Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
In April 2025, a Texas-based company called Colossal Biosciences made headlines with an extraordinary assertion. It announced the birth of three pups, Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi, and described them as dire wolves, a large predator that vanished from the Americas more than 10,000 years ago. To create them, scientists took cells from grey wolves and made 20 edits across 14 genes, aiming to reproduce features such as a thick white coat and a broader skull.
To its supporters, the achievement marks the dawn of a new era for wildlife protection. If extinction can be reversed, they argue, lost animals might one day return to the landscapes they once shaped. Colossal, which is also working on the woolly mammoth and the dodo, presents its wolves as proof that this vision is realistic. Not only could such tools revive vanished species, but they might also help rescue endangered ones by restoring genetic variety that has already been lost.
While the claim may sound plausible to the public, many experts remain unconvinced. The IUCN's Canid Specialist Group, a leading authority on wild dogs, stated plainly that the three animals are not dire wolves. Even Colossal's own chief scientist later described them as grey wolves with 20 edits. Conservationists also point to a subtler danger: if the public comes to believe that extinction is no longer permanent, the pressure to protect threatened species may gradually weaken.
Admittedly, the research may still yield valuable scientific knowledge. Yet a handful of edited pups cannot bring back ecosystems that disappeared thousands of years ago. Protecting animals that are still alive, from red wolves to African wild dogs, remains far cheaper and more certain than attempting to rebuild those already lost. After all, a species saved today will never need to be revived tomorrow.
It can be inferred from paragraph 3 that _____.
Colossal's chief scientist strongly defended the claim that the pups were dire wolves
doubts about the pups' identity came from both outside and inside the company
the IUCN plans to classify the pups as a new species of grey wolf
conservationists mainly object to the high financial cost of Colossal's gene-editing work
Which of the following statements would the writer NOT agree with?
Dire wolves disappeared from the Americas more than ten thousand years ago.
Believing extinction can be undone may weaken efforts to protect threatened animals.
A few edited animals cannot restore ecosystems that vanished long ago.
Supporters doubt that lost animals could ever return to their former habitats.
The word "subtler" in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to _____.
more evident
more deep-rooted
more urgent
more powerful
In which paragraph does the writer describe the method behind the pups?
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 4
In which paragraph does the writer recognize a possible benefit of the research?
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 4
The word "those" in paragraph 4 refers to _____.
ecosystems
wolves
animals
wild dogs
Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?
"Not only could such tools revive vanished species, but they might also help rescue endangered ones by restoring genetic variety that has already been lost."
Bringing back lost species together with protecting endangered animals can only happen after all of their missing genetic variety is completely restored first.
Such tools require the complete restoration of lost genetic variety before they can revive lost species or protect endangered animals.
These tools have already saved several endangered species by restoring genetic variety that scientists once believed had been lost forever.
Besides bringing back lost species, the same tools could support endangered animals by giving back some of their missing genetic variety.
The word "assertion" in paragraph 1 is CLOSEST in meaning to _____.
request
claim
question
doubt
Read the following passage and choose the option that best fits each of the blanks.
"Follow your passion" is probably the most common career advice that young people hear. (1) _____. Graduation speakers repeat it, and social media is full of people who claim to have turned a hobby into a dream job. Yet the advice does not seem to be working very well. According to Gallup, only about 20 per cent of employees worldwide were engaged at work in 2025, (2) _____.
The problem lies in a hidden assumption: that passion is something we already have, (3) _____. Research points the other way. In a 2018 study, a team of psychologists found that students who believed their interests were fixed quickly lost enthusiasm when a new subject became difficult. (4) _____. Their curiosity was more likely to survive the difficult stage.
This does not mean that passion is unimportant. (5) _____. Instead of waiting for the perfect career to appear, young people can try different paths, build useful skills and let their interests grow along the way.
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.
Protect yourself and your loved ones this winter season. The Community Clinic strongly recommends that everyone get a flu as soon as possible.
Medical experts agree that getting vaccinated is the way to stop the spread of the virus in our neighborhood. The vaccine helps to serious health complications, especially for the elderly and young children.
