Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
It is a widely held assumption that smartphones and social media platforms have fractured the modern family. Critics often paint a bleak picture of households where members sit in the same room, silently staring at their screens instead of speaking to one another. Consequently, digital technology is frequently blamed for eroding meaningful intergenerational bonds.
However, recent empirical data paints a remarkably different picture. According to a comprehensive survey by the Pew Research Center, rather than isolating relatives, digital tools are fostering new avenues of connection. The study revealed that approximately 70% of parents and teenagers agree that social media and messaging apps actually help them feel closer to their family members. Furthermore, the advent of family group chats has significantly increased the frequency of daily check-ins, allowing extended families to share mundane but intimate moments despite geographical distances.
This digital shift fundamentally alters how families maintain their relationships. Instead of relying solely on formal, scheduled phone calls, relatives now engage in continuous, low-pressure communication through shared images and brief messages. Although this micro-interaction might seem superficial to older critics, it provides a consistent emotional safety net that strengthens familial solidarity. Psychologists note that these subtle digital exchanges often pave the way for more profound offline conversations, effectively acting as an icebreaker for teenagers who might otherwise be reluctant to share their feelings.
Ultimately, while the image of the distracted, device-obsessed teenager remains a valid concern in extreme cases, it does not define the entire generational experience. Technology itself is emotionally neutral; its impact depends entirely on how families choose to integrate it into their daily lives. By embracing these digital tools thoughtfully, families can bridge the generational divide rather than widen it.
In paragraph 1, the writer is _____.
questioning a prevalent belief about technology and family dynamics
condemning the excessive use of digital devices in modern households
highlighting the irreversible damage social media causes to communication
illustrating a historical shift in how intergenerational relationships form
The word "mundane" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _____.
The word "reluctant" in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to _____.
The word "it" in paragraph 4 refers to _____.
Which of the following best paraphrases the bold sentence in paragraph 3?
"Although this micro-interaction might seem superficial to older critics, it provides a consistent emotional safety net that strengthens familial solidarity."
Which of the following statements would the writer NOT agree with?
In which paragraph does the writer mention statistical evidence contradicting a popular assumption?
In which paragraph does the writer mention the role of digital exchanges in initiating deeper offline discussions?
Read the following passage and choose the option that best fits each of the blanks.
Heritage conservation was synonymous with "museumification" – freezing historical structures in time to protect their original state. However, as rapid urbanization sweeps the globe, (1) _____. The United Nations estimates that with 68% of the global population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, historic city centers face unprecedented developmental pressure.
Consequently, modern conservationists advocate for "adaptive reuse," a strategy that (2) _____. Rather than leaving century-old warehouses vacant, developers transform them into vibrant tech hubs or residential lofts. This not only generates continuous revenue for maintenance but also yields significant environmental benefits. In fact, research indicates that retrofitting an existing historic building (3) _____ compared to demolishing it and constructing a new facility from scratch.
Nevertheless, striking the right balance requires meticulous planning. (4) _____, the very essence of the heritage site might be irreparably compromised. Facades may be preserved while the historical context is entirely gutted. Ultimately, true preservation is not about halting progress; rather, (5) _____ so that it can meaningfully coexist with the future.
Choose the correct option for (1).
Choose the correct option for (2).
Choose the correct option for (3).
Choose the correct option for (4).
Choose the correct option for (5).
Read the following notice and choose the best answer for each blank.
NOTICE OF SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Dear Library Patrons,
Please be informed that the Community Library will undergo scheduled system maintenance this weekend, from Saturday, October 24th to Sunday, October 25th.
During this period, you will not have to your online accounts. , digital borrowing and reservation services will be temporarily unavailable. Everyone to return their borrowed physical items directly to the front desk instead of using the automated drop-off boxes. Any items during the maintenance weekend will not incur late fees.
Furthermore, patrons still visit the library in person to read physical books, as the main reading halls will remain open. We are taking these steps to a smoother and faster browsing experience for all users in the future.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
Moving away from home for university or a first job is a major life transition. For many young people, this is their first real experience with financial autonomy. Suddenly, essential living costs like rent and food, along with entertainment, must come from a single, finite income. A budget is simply a plan that divides this money into needs, wants, and savings. However, many young adults soon discover a frustrating reality: their funds deplete rapidly, even if they never make a single substantial purchase.
Take Linh, a second-year university student who receives a monthly allowance and earns extra money by tutoring. At the beginning of the month, she feels completely financially secure. By the third week, however, her bank balance is almost zero, and she cannot identify any expensive items she has bought. The real problem is not a single terrible choice, but the cumulative effect of impulsive small transactions: a sweet drink after class, a quick snack, or a cute phone case seen online. Individually, these small choices seem harmless, but together, they steadily eat into her intended savings.
