Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
For decades, the global travel industry has promoted tourism as a key driver for economic growth and cultural exchange. Planners and politicians have usually seen rising visitor numbers as a great success, believing that the constant flow of travelers naturally benefits local communities. From this viewpoint, more tourism always leads to more jobs and better global understanding.
However, recent data reveals the serious hidden costs of this uncontrolled growth. A 2025 survey by YouGov showed that the idea of tourism being good for everyone is increasingly challenged by the reality of "overtourism." The study pointed out that 62% of young adults see the rising cost of living for locals as a severe result of overcrowding. Furthermore, exactly half of the people surveyed pointed to visible environmental damage as a direct result of overcrowded places. These numbers show that for many residents, the tourism boom feels less like an economic miracle and more like a real threat to their daily lives.
This situation deeply damages community life and the physical environment. As short-term rentals multiply, locals often can no longer afford to live in their own neighborhoods. Not only does the huge number of visitors put too much pressure on local infrastructure, but it also naturally leads to damage to historical landmarks. As a result, the social connection in historic cities breaks down, causing residents to demand strong actions like tourist taxes and daily limits on visitors. The anger towards tourists does not come from a dislike of foreigners, but from a desperate need to get back livable city spaces.
In short, recognizing the negative impacts of overtourism does not mean we must completely stop global travel. Tourism remains a vital source of income; however, the way it is managed requires a major change. By focusing on sustainable management rather than just counting visitor numbers, tourist destinations can make sure that tourism helps the community instead of destroying it.
In paragraph 1, the writer is _____.
showing the permanent economic damage caused by excessive tourism
The word "multiply" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to _____.
remain
expand
decrease
The word "uncontrolled" in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to _____.
The word "it" in paragraph 4 refers to _____.
tourism
overtourism
global travel
income
Which of the following best paraphrases the bold sentence in paragraph 3?
"Not only does the huge number of visitors put too much pressure on local infrastructure, but it also naturally leads to damage to historical landmarks."
To protect historical landmarks, local infrastructure must be improved to welcome a massive crowd of tourists.
Historical landmarks are damaged because local infrastructure fails to handle the huge number of visitors.
The huge number of visitors has completely destroyed local infrastructure and historical landmarks beyond repair.
The massive crowd of tourists burdens community facilities and unavoidably causes damage to historical sites.
Which of the following statements would the writer NOT agree with?
Local resentment toward visitors stems mainly from a widespread prejudice against foreigners.
In which paragraph does the writer mention survey findings that measure the negative impacts felt by the public?
In which paragraph does the writer mention the necessity of a fundamental shift in how the travel industry is governed?
Read the following passage and choose the option that best fits each of the blanks.
For decades, scientists believed that human behavior, emotional regulation, and overall mental health were controlled exclusively by the brain. However, recent breakthroughs in life sciences have fundamentally challenged this traditional brain-centric perspective, (1) _____. The human gut is home to roughly 39 trillion microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiome, which acts almost like an independent second brain.
Medical research reveals an astonishingly complex communication network between these microbes and our neurological well-being. Surprisingly, clinical data indicates that approximately 90% of the body’s serotonin—a crucial neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood and preventing depression—is produced within the digestive tract rather than the brain. Consequently, (2) _____. When this delicate microbiome is thrown off balance by processed diets or excessive antibiotic use, it can transmit distress signals to the central nervous system that directly trigger severe anxiety.
Despite this rapidly growing body of empirical evidence, (3) _____. Traditional therapeutic approaches for mental health disorders still predominantly target isolated neurological pathways. To truly revolutionize psychiatric care in the coming decades, modern medical professionals must recognize that (4) _____. Achieving profound holistic health (5) _____; rather, it involves meticulously cultivating a flourishing and diverse internal biological ecosystem.
Choose the correct option for (1).
Choose the correct option for (2).
Choose the correct option for (3).
Choose the correct option for (4).
mental health interventions should strictly focus on brain chemistry
treating the mind intrinsically requires treating the physical gut
the microbiome functions completely independently of emotional trauma
psychiatric medications are the only reliable way to restore gut flora
Choose the correct option for (5).
Read the following flyer and choose the best answer for each blank.
JOIN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD E-WASTE RECYCLING DAY!
Do you have old phones, broken laptops, or tangled chargers gathering dust? Let’s work together to reduce our environmental by participating in the upcoming E-Waste Recycling Day.
When: Saturday, November 7th, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: Main Community Center Parking Lot
How to participate:
, we will be hosting a free repair café where you can get minor issues fixed. If your laptop is running slowly, you can have it by our volunteer technicians on the spot!
Help us keep toxic materials out of landfills!
Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
Starting a business once required a physical shop, a bank loan, and years of experience. Today, a growing number of young people in Vietnam launch their own startups with just a smartphone and a social media page. Students sell handmade jewelry or home-baked goods, partly to earn extra money and partly to test their potential for self-employment. For a successful few, these small online shops become the foundation of a real career path.