Please note that we all visitors to wear a face mask inside the clinic building at all times to maintain a safe environment. Furthermore, if you currently have a fever or a bad cough, you enter the facility; please call our medical hotline instead for further instructions.
To reserve your preferred vaccination time slot without waiting in long queues, simply on our official website today.
Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
Megacities such as Hong Kong and Tokyo have long attracted young professionals with the promise of career opportunity, cultural energy, and a certain undeniable glamour. Glossy skylines, twenty-four-hour transit systems, and a dense concentration of well-paid employers make these cities feel like the fastest route to a better life.
To make that dream affordable, a growing number of young renters choose micro-apartments - self-contained studios of only fifteen to twenty square metres, often marketed as "smart", "efficient", or "compact living". On paper, everything a single occupant needs appears to fit: a foldable bed, a narrow kitchenette, and a shower cubicle tucked behind a sliding door. For many newcomers, it looks like a clever, temporary compromise rather than a lasting sacrifice.
However, once the initial novelty fades, daily life inside these units reveals a different picture. [I] Residents share narrow corridors with dozens of neighbours and store seasonal belongings in overcrowded lockers below ground - inconveniences most newcomers accept as a fair price for a central address. [II] A desk wedged against the foot of a bed soon becomes the only available workspace once office hours end. [III] What was framed as a lower rent for a smaller floor plan begins to look like something else entirely. [IV] The absence of any physical boundary between rest and work slowly wears down a sense of order that once structured a healthy daily rhythm.
Housing economists trace this pattern to a persistent imbalance between the supply of usable urban land and the number of people competing to live within commuting distance of well-paid jobs. Where land is scarce and expensive, developers respond to surging demand not by lowering prices but by shrinking the product itself: high-density blocks split the same floor area among a larger number of paying tenants. For a young professional, staying near the city centre nearly always wins out over housing affordability, even though it means accepting a severe spatial constraint on daily life. In this sense, the micro-apartment is less a lifestyle choice than a market-driven compromise, one that trades personal space and, over time, a measurable decline in living standard for continued access to a competitive job market.
Seen this way, the micro-housing trend is not simply a matter of personal taste for minimalism; it is a visible symptom of an urban land market that has not kept pace with the people it is meant to house. Unless cities expand the supply of affordable, well-located housing, more residents are likely to find themselves negotiating the same uncomfortable trade-off between career and comfort - one square metre at a time.
According to paragraph 1, what specifically makes megacities attractive to young people?
They offer great opportunities for international networking and future career growth.
They offer promising career prospects alongside a dynamic and vibrant urban lifestyle.
They foster innovative tech sectors that offer strong support for young entrepreneurs.
They maintain exceptionally low crime rates alongside high standards of public safety.
Which of the following best summarises the main idea of paragraph 2?
Many young renters view compact studios as a reasonable short-term trade-off.
Most young renters regret selecting micro-apartments shortly after moving in.
Property developers now focus on building larger units for space needs.
Limited unit spaces prevent these properties from serving as permanent homes.
Where would the sentence below best fit in paragraph 3?
"Such an arrangement leaves no physical distance between the demands of a job and the need to switch off from it."
Which of the following is NOT implied by paragraph 3 about life inside a micro-apartment?
Living space and personal workspace increasingly overlap for a growing number of urban residents.
Shared storage lockers and narrow corridors are common sources of frustration for tenants.
The lack of separation between rest and work slowly erodes daily order..
Residents' frustration with these conditions is now far worse than in other cities.
The word "novelty" in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to _____.
affordability
freshness
discomfort
originality
The bold word "it" in paragraph 5 refers to _____.
personal taste for minimalism
the micro-housing trend
a competitive job market
urban land market
What does the passage conclude about the future of the micro-housing trend?
Market competition will eventually compel city developers to build more spacious affordable housing.
Micro-apartments will gradually become accepted as the standard housing solution across metropolitan regions.
The trend will persist primarily because young professionals consistently choose career growth over space.
Without structural expansions in affordable housing, residents will continue sacrificing comfort for location.
According to paragraph 4, how do property developers react to the high demand for housing in areas where land is limited?
