Read the following advertisement 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 6. ⇱
Explore a Rich Cultural Journey!
Are you interested in exploring diverse traditions from around the world? Our ___(1)___ offers an ___(2)___ journey, bringing you closer to local heritage and authentic experiences. ___(3)___ part in this enriching adventure will deepen your understanding of global cultures!
Led by experienced local guides, our tours offer you the chance ___(4)___ with communities, participating in traditional festivals and learning ancient customs. With memorable activities, you’ll visit iconic cultural landmarks, taste traditional cuisine, and discover the beauty of regional arts, ___(5)___ you a deeper connection to the local culture.
Ready to take your curiosity to new heights? Join us today to begin your cultural adventure, and let the world’s wonders unfold before you. Whether you’re passionate ___(6)___ history, art, or folklore, our tour will leave you inspired and enriched.
Read the following leaflet 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. ⇱
THOMAS EDISON: THE WIZARD OF MENLO PARK
Thomas Edison was a pioneering inventor and businessman who grabbed the ___(7)___ for his contributions to the development of electric light and power systems. He made significant advancements in technology, earning the title of “The Wizard of Menlo Park.” Edison aimed to ___(8)___ the world with his innovative inventions.
Early Life & Family
Born on February 11, 1847, in Milan, Ohio, Edison was the youngest of seven children. His mother, a former school teacher, educated him at home after he struggled in school. After that, ___(9)___ his ambitions, he developed a keen ___(10)___ in science and technology.
Legacy
Edison’s impact on technology and industry is ___(11)___. He is often credited with creating the first industrial research laboratory, which revolutionized how inventions are developed. Today, he is remembered as one of history’s greatest inventors, whose work influences ___(12)___ and reshapes the future.
(Adapted from Asian Scientist)
Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text in each of the following questions from 13 to 17. ⇱
1. Alex: Been there, done that! Tell you what - I picked up some awesome time management hacks that are total game-changers.
2. Maya: Ugh, I’m just swamped with this work-life balance thing. Feels like I’m running on empty.
3. Alex: Hey, what’s eating you? You’ve been super stressed out lately.
1. Jake: Right? And get this - they’ve got these AI systems running the whole show.
2. Rachel: No way! I’m so over-sitting in traffic. This sounds like a total dream.
3. Jake: Yo, check this out! They’re building this crazy smart city with self-driving everything!
4. Rachel: For real? But doesn’t that freak you out a bit? Like, what if the system crashes?
5. Jake: Nah, that’s the beauty of it – they’ve got all these fail-safes. It’s pretty mind-blowing stuff.
Dear Jamie,
1. You wouldn’t believe how locals have adapted their traditional businesses to cater to this new crowd.
2. Every corner has these cool co-working spaces packed with people from all over the globe.
3. It’s fascinating to see ancient culture and modern technology existing in perfect harmony.
4. The whole digital nomad scene here in Bali has completely transformed how people experience travel.
5. You should definitely check it out – it might change your perspective on remote work altogether.
Best wishes,
Sam
1. Unlike my previous corporate job, there were no traditional hierarchies or fixed departments here.
2. Instead, I found myself collaborating with different teams based on project needs and expertise.
3. During my first week at a modern startup, I was amazed by their unique approach to team structure.
4. Looking back, I realize this experience completely changed my view of organizational management.
5. This flexible system not only boosted our creativity but also made work more engaging and meaningful.
1. The invention quickly transformed cities, extending human activity well into the night hours.
2. When Thomas Edison first unveiled his electric light bulb in 1879, few could imagine its impact.
3. Factories could now operate around the clock, revolutionizing industrial production worldwide.
4. This simple innovation sparked numerous related inventions in power distribution and electronics.
5. Today, we’re witnessing similar revolutionary changes with artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
Read the following passage about family life 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. ⇱
Family life has always been a cornerstone of society, providing support, love, and stability. Modern families come in various shapes and sizes, but they all share one thing in common: the need for connection and mutual care. Eating together regularly, ___(18)___, In fact, families that engage in shared activities such as cooking meals, going on trips, or playing games, tend to have healthier relationships. ___(19)___.
