The idea of green living has become increasingly prominent as the world confronts worsening environmental challenges. Many people now view eco-friendly habits - such as reducing waste, saving energy, or choosing sustainable products - as essential markers of responsible citizenship. These behaviours are widely promoted in schools, workplaces, and media campaigns, suggesting that meaningful environmental progress begins with individual action. Yet researchers argue that while such choices contribute to public awareness, they often create an impression of effectiveness that far exceeds their actual impact. Real progress, they claim, depends less on personal lifestyle changes and more on coordinated reforms across industries and governments.

Companies have quickly recognised the commercial value of green living. [I] A growing number of brands advertise their products using terms like “eco-safe,” “green-approved,” or “low-carbon,” even when such claims remain only loosely supported by scientific evidence. Although these labels appeal to consumers who wish to make environmentally responsible decisions, they frequently provide little clarity about the product’s true footprint. This marketing trend - sometimes described as consumer-driven sustainability - has accelerated faster than any formal mechanism for checking its accuracy. [II] This creates an environment in which environmental responsibility appears widespread, even when actual production practices remain largely unchanged.

Another challenge arises from the narrative that environmental protection is primarily a matter of personal discipline. Advocates of green living often highlight the cumulative value of small actions, arguing that millions of responsible choices can help reshape environmental outcomes. While such actions play a role in creating a culture of sustainability, they can also distract attention from the sectors that generate the majority of emissions. [III] In this way, green living may unintentionally shift responsibility onto individuals while allowing major polluters to avoid public scrutiny. Environmental experts warn that unless structural reforms are placed at the centre of sustainability agendas, lifestyle changes alone will fall short of the scale needed to address the crisis. [IV] Green-living, therefore, should be understood as a useful starting point - one that encourages civic participation and awareness - but not as a replacement for decisive policy and industrial change.

Question 31. According to paragraph 1, individual green habits ____________.

A. are promoted as the most effective solution to climate change

B. give a sense of contribution that may not match their real impact

C. have been proven to deliver large-scale environmental improvements

D. are rarely encouraged by schools and public institutions

Question 32. The word “they” in paragraph 1 refers to ____________.

A. researchers                B. campaigns                        C. choices                        D. challenges

Question 33. The word “clarity” in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by ____________.

A. accuracy                B. confidence                        C. certainty                        D. transparency

Question 34. Which of the following best summarises paragraph 2?

A. Companies use green-themed labels to meet strict environmental standards.

B. Corporate green claims often lack verification, leaving consumers misinformed.

C. Consumer-driven sustainability has reduced the need for government regulation.

D. Marketing transparency has improved as brands adopt eco-friendly practices.

Question 35. Which of the following is NOT stated as a feature of green marketing claims?

A. labels such as “eco-safe”                                B. limited scientific support

C. rapid expansion of eco-advertising                D. strict verification by authorities

Question 36. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?

A. Green living can accidentally place most of the environmental burden on the general public instead of holding major polluters accountable.

B. Green living ensures that individuals correct their habits before expecting major polluters to change theirs.

C. Green living suggests that environmental outcomes rely mainly on personal choices rather than demanding action from major polluters.

D. Green living limits how much attention the public pays to environmental issues caused by major polluters.

Question 37. According to the passage, advocates of green living often claim that ____________.

A. large-scale change depends mainly on government action

B. industries are responsible for the majority of emissions

C. small everyday actions can collectively make a difference

D. consumers should avoid buying green-certified products

Question 38. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

A. The absence of rigorous oversight has allowed environmentally themed claims to flourish largely unchecked.

B. Consumers are generally equipped to scrutinise green labels with the same precision as scientific evaluators.

C. Corporations seldom rely on ecological rhetoric because it offers little strategic advantage in competitive markets.

D. System-wide policy reforms are portrayed as secondary measures that merely complement individual behavioural shifts.

Question 39. Where in the passage does the following sentence best fit?

"As a result, customers are often left to rely on vague slogans rather than verified information."

A. [I]                        B. [II]                                C. [III]                                D. [IV]

Question 40. Which of the following best summarises the whole passage?

A. The rising enthusiasm for green living shows that personal discipline is widely viewed as the foundation of environmental responsibility, regardless of broader political or industrial action.

B. Recent shifts in consumer behaviour demonstrate that lifestyle adjustments are now widely seen as the primary solution to environmental degradation, rendering larger policy reforms increasingly unnecessary.

C. Although individual environmental habits help cultivate public awareness, they remain insufficient unless matched by structural reforms that address the systemic forces driving ecological damage.

D. While green marketing reflects consumers’ growing desire for sustainable choices, its reliance on unverified claims exposes significant gaps in corporate accountability.