Modern technology often exacerbates this issue, making money leaks much harder to detect. [I] For example, digital streaming subscriptions renew automatically every month, meaning users often pay for services they rarely use. [II] Additionally, food delivery apps add hidden surcharges and service fees that can almost double the cost of a basic meal. [III] Buy-now-pay-later services are perhaps the most insidious trap of all, breaking a high price into small, manageable payments that create a false illusion of affordability. [IV]
Acknowledging these traps does not mean young people must practice absolute frugality or give up every small joy. The main point is that unmonitored spending cannot be controlled. Financial experts recommend tracking every expense carefully for a month, cancelling unused services, and setting a weekly limit for convenience purchases. Ultimately, developing these prudent habits early shows that true financial independence is less about earning a massive salary and more about optimizing where your money actually goes.
According to paragraph 1, what do many young adults discover when they begin managing their own money?
What is NOT implied about Linh’s spending habits in paragraph 2?
The phrase "eat into" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to _____.
What can be concluded from paragraph 4?
The phrase "this issue" in paragraph 3 refers to _____.
the psychological pressure of managing a finite income independently
the automatic renewal of digital entertainment subscriptions every month
the inability to identify substantial, expensive purchases at the end of the month
the gradual depletion of personal savings due to impulsive small transactions
Where in paragraph 3 would the following sentence best fit?
"Likewise, ride-hailing platforms frequently impose additional booking fees onto the base fare, significantly inflating the final cost of a brief commute."
All of the following are mentioned in the passage as things that drain young people's money EXCEPT _____.
What can be inferred from the passage about a young adult's approach to budgeting?
Simply possessing an initial budget or feeling financially secure does not prevent money loss if day-to-day spending discipline is lacking.
Young adults usually fail to stick to their budgets because they underestimate the cost of essential living expenses like rent.
Students who earn their own money through part-time jobs are less likely to fall into the trap of impulsive buying.
The primary reason young people run out of money is that they face unexpected, large emergency expenses.
Which of the following best summarises paragraph 3?
Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
Read the following leaflet and choose the best answer for each blank.
Are you tired of seeing our local hills completely stripped of their majestic trees? It is crucial for our community to turn over a new and commit to restoring nature's original beauty. By the end of this December, our dedicated volunteer team will working tirelessly for exactly five years to protect the regional environment. However, we cannot do it alone. We strongly hope that every resident will decide our upcoming "Green Hands" campaign this Saturday morning. You will help plant saplings, water the soil, and a lasting impact on our local ecosystem. , this outdoor activity serves as a wonderful chance to breathe fresh air and connect with your neighbors. Both high school students working adults are warmly welcomed to participate. Grab your shovels and let's make our barren hills vibrantly green again!
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. John: It was at 3 p.m., but next Monday works better.
b. Receptionist: Could you tell me your exact appointment time to check?
c. John: I'm calling to reschedule my check-up this Friday afternoon.
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. Sam: What makes you say that?
b. Alex: They always skip classes and pressure me to join.
c. Alex: I'm struggling to fit in with my new study group.
d. Alex: Fair point. I'll talk to her tomorrow.
e. Sam: If I were you, I'd tell our teacher to change the group.
e – b – a – d – c
d – e – b – a – c
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
Dear Customer Service,
a. Therefore, I request that you process this refund immediately and provide an updated tracking number.
b. As a premium member of your store, I am legally entitled to a full refund of the expedited shipping fee.
c. I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction with the severe delay regarding my recent headphones order.
d. I look forward to your prompt response and a swift resolution to this highly inconvenient situation.
e. Although I specifically selected next-day delivery at checkout, it has been a week, and the package remains untraceable.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Davis
e – d – a – b – c
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. On one hand, online platforms provide instant updates and allow users to access global information effortlessly.
b. For example, fake news can spread rapidly across platforms before fact-checkers have a chance to verify it.
c. Digital media has drastically transformed how we consume news, yet some argue it is not entirely beneficial.
d. Ultimately, while digital journalism offers unprecedented speed, traditional media still holds the advantage of rigorous fact-checking.
e. On the other hand, critics point out that the lack of editorial oversight on social networks often leads to misinformation.
e – b – a – d – c
a – b – c – e – d
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. As a result of these efforts, paper consumption plummeted by seventy percent within just the first six months.
b. To address this, management introduced a strict policy requiring employees to digitize all internal communications.
c. This successful transition suggested that modern businesses could operate efficiently while significantly reducing their carbon footprint.
d. By the time the company realized its environmental impact, they had already printed millions of unnecessary documents.
e. Under this new system, staff were given cloud storage accounts and trained to collaborate on shared online files.
b – e – d – a – c