Family structures have evolved over the years. While the traditional nuclear family remains common, single-parent, extended, and blended families are becoming more frequent. Each member brings unique perspectives, and despite varying parenting styles, love and respect are universally valued. ___(20)___.
However, with busy schedules and the demands of modern life, many families struggle to spend quality time together. Technology plays a major role in both bringing them closer and distancing them. Many families, ___(21)___, often find themselves isolated despite being in the same room.
It is impossible to overestimate the influence of family life on personal development and happiness. Children, in particular, ___(22)___. Children who don’t have close family ties may experience mental health problems.
Read the following passage about multi-tasking drawbacks and mark the letters A, B, C, D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30. ⇱
Working from home has become increasingly common, providing employees with greater flexibility and control over their work environments. Without the need for long commutes, people have more time for family, personal interests, or simply to rest. A personalized workspace at home can also lead to higher productivity, as individuals can adjust their surroundings to suit their needs. Many companies now support remote work, recognizing its benefits for both employee well-being and business outcomes.
However, working from home does bring certain challenges. For example, while remote work can boost productivity, some people find it hard to stay focused without the structure of an office setting. There’s also a risk of isolation, as virtual meetings don’t always fully replace face-to-face interactions. However, companies are increasingly devising creative strategies to mitigate these drawbacks, using sophisticated collaboration tools and arranging virtual social activities to preserve a sense of team cohesion.
Another difficulty with working from home is the blurred line between work and personal life. With workspaces merged into the home environment, the temptation to check emails or tackle tasks outside of regular hours can lead to an “always-on” mentality. Setting clear schedules and defining specific working hours is essential to ensure a healthy balance.
Looking forward, remote work is likely to remain a popular choice, supported by ever-advancing technology. Many companies are considering hybrid models, allowing employees to split their time between home and office. This flexible approach can balance the productivity of remote work with the social and collaborative benefits of in-person interactions. As remote work continues to evolve, it will reshape traditional work culture, requiring adaptation from both businesses and employees.
(Adapted from BreakingNewEnglish)
Read the following passage and mark the letters A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each question from 31 to 40. ⇱
Can you remember exactly what you were doing on this day two years ago? Probably not. But Aurelien Hayman can. Say any date to Aurelien – four, five, six years ago – and he can remember what he was wearing, what music he listened to, who he talked to, and if the sun was shining. Most of us can only remember about 11 events from each year of our lives, but Aurelien has a condition called hyperthymesia, which means he can remember almost everything. “It’s like the dates have pictures,” he says.
Unlike Aurelien, most of us don’t have a perfect memory. How do you remember what you did last year? Well, you probably look for the past in your pocket, on your phone. That’s where a lot of our memories are now – in photos, posts, and playlists. It’s all online.
Our smartphones also give us instant mobile access to all kinds of information 24/7. In the pre-digital past, things were different. People memorized numbers, names, addresses, times, dates, and directions because it wasn’t practical to carry around address books, maps, and diaries. Nowadays, there’s an app for everything. We are storing more and more information online, so we remember less and less. Think about it: when did you last memorize a telephone number? Do you know your own number?
[I] If most information that we need is now online in the cloud, why do we need to remember anything? [II] Some people say that this “Google Effect” is making us stupid. But maybe the internet is making us smarter. [III] Memorizing information takes time, and the need for such memory may be rooted in our ability to connect with our past. Maybe it’s more useful to learn how to find, compare, and use information. [IV]
Here’s a problem though – imagine you look up one sunny day and the cloud disappears. If a virus eats our data, do we lose the records, memories, and knowledge of a whole generation? Perhaps it’s time to remember a few phone numbers and buy a photo album, diary, and notebook, just in case...
(Adapted from Oxford Discover Futures by Ben Wetz and Jane Hudson)