Urbanisation, a process once associated primarily with industrial expansion, has evolved into a multidimensional transformation reshaping societies worldwide. As cities expand, policymakers face mounting pressure to balance economic development with social equity, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation. Although urbanisation has historically been viewed as a sign of national progress, contemporary debates highlight its uneven consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations whose livelihoods are increasingly threatened.

Modern urban growth is driven not only by rural-to-urban migration but also by demographic change and the expansion of large-infrastructure projects. These forces accelerate the conversion of agricultural land into residential and commercial zones. However, this rapid expansion often outpaces the capacity of municipal governments to provide adequate housing, transportation, and waste-management systems. As a result, informal settlements grow on the edges of cities, showing problems in government management that are hard to solve. As a result, informal settlements grow on the edges of cities, revealing systemic failures that governments struggle to confront.

Despite its challenges, urbanisation also presents opportunities for innovation. Cities that adopt data- driven planning, integrated public transit, and green infrastructure can mitigate congestion and enhance residents’ quality of life. Furthermore, urban hubs attract diverse talent pools, making them engines of creativity and technological advancement. Yet critics argue that such innovation disproportionately benefits affluent districts, reinforcing spatial inequalities that limit social mobility for lower-income communities.

Increasingly, researchers are calling for a “resilient urbanism” approach - one that emphasises citizen participation, long-term ecological stability, and inclusive policy frameworks. This model encourages city leaders to anticipate climate-related disruptions, redesign public spaces to withstand extreme weather, and ensure that marginalised groups have meaningful influence in urban decision-making. Whether governments can adopt these principles consistently remains uncertain, but many experts contend that the future of urbanisation will depend on how effectively cities address these intertwined social and environmental challenges.

Question 23. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 1 as a concern related to urbanisation?

A. cultural preservation                                B. environmental sustainability

C. agricultural productivity                                D. social equity

Question 24. The word “These forces” in paragraph 2 refers to ____________.

A. informal settlements and systemic failures

B. demographic change and large infrastructure projects

C. municipal governments and private developers

D. social equity and cultural preservation

Question 25. Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 2?

A. City authorities expand urban areas by creating new districts that can be easily managed by officials.

B. informal housing on city outskirts increases, exposing governance gaps that authorities find difficult to fix.

C. Local governments allow settlement growth on the outskirts as a means to address housing demands.

D. Informal settlements decline when city planners successfully manage infrastructure and services.

Question 26. The word “engines” in paragraph 3 could be best replaced by ____________.

A. drivers                B. machines                        C. vehicles                        D. tools

Question 27. Which of the following is TRUE according to paragraph 3?

A. Innovation in cities usually benefits all neighbourhoods equally.

B. Urban hubs often foster creativity and technological growth.

C. Critics believe that innovation slows down economic productivity.

D. Green infrastructure worsens congestion in large cities.

Question 28. The word “disruptions” in paragraph 4 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ____________.

A. damage                B. disturbances                C. interruptions                D. stability

Question 29. In which paragraph does the writer mention spatial inequalities?

A. Paragraph 1        B. Paragraph 2                        C. Paragraph 3                        D. Paragraph 4

Question 30. In which paragraph does the writer mention a model for future urban development?

A. Paragraph 1        B. Paragraph 2                        C. Paragraph 3                        D. Paragraph 4

Although smell is often considered the least valued of the five senses, scientists now understand that it forms one of the most immediate links between the brain and the outside world. A scent can reach the area of the brain connected with emotions and memories in just two seconds, which partly explains why certain aromas can instantly trigger vivid recollections. Yet the precise mechanism behind this influence remains unclear, (18) ____________.

Nevertheless, smell also (19) ____________. Apparently, people respond more strongly to subtle chemical cues than they realise, and even first impressions can be shaped by scent. Many individuals tend to be attracted to those (20) ____________. Interestingly, people also smell of what they eat, which may further affect how they are perceived.

In consumer behaviour, the impact of scent has become a topic of substantial interest. In one well- known study, a majority of participants reported being more willing to buy a pair of trainers when the shop environment smelled pleasantly floral. (21) ____________. The use of fragrance has gradually become a marketing tool across different industries. Today, many companies deliberately integrate scent into their branding strategies to create welcoming environments and encourage customers to stay longer. However, experts warn that scent-based persuasion has its limits. (22) ____________.

Question 18.

A. even though scientists have already found some clues about how it works

B. because many people still do not pay attention to their sense of smell

C. so researchers have stopped all experiments related to the topic

D. but most experts agree that smell affects emotions very strongly

Question 19.

A. plays a surprisingly important role in social interaction

B. help people understand certain feelings during simple daily conversations

C. affecting the way we react to others when we first meet them

D. works as a main tool for solving difficult mathematical problem

Question 20.

