more reflective choices and helps people (6) __________ practical meaning from difficult experiences.