At first, most of these ventures operate on a small scale, managed entirely by one person. A student who makes scented candles, for example, might sell only to a close network of friends and classmates. They might make just twenty candles a week and deliver them by hand, leaving enough time for their academic studies. Because the owner oversees every step of the process, the quality remains highly consistent, which helps build a loyal customer base.
However, everything can change overnight if a video of their products goes viral. [I] Within days, the shop may receive an overwhelming number of orders, sometimes more than it usually gets in six months. [II] Despite working late every night, the owner often struggles to fulfill them all, resulting in severely delayed deliveries. [III] Consequently, angry customers may leave negative reviews or demand immediate refunds. [IV] To save time, the owner might start buying cheaper materials and skipping final quality checks, soon destroying the unique appeal that made the shop popular in the first place.
This pattern is widespread among young business owners. A small business often succeeds initially because the owner handles everything personally, from making the products to packing orders. Customers value this personal touch. Yet, it also creates a major limitation, because one person's time cannot expand to match rapidly growing demand. When orders multiply, the owner must either build a proper system—such as hiring staff, finding reliable suppliers, and setting realistic delivery times—or face a complete breakdown.
Founders who recover from this crisis usually do so by deliberately slowing down rather than speeding up. They might temporarily stop taking new orders, apologize to their customers, and ask friends for help to clear the backlog. Their shops may end up smaller than they were at their peak, but this pause gives their reputation a chance to recover. Rapid expansion is not the same as sustainable growth. Before chasing a larger audience, young entrepreneurs should ask themselves if they are truly ready to serve those customers well.
Which of the following is NOT implied in paragraph 1?
A number of students operate digital shops as a way to supplement their finances.
Why does the author mention a student who makes scented candles in paragraph 2?
The word "consistent" in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to _____.
Where in paragraph 3 would the following sentence best fit?
"However, the late parcels and unhappy customers are only the visible part of the problem."
Which of the following best summarises paragraph 4?
The word "them" in paragraph 3 refers to _____.
deliveries
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
What can be inferred from the passage?
According to the final paragraph, what should young entrepreneurs prioritize before seeking business expansion?
Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
Read the following advertisement and choose the best answer for each blank.
Do you want to speak confidently and persuasively in front of large crowds? The school’s Debate Club is currently recruiting new members, and we are looking for passionate students to join us! the art of public speaking is not just for future politicians; it is for anyone who wants to succeed. Here, you will be trained to think on your during intense arguments. You will valuable experience in researching complex topics and structuring logical points. , if you find your current communication skills lacking, do not hesitate to replace them with better through our weekly interactive workshops. We are absolutely thrilled both beginners and seasoned speakers into our supportive community. Sign up at the library desk today and let your voice be heard!
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. Tom: Thanks a lot.
b. Clerk: Sure, let me check that for you. It departs from Bay 4 at exactly 10:15 a.m.
c. Tom: Excuse me, could you tell me what time the next bus to the city centre leaves?
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. Anna: There are just too many distractions at home, and I keep losing focus.
b. Anna: That makes sense. I'll definitely give that a go tomorrow.
c. Mark: Tell me about it! What's distracting you the most?
d. Anna: I've been finding it really hard to concentrate during our online lectures lately.
e. Mark: Have you thought about going to the local library? It might help to study in a quieter environment.
a – c – e – b – d
d – c – e – b – a
e – c – d – a – b
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
Dear City Council,
a. Therefore, I strongly urge the City Council to send an inspector and enforce the noise regulations immediately to protect our well-being.
b. I am writing to complain about the excessive noise coming from the construction site on Elm Street.
c. We, the residents, have the right to live in a peaceful environment during the designated quiet hours without such severe disturbances.
d. I expect a prompt response regarding the specific disciplinary actions you plan to take to resolve this ongoing disruption.
e. Although the permitted working hours strictly start from 8 a.m., the contractors consistently begin operating heavy machinery at 5:30 a.m.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Jenkins
d – c – e – a – b
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. For instance, events like global food fairs not only introduce residents to new cuisines but also generate substantial revenue for small businesses.
b. When profound cultural rituals are altered merely to entertain tourists, their authentic historical significance is often irreparably lost.
c. Hosting international cultural festivals offers communities a unique opportunity to embrace diversity and significantly boost local tourism.
d. Ultimately, while multicultural celebrations deeply enrich society, organizers must carefully balance economic benefits with the strict preservation of cultural integrity.
e. However, some sociologists consistently warn that such large-scale events can inadvertently lead to the commercialisation of sacred indigenous traditions.
a – e – b – d – c
e – b – a – d – c
b – a – c – e – d
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. Thanks to these aggressive interventions, peak-hour traffic volume dropped by thirty percent within the first year.
b. Recognizing the urgent need for change, the municipal government implemented a comprehensive congestion pricing zone in the downtown area.
c. To enforce this policy, officials installed automated license plate readers and significantly expanded the city's electric bus fleet.
d. This remarkable turnaround proves that rapidly growing megacities can effectively manage urban mobility without hindering economic progress.
e. Prior to the launch of the new transport initiative, daily commuters had already endured severe gridlock for nearly a decade.
a – b – e – c – d
e – b – c – a – d
c – b – e – a – d