A. whose scent appears incompatible with their own body chemistry

B. who appear to have no noticeable scent in the daily life at all

C. whose natural smell seems to align with their own body chemistry

D. who constantly try to mask their natural smell with strong perfumes

Question 21.

A. This demonstrates how carefully people assess the objective quality of a product

B. Such findings suggest that environmental cues can subtly shape purchasing decisions

C. The study concluded that floral shops are the most effective retail spaces

D. Customers primarily buy products based on visual design rather than scent

Question 22.

A. Most customers cannot detect any attempt to influence them through scent

B. People always respond positively to pleasant smells regardless of context

C. Scent-based strategies work only when combined with loud music and bright lighting

D. Consumers may resist such tactics if they feel the intention behind them is too obvious

Question 13.

a. Alice: Sure! Just go straight down this road and take a right at the first intersection. It will be on your left.

b. Bella: Excuse me, can you tell me where the nearest bakery is? I’m really in the mood for some pastries!

c. Bella: Thank you so much! I really appreciate your help.

A. c-a-b                B. b-a-c                        C. c-b-a                        D. a-c-b

Question 14.

a. Emma: It talked about the immense pressure we face to excel in so many areas of life.

b. Olivia: No, I haven’t seen it. What did it cover?

c. Emma: Hey, did you catch that new documentary about the challenges facing teens today?

d. Olivia: I know what you mean. It feels like we have to be perfect at everything.

e. Emma: Exactly! And then there's the constant social media scrutiny. It's exhausting.

A. c-a-b-d-e                B. b-a-c-e-d                        C. c-b-a-d-e                        D. b-c-a-e-d

Question 15.

Hi Micky,

a. Your tips made a noticeable difference in my cooking.

b. Thanks again for recommending those useful tips, I really appreciate them.

c. Let's catch up soon to exchange more tips and ideas for improving our cooking skills.

d. Since then, I've already started researching more about the topic and trying out some recipes.

e. I've been thinking a lot about what we discussed last time, especially about mastering new techniques in cooking.

Write back soon, Rose

A. b-c-a-d-e                B. b-d-e-a-c                        C. e-a-d-b-c                        D. e-b-c-a-d

Question 16.

a. Companies often promote their products in a way that plays on people's desires, making them feel that purchasing these goods is a must.

b. These fraudulent campaigns are designed in a manner that convinces people they are supporting a noble cause, even though their money is being misused.

c. Advertising through mass media is one of the most powerful ways to influence consumer behavior today.

d. When advertisements present products as if they are the solution to all of life's problems, consumers are more likely to believe they need them.

e. However, this power can also be misused, as some scammers use media platforms to deceive people into donating to fake charitable causes.

A. c-b-e-d-a                B. c-a-d-e-b                        C. c-e-b-a-d                        D. d-e-a-c-b

Question 17.

a. These individual efforts, when combined with broader policy changes and community involvement, can lead to a significant positive impact on global environmental health.

b. Green living has become a crucial part of tackling the environmental crises we face today, as it not only helps preserve natural resources but also ensures the well-being of future generations.

c. By making small changes such as reducing plastic consumption, using energy-efficient appliances, and opting for eco-friendly transportation methods like cycling or using electric cars, we can dramatically reduce our carbon footprint.

d. Shifting towards a plant-based diet further contributes to sustainability, as the agricultural industry, particularly livestock farming, is one of the leading contributors to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

e. In addition, many people are adopting renewable energy solutions, like solar panels or wind turbines, which, in the long run, not only decrease our reliance on non-renewable resources but also lower electricity bills.

A. b-e-c-a-d                B. d-e-c-b-a                        C. d-a-e-c-b                        D. b-c-e-d-a

How to Fight Fatigue Effectively

Feeling constantly tired can reduce your productivity and lower your overall well-being. To manage fatigue better, try building a healthy routine (7) ____________ boosting your daily energy levels.

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule and avoid screen time before bed, (8) ____________ this habit can interfere with your natural sleep rhythm.
• Fuel your body with balanced meals rich in protein and whole grains instead of (9) ____________ that cause sudden energy crashes.
• Incorporate short bursts of movement into your day. Even a few minutes of (10) ____________ physical activity, such as stretching or walking, can refresh your mind.
• Share your goals with friends or family and encourage (11) ____________ to participate so you can stay motivated together.
• When you feel tired, try calming techniques like breathing exercises or listening to music to help you get back (12) ____________ and feel more refreshed.

Question 7. A. of                B. in                                C. for                                D. on

Question 8. A. as                B. but                                C. yet                                D. so

Question 9. A. ultra processed foods                                B. foods processed ultra

       C. processed ultra foods                                D. foods ultra processed

Question 10. A. soft                B. light                        C. slight                        D. mild

Question 11. A. another        B. the others                        C. other                        D. others

Question 12. A. at ease        B. in charge                        C. on track                        D. off balance