They gradually lower overall rental prices to make city living accessible to all young professionals.
They divide existing building floor areas into smaller units to accommodate a larger number of renters.
They expand the usable urban land by heavily investing in properties further away from the city centre.
They prioritize the construction of larger apartments to significantly improve the rich's living standards.
What can be inferred about the marketing terms "smart", "efficient", or "compact living"?
They accurately describe the long-term satisfaction of most urban renters.
They are deceptive labels used to hide the complete lack of basic amenities.
They romantically reframe a housing situation driven by severe space shortages.
They prove that modern professionals inherently prefer minimalist interior designs.
Which of the following best serves as the title for the passage?
The Aesthetic Glamour and Appeal of Minimalist Micro-Housing
Micro-Apartments: A Market-Driven Compromise for Urban Renters
How Real Estate Developers Lower Housing Prices in Hong Kong
Urban Land Scarcity: The Primary Driver of Career Mobility
Read the following passage and choose the best answer for each blank.
FLAVORS FOR A CAUSE — Street Food Festival & Charity Fundraiser!
Get ready for a weekend that's truly a for the senses — dozens of local vendors, live music, and mouth-watering dishes from every corner of the city, all in one place! This year, our festival isn't just about great food; it's about giving back to families in need.
Either the organizers or the volunteers available at every single stall to help things run smoothly and answer any questions you might have. Every vendor has agreed to help raise funds for the City Children's Hospital, so your appetite truly becomes a(n) for good.
the merrier, so bring your friends, your family, and anyone who loves great food for a great cause! We're already looking forward to tasting incredible dishes while supporting something that matters. , several local celebrities will be dropping by to meet festival-goers and autographs throughout the day.
Come hungry, leave happy, and help us make a real difference!
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful conversation.
a. Mark: I'd love to! But I have to finish my math homework before 8 PM.
b. Phong: No problem! Let's book the 8:30 PM show then.
c. Phong: Are you free to watch the new superhero movie with me tonight, Mark?
a - b - c
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful conversation.
a. Amara: People keep criticising the WHO for reacting too slowly during the pandemic. What's your take?
b. Amara: Why do you see it that way? Plenty of countries acted faster on their own.
c. Theo: I actually think the criticism is a bit unfair given the constraints they were working under.
d. Amara: I hadn't thought about it from that angle. I'll admit my view might need some adjusting.
e. Theo: Because the WHO has to coordinate consensus among nearly two hundred member states before issuing any global guidance.
c – a – b – e – d
a – c – b – e – d
a – e – c – b – d
c – d – e – b – a
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful letter.
Dear Mrs Coleman,
a. I am writing to express my wish to continue renting the flat at 14 Birchwood Lane beyond the current lease's expiry date.
b. Having lived here for nearly three years, I have grown genuinely fond of the neighbourhood and the sense of community it offers.
c. I would like to propose renewing the lease for a further twelve months, ideally under the same monthly rate as before.
d. I would appreciate it if you could let me know your decision by the end of this month, so that I may plan accordingly.
e. Thank you for your consideration, and I remain happy to discuss any of the terms further at your convenience.
Yours sincerely,
David Cooper
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful text.
a. Several other firms in the industry have since followed its example and launched similar programmes for their managers.
b. Its response was to send every manager on a six-week course in emotional intelligence.
c. A large insurance company discovered through a staff survey that many employees were leaving because their managers rarely listened to them.
d. These new skills made a clear difference, as the number of staff leaving fell by almost half within a year.
e. During the course, managers practised recognising their own feelings and responding calmly when team members were upset.
Choose the best way to rearrange the following sentences in order to make a meaningful text.
a. These containers could be lifted by cranes directly from a lorry onto a ship without ever being opened.
b. Because nothing had to be unpacked, loading times fell from days to hours and shipping costs dropped sharply.
c. Cheaper transport, in turn, allowed factories to sell their products far beyond their own countries.
d. Frustrated by these delays, an American trucking businessman named Malcolm McLean came up with a simple idea: packing goods into standard steel boxes.
e. Before the 1950s, ships had been loaded by hand, a slow process that could keep them in port for over a week.