Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
Few moments feel as liberating for a teenager as receiving the first pay cheque from a part-time job. With money of their own, young people reason, they no longer depend on their parents, and adult life has effectively begun. Yet earning an income and handling it wisely are two distinct abilities, and the second is far rarer than most people imagine.
Evidence from the largest study of its kind confirms this concern. In 2014, the S&P Global FinLit Survey interviewed more than 150,000 adults in over 140 countries, testing their grasp of four basic concepts: simple interest, compound interest, inflation and risk diversification. Those who got at least three right were classified as financially literate. Worldwide, only one adult in three met this modest standard. Even in the strongest performers, such as Denmark and Sweden, roughly three in ten adults fell short.
Such gaps matter. A young worker might sign up for a loan offered by an electronics shop, unaware of how quickly its total cost will climb once interest begins to accumulate. Likewise, someone who overlooks inflation may leave all their savings in an account paying almost nothing, losing purchasing power. Others put everything into a single investment, so that one poor decision can wipe out years of effort. Given that financial products are growing ever more complex, people unfamiliar with these principles are likely to make costly errors, however much they earn.
Becoming independent, then, involves more than collecting a regular wage. It also demands the knowledge to budget, save and borrow sensibly, which can be picked up at any age through school courses, reliable online resources or asking questions before signing a contract. Earning money may open the door to independence; knowing how to manage it is what keeps that door open.
It can be inferred from paragraph 1 that _____.
The word "grasp" in paragraph 2 is CLOSEST in meaning to _____.
The word "accumulate" in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to _____.
repay
decrease
charge
The word "It" in paragraph 4 refers to _____.
collecting wages
signing contracts
becoming independent
earning money
Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?
"Given that financial products are growing ever more complex, people unfamiliar with these principles are likely to make costly errors, however much they earn."
People without fundamental financial knowledge often make costly mistakes, especially when their income is low, because financial products are becoming more complex.
The rising complexity of financial products causes costly errors primarily among those with limited financial knowledge, although higher earnings can reduce such risks.
Even individuals with strong knowledge of financial principles can make costly errors, irrespective of their income, due to the increasing complexity of financial products.
People lacking core financial knowledge risk committing costly errors regardless of total income, owing to the rising complexity of financial products.
Which of the following statements would the writer NOT agree with?
In which paragraph does the author mention a specific criterion for evaluating financial literacy?
In which paragraph does the writer point to sources that could help people learn about money?
Read the following passage and choose the option that best fits each of the blanks.
The Illusion of the Bin: Why "Wish-Cycling" Cannot Save the Planet
Many environmentally conscious individuals believe that carefully sorting household waste into recycling bins fulfills their ecological duties. (1) _____. In reality, this widespread habit often turns into "wish-cycling," where simply throwing items away creates a false sense of environmental responsibility.
Environmental psychologists warn that excessive reliance on local recycling schemes offers consumers a dangerous psychological excuse. This "moral license" effectively removes the guilt associated with buying single-use items. (2) _____, the average consumer often unknowingly purchases far more packaged goods than they normally would. Furthermore, this focus on recycling hides a fundamental rule of environmental science, (3) _____. According to a 2022 OECD report, a staggering 91% of global plastic waste is ultimately burned, landfilled, or leaked into natural ecosystems.
Even when materials successfully reach processing facilities, their lifespan is severely limited by unavoidable material degradation. While glass and metal can be recycled indefinitely, most plastics break down quickly after just one or two processing cycles. Therefore, if society genuinely aims to address the growing waste crisis, (4) _____. Relying solely on downstream processing is an ecological dead end. (5) _____. True sustainability depends not on perfecting our disposal methods, but on significantly reducing unnecessary packaging before it ever enters our homes.
Choose the correct option for (1).
This comforting assumption, however, completely misrepresents the true complexity of modern waste processing
This common belief, in fact, accurately captures how most recyclable materials are eventually reused
This routine, as a result, has begun to reduce the overall volume of packaging entering households
This assumption, many experts admit, still holds true despite recent changes in waste processing methods
Choose the correct option for (2).
