You will hear five different people talking about the place they live in. Listen and choose the answer that best fits each speaker's feelings about their place of residence.
Speaker 1
Speaker 2
Speaker 3
Speaker 4
Speaker 5
You will hear an interview in which Karl Mann, a university research scientist, and Laura Fern, a secondary school science teacher, talk about teaching people science.
Listen and answer the following questions.
Karl Mann starts by talking about his work _____
Laura Fern assumes that the people Karl works with _____
What does Karl think of the science curriculum Laura describes?
In Laura's experience as a teacher, _____
Karl points out that the people he works with _____
Read the following passage and choose the best answer for each blank.
Melbourne's vibrant coffee scene is often cited as a primary reason for its global appeal. This rich culture largely owes its to the influx of Italian migrants in the 1960s, who brought their sophisticated espresso traditions with them. These traditions quickly in Melbourne's unique laneway system, transforming once-overlooked alleys into bustling hubs of aromatic activity. The city now boasts an impressive of cafes, each offering meticulously crafted brews from diverse regions. , coffee is not merely a beverage here; it is an integral part of the daily rhythm, fostering social connections and fueling the city's creative spirit. Visitors often find themselves drawn into this immersive experience, discovering new blends and appreciating the nuanced flavors. This pervasive coffee culture has undoubtedly contributed to Melbourne's reputation as a culinary capital, attracting a considerable of enthusiasts from all walks of life. The sheer of choices ensures that every coffee connoisseur finds their perfect cup.
Read the following passage and choose the best answer for each blank.
Interpreting the feelings of other people is not always easy, as we all know, and we as much on what they seem to be telling us, as on the actual words they say. Facial expression and tone of voice are obvious ways of showing our reaction to something, and it may well be that we express views that we are trying to hide. The art of being tactful lies in picking up these signals, realising what the other person is trying to say, and acting so that they are not embarrassed in any way. For example, we may understand that they are in fact reluctant to answer our question, and so we stop pressing them. Body movements in general may also feelings, and interviewers often pay particular attention to the way a candidate for a job walks into the room and sits down. However, it is not difficult to present the right kind of appearance while what many employers want to know relates to the candidate's character traits, and psychological stability. This raises the awkward question of whether job candidates should be asked to and the further problem of whether such tests actually produce reliable results. For many people, being asked to take part in such a test would be an objectionable into their private lives.
After all, a prospective employer would hardly ask a candidate to run a hundred metres, or expect his or her family doctor to provide medical information. Quite apart from this problem, can such tests predict whether a person is likely to be a conscientious employee or a valued colleague?
Read the following passage and choose the option that best fits each of the blanks.
With all of these benefits to being out in nature, it’s probably no surprise that (1) _____. Being outdoors gives us energy, makes us happier, helps us to relieve the everyday stresses of our overscheduled lives, opens the door to creativity, and helps us to be kind to others.
No one knows if there is an ideal amount of nature exposure, though Strayer says that longtime backpackers suggest a minimum of three days to really unplug from our everyday lives. Nor can anyone say for sure how nature compares to other forms of stress relief or attention restoration, such as sleep or meditation. Both Strayer and Bratman say we need a lot more careful research (2) _____.
Still, the research does suggest there is something about nature that keeps us psychologically healthy, and that is good to know, especially since nature is a resource that is free and (3) _____. Results like these should encourage us as a society to consider more carefully how we preserve our wilderness spaces and our urban parks.
And while the research may not be conclusive, Strayer is optimistic (4) _____ that there is something about nature that renews us, allowing us to feel better, to think better, and to deepen our understanding of ourselves and others.
“You can’t have centuries of people writing about this and not have something going on,” says Strayer. “If you are constantly on a device or in front of a screen, (5) _____.”
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 passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
In 2016, a hunter sitting in a high wooden stand near the German town of Bad Ems noticed something strange: a patch of grain with an unusual color. When archaeologists arrived and sent up a drone, they discovered a double track stretching across the field. This turned out to be the remnants of a 2,000-year-old Roman military camp. Further digging revealed wooden towers and sharpened stakes-defensive structures that Julius Caesar had written about, but which had never been physically found before.
Without the hunter's observation and the drone's overhead perspective, this ancient camp might have stayed hidden forever. In fact, the use of satellites and drones has revolutionized archaeological research. These tools allow experts to see tiny changes in the color and shape of the ground in places like jungles, shallow waters, and deserts, which are often invisible from the surface.
In hazardous or hard-to-reach areas like Afghanistan, spy satellites have been extremely useful. They have uncovered lost outposts along the Silk Road and traces of vanished empires, including large caravanserais (roadside inns for ancient travelers). Because these areas were too risky to visit in person, researchers used remote mapping to study and protect the country's history from a distance.
Deserts have also provided many discoveries. Satellite photos found more than a hundred fortified settlements in the Sahara belonging to the Garamantes, an advanced civilization from ancient times. By looking at these images, researchers identified walled towns, villages, and complex irrigation systems that had been buried by sand for centuries.
Even old data can be useful. Satellite images from the Cold War era have helped archaeologists find ancient roads and water systems across the Middle East. Today, drones equipped with LiDAR technology are taking things even further. LiDAR works by firing laser beams at the ground and measuring how they bounce back. This allows researchers to create 3D maps of what lies beneath thick trees and plants. This 'non-invasive' method means archaeologists can explore the past without having to dig up or damage the ground.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a benefit of satellite or drone technology in archaeology?
The word "They" in paragraph 3 refers to ______.
Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?
The word "remnants" in paragraph 1 could best be replaced by _____.
The word "hazardous" in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to _____.
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
In which paragraph does the author mention using "old" technology to make "new" discoveries?
In which paragraph does the writer describe the identification of residential settlements and water management systems?
Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.
The Vietnamese digital landscape in 2026 has been captivated by a poignant social media phenomenon: the 'Decade Dialogue' trend. [I] This movement involves users creating split-screen videos to simulate a conversation between their current selves and their personas from 2016. [II] By juxtaposing archived footage with contemporary responses, participants reflect on a decade of profound personal and societal metamorphosis. [III] The allure of this trend is multifaceted: it provides a nostalgic sanctuary, facilitates the public processing of maturation, and fosters a unique sense of collective memory among Gen Z and Millennials. [IV]
For many, the potency of these vignettes lies in their raw emotional candor. This atmosphere of reflection often transcends mere sentimentality, leading to profound introspections regarding the fleeting nature of time. Vague idealistic slogans such as 'chasing one's passion' abound in the 2016 segments, yet the 2026 responses provide a sobering reality check. Many viewers find themselves moved by creators addressing past traumas or the loss of loved ones, effectively transforming the trend into a medium for communal digital catharsis. However, these videos frequently accentuate the 'expectation gap' - the stark disparity between youthful ambitions and the intricate realities of adulthood - thereby exposing the capricious trajectories of human life. As these dialogues proliferate, they risk trivializing complex life struggles into curated, aestheticized clips, yet they undeniably fortify the emotional rapport between creators and their digital communities.
The implications of this trend extend beyond ephemeral entertainment. As sociologists scrutinize the impact of digital archiving on self-identity, this trend constructs a narrative that reconciles disparate life stages. Stakeholders in the attention economy often overshadow the authentic, grassroots origins of the movement by co-opting it for 'nostalgia marketing' purposes. Regulators and platform moderators have begun to monitor these trends, warning that the sudden resurgence of old data can precipitate privacy infringements or 'digital haunting'. Yet the velocity of cultural evolution often outpaces the development of technical safeguards, leaving users to navigate the labyrinth of their digital legacies with little institutional guidance.
What future, then, awaits the 'Decade Dialogue'? History offers a cautionary script: just as previous social media fads eventually receded into obsolescence, so too will this trend undergo its own inevitable dilution. In the long run, only platforms that prioritize meaningful connection and rigorous data protection will remain viable. True growth is not merely the performative display of 'evolution' for an audience but having the fortitude to integrate past vulnerabilities while forging a future anchored in authentic self-awareness.
According to paragraph 1, the 'Decade Dialogue' trend is characterized by _____.
Where in the passage would the following sentence best fit?
It functions as a temporal bridge, allowing the seasoned adult to provide solace to the unpolished dreamer of the past.
Which of the following best summarizes the main argument in paragraph 2?
The underlined phrase 'expectation gap' in paragraph 2 most closely refers to _____.
The word 'overshadow' in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to _____.
According to paragraph 3, what is a primary difficulty in managing the risks of the 'Decade Dialogue'?
Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?
Which risk associated with the trend's viral nature is explicitly mentioned in the passage?
What can be inferred from the passage about the long-term viability of social media platforms?
Which of the following best summarizes the entire passage?
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. Oh, a lot. Pho, Quang noodles, Hanoi vermicelli, mixed rice paper and especially Hoi An Cao Lau is very tasty.
b. Is this your first time coming to Vietnam?
c. That's right. I have researched on YouTube, TikTok and Facebook.
d. That's right. I am really impressed with Vietnamese cuisine. Everything is really delicious.
e. So what dishes have you eaten?
f. I'm sure you've learned about Vietnam's culinary culture before coming here, right?
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. Consequently, the integration of these sensors into urban infrastructure allows for real-time monitoring of air quality, providing citizens with immediate health alerts.
b. In the initial phase of the project, engineers must calibrate the high-precision sensors to ensure that even trace amounts of pollutants are accurately detected.
c. Once the calibration is complete, the data gathered is transmitted to a centralized cloud platform where machine learning algorithms filter out atmospheric noise.
d. Despite these technological advancements, city planners must still grapple with the political challenge of implementing traffic restrictions based on the data.
e. Modern urban centers are increasingly turning to Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to combat the growing crisis of invisible particulate matter.
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. The bar charts illustrate the proportions of electricity generated from four different fuel sources in Country X and Country Y during 2020.
b. In contrast, Country Y relied most heavily on natural gas, which accounted for nearly half of its total power generation.
c. Overall, while Country X prioritized renewable energy, Country Y remained significantly dependent on fossil fuels.
d. Specifically, wind and solar power made up the largest share in Country X at 45%, followed by coal at 25%.
e. Finally, nuclear power contributed the smallest percentage in both nations, remaining below 10% in each case.
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. However, despite the growing importance of continuous learning, many adults still face barriers to accessing education, such as time constraints and financial challenges.
b. The rise of online courses and self-paced learning platforms has made it easier for people of all ages to acquire new skills.
c. Lifelong learning is becoming increasingly essential as the job market evolves, requiring workers to stay updated with new technologies and methodologies.
d. Over the past decade, there has been a growing recognition of the value of lifelong learning, both in professional and personal contexts.
e. This shift in attitude towards learning has led to more people pursuing further education, with an increasing number of individuals enrolling in online degree programs and skill-building workshops.
Choose the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text.
a. According to the researchers, the material is engineered so that its molecular structure can be safely dismantled after disposal.
b. Scientists in 2026 have announced a promising breakthrough in the development of sustainable plastics designed to reduce long-term environmental pollution.
c. If the technology becomes commercially viable, it may transform how plastic products are produced, used, and ultimately recycled or degraded.
d. This innovation could help address the global plastic waste crisis, which has become one of the most urgent environmental challenges of the 21st century.
e. A team of researchers has created a new type of material that can remain stable during normal use but rapidly break down when triggered by specific chemical conditions.