Believing that the environmental impact completely offsets the recycling of their purchases
Believing that recycling completely offsets the environmental impact of their purchases
Choose the correct option for (3).
which recycling places at the bottom of the waste management hierarchy
which places recycling at the bottom of the waste management hierarchy
Choose the correct option for (4).
Choose the correct option for (5).
Systemic change requires us to accept that recycling waste after it is produced is merely a temporary solution
Expanding investment in recycling facilities, however, does little to address how much material enters the system in the first place
Recent shifts in global trade have made post-consumer recycling much less profitable for companies
Consumers must therefore completely stop buying manufactured goods to reverse environmental decline
Read the following notice and choose the best answer for each blank.
NOTICE: FREE FLU VACCINATION PROGRAM
The Oakridge Community Clinic is pleased to announce our annual free flu vaccination program for all local residents. This initiative to protect our community during the upcoming winter season.
Please note that a high number of patients are expected to visit our facility in the coming weeks. Therefore, we strongly advise you to an appointment online rather than walking in.
When arriving at the clinic, you present a valid ID card or proof of residency to the receptionist. Only individuals aged 65 and older or those with chronic conditions are currently for the high-dose vaccine. Those last year do not need to out the background medical forms again.
Protect yourself and your loved ones today!
Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
Overtourism describes a situation in which the number of visitors to a destination exceeds what its surrounding infrastructure and community can absorb without a decline in both visitor experience and residents' quality of life. Consequently, when a single photogenic site draws far more attention than it was ever designed to handle, local authorities are frequently left weighing the economic benefit of tourism against the disruption it brings to everyday life.
For instance, one photo spot in the town of Fujikawaguchiko became emblematic of this tension in 2024. A view in which Mount Fuji appeared to rise directly behind a Lawson convenience store had spread widely across social media, and the narrow pavement outside the shop was soon overwhelmed with visitors angling for the same shot. Litter accumulated, pedestrians crossed the road without using the designated crossing, and some visitors were reported climbing onto the roof of a neighbouring dental clinic to get a better angle. After repeated warnings and traffic signage failed to curb the behaviour, officials resorted to installing a large mesh screen that obstructed the view entirely.
Beyond this single case, Japan's response to overtourism is by no means confined to physical barriers. [I] In one pattern, authorities restrict visual or physical access to a site, as officials did in Fujikawaguchiko and as residents of Kyoto's geisha district did when they closed off narrow private alleys to tourists. [II] In a second pattern, municipalities introduce a financial deterrent, with cities such as Osaka and the hot-spring resort of Hakone considering new tourism taxes to offset the strain that visitor numbers place on local infrastructure. [III] In a third pattern, national and regional bodies invest in redistributing demand, encouraging travellers toward less-visited rural regions rather than concentrating them in a handful of famous sites. [IV] Whichever pattern is adopted, the underlying calculation is the same: whether the economic benefit that tourism brings still outweighs the burden it places on residents.
From this perspective, a measure such as the Fujikawaguchiko barrier is best understood as a temporary corrective rather than a permanent solution to the town's difficulties. Because the screen was intended to discourage crowding rather than to prohibit visitors outright, officials quietly took it down within months, once daily visitor numbers had fallen and the underlying source of disruption appeared to have eased. Whether such measures are ultimately judged successful therefore depends less on how visibly a site is restricted than on whether visitor behaviour changes once the restriction is lifted. A screen can hide a mountain, but only changed behaviour can keep a neighbourhood liveable.
The word "absorb" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.
manufacture
evaluate
substitute
accommodate
The word "it" in paragraph 1 refers to _____.
attention
tourism
visitor experience
a photogenic site
Which of the following is NOT implied in paragraph 2?
Where in paragraph 3 does the following sentence best fit?
"These varied responses can be grouped into three broad approaches, each targeting a different point in the relationship between visitors and residents."
What core conclusion unites the three policy patterns in paragraph 3?
Physical access restrictions yield higher economic returns than local tourism taxes.
Redirecting visitors to rural areas has made traditional tourist destinations unnecessary.
Economic wealth legally takes priority over peaceful living conditions.
All approaches share the goal of balancing financial gains against community disruption.
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
The mesh screen remained in place for only a few months.
Visual barriers are legally mandated across all Japanese cities.
Tourism taxes have reduced local infrastructure strain by half.
The screen is currently being studied to design better solutions.
Which best summarizes the author's final argument in paragraph 4?
Physical barriers are only effective if they permanently hide attractions.
It is better visitor conduct, not barricades, that a place's liveability depends on.
Authorities must constantly build new screens to outsmart viral trends.
Anti-overtourism policies succeed only if enforced indefinitely.
What caused officials to install the mesh screen?
Previous warning signs had already resolved the issue.
Local residents demanded the removal of the store.
Earlier measures against disruptive behavior proved ineffective.
Several severe traffic accidents had already occurred.
Why does the author mention visitors climbing onto the roof of the dental clinic in paragraph 2?
Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
Financial Taxes vs. Visual Barriers: Evaluating Failed Tourism Policies
Read the following passage and choose the best answer for each blank.
JOIN THE STARLIGHT DEBATE CLUB — Applications Now Open!
Do you love a good argument? Are you ready to your critical thinking and public speaking skills? The Starlight Debate Club is now recruiting new members for the coming term!
who enjoys public speaking is warmly invited to join our weekly sessions; no experience required. Every week, members learn to raise a point, back it up with evidence, and respond confidently under pressure.
To keep our sessions productive, the club new members to attend at least two trial sessions before committing fully. You not let this chance slip by — spaces fill up fast every year! the debates themselves, members also enjoy workshops, inter-school tournaments, and a supportive community of like-minded speakers.
Sign up today and make your voice heard!
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful conversation.
a. Mai: Really? However, I heard it can make you feel quite dizzy if you play for too long.
b. Nam: That's true, so I only use it for about thirty minutes at a time to stay on the safe side.
c. Nam: I've just bought the new virtual reality headset for my gaming console, and it's absolutely mind-blowing!
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful conversation.
a. Alex: That sounds like a tough situation. On the other hand, they probably just want a stable future for you.
b. Linh: My parents want me to study medicine, but I dream of becoming a graphic designer.
c. Alex: Brilliant idea! Besides, seeing your actual work might change their traditional mindset.
d. Linh: I know. As a result, I'm trying to prepare a good portfolio to show them I can succeed in art.
e. Linh: I hope so. Keep your fingers crossed for me when I talk to them tonight!
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful text.
a. In recent years, environmental degradation in urban neighborhoods has become a pressing issue that requires immediate civic engagement.
b. Furthermore, we collaborated with city officials to safely dispose of the hazardous waste collected during the event.
c. Therefore, we hope this successful pilot project will inspire other districts to adopt similar sustainable practices.
d. To address this alarming trend, our local youth committee launched a comprehensive clean-up initiative last weekend.
e. As a direct result of these collective efforts, the once-polluted public park has been thoroughly revitalized.
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful text.
a. When a powerful tremor hits, it can easily destroy critical infrastructure and cause massive casualties.
b. Earthquakes are among the most devastating natural disasters because they often strike with little to no warning.
c. Despite this unpredictable nature, advanced engineering offers a way to minimize the damage.
d. Therefore, many earthquake-prone countries now strictly enforce the construction of shock-absorbent buildings.
e. For instance, the collapse of poorly constructed buildings usually leads to the highest number of fatalities.
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful letter.
Dear Dr. Whitfield,
a. Your extensive research background and long-standing reputation in the field make you an ideal candidate for this role.
b. We are writing to invite you to serve as a judge for the final round of this year's National Debate Championship.
c. The final round will take place over two days, involving twelve finalist teams assessed against four core criteria: argumentation, rebuttal, delivery and teamwork.
d. We would be grateful if you could confirm your availability and send us an updated CV by 20 November.
e. Thank you for considering this invitation; please feel free to reach out should you wish to discuss the judging criteria further.
Yours sincerely,