Read the following passage about human life expectancy and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

Milu was born in a small village in the north of India, and never had the chance of going to school, because her family needed her to work. So she grew up never having learned to read or write. She was a little sad about it, but she didn't let it upset her too much, and tried to think about other things.

She went through life, never being able to do what she wanted, because she felt that if she couldn't read, then she was somehow less than everybody else. This meant that she didn't make many friends and didn't go out much. She thought people would think she was stupid, and she didn't want them to laugh at her.

When she was fifty-six, she got a job cleaning a school and when she had finished her work, she used to sit and watch the little kids do their lessons. She didn't realise that one of the teachers watched her while she watched the kids, and one day, as she was about to leave, the teacher asked her to sit in the class. The kids thought it was very funny, but the teacher patiently started Milu on her first lesson to learn to read.

That was a few years ago, and now Milu can read and write as well as any of the other kids. She still cleans the school because she likes her job, but she doesn't feel less than everybody else anymore. The teacher, who is now her friend, sometimes gives her a book to read and she learns about people living in other parts of the world.

She has a granddaughter who studies at the same school, and sometimes she helps her with her homework. Being able to do that makes her feel so happy that when she stays alone she has a little cry. When she was in her little village as a child, she would never have dreamt that one day she would be able to help her granddaughter with her homework. She owes gratitude to her teacher friend for the gift she was given.

 

Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?

Read the following passage about education in Nepal and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.

An education pioneer born into rural poverty in Nepal has opened 30 schools in a bid to boost prospects for his country's children.

The World Bank ranks Nepal as the globe's 31st poorest country, with almost 10 million people living on daily incomes between £1.48 and £2.50. Many rural villages remain unreached by government schooling and adult literacy stood at just 60 per cent in 2011.

Surya Karki and his charity United World Schools Nepal (UWS) are tackling high illiteracy and poverty rates by funding and improving education.

The first school opened in 2015 – since then 92 per cent of children have completed primary education, which finishes at age eight, and continued into secondary education with UWS schools. In comparison to 39 per cent of students continuing education who attended government schools.

Mr Karki was born into poverty in rural Nepal. Speaking to the Telegraph he said: “School is the only solution to the poverty cycle that we live in. I was raised by a single mother in a male-dominated society.

“The school that I went to was approximately two hours walk away. My house was on top of a hill and my mother had to drag me across rivers. We used to walk 10 miles a day. The schooling was really bad.”

Of the students who would go to school, he said: “They would end up in the same place, as cheap migrant workers in Qatar, Saudi, or Dubai. There was no value in education – no success stories.”

[A] Karki’s mother was a firm believer in education, and at age eight Karki secured a scholarship to study in the capital, Kathmandu. [B] From there he won scholarships and completed Masters degrees in China and the United States. [C] Karki said. “Inequalities in a country can only be decreased if there is access to knowledge.” [D]

The devastating earthquake in 2015 damaged 9,300 schools, displacing hundreds of thousands of families and pushing 700,000 people into poverty. As of January 2018, only 2,891 schools had been rebuilt. Karki said: “We came at a crucial time, where we could redo or undo what had been done badly. Education was really bad in terms of infrastructure, quality of teachers, training. It was an opportunity for us to really make things better.”

UWS Nepal has so far built 30 schools and has seven more in construction. The schools run between 10 am and 3:30 pm, and have an 86 per cent average attendance rate, which Karki says is almost double the attendance rates for government schools in the vicinity. Sexual health classes are taught to the children in the later years.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

Vietnamese Women’s Achievements

Women have always played an important role in Vietnam’s history. Some fight for their country, some inspire others, and some make positive changes to society. Their contributions have shaped the nation in various ways, leaving a lasting impact on culture, politics, and the arts.

Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị are famous examples of women who fought for their country’s freedom. Known in Vietnamese as “Hai Bà Trưng,” the Trưng sisters successfully led their people in a rebellion against foreign invaders in 40 A.D. After their victory, they ruled the country for three years, demonstrating remarkable leadership and bravery. As the first female rulers of Vietnam, the Trưng sisters have become symbols of patriotism and resilience. Their significance is even greater considering that Vietnamese women at the time had very limited access to education and politics. Their story continues to inspire generations.

Sương Nguyệt Anh is another example of an influential Vietnamese woman. As the daughter of the patriotic poet Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, she mastered literature from a young age. She worked as a teacher before becoming the editor-in-chief of Nữ Giới Chung, the first women’s newspaper in Sài Gòn, in 1918. As the first female editor in Vietnam, she made significant contributions to the press, feminism, and poetry. Through her work, she promoted women’s rights and encouraged female empowerment.

A third example is Điềm Phùng Thị. She graduated from Hà Nội Medical University in 1946 and earned a PhD in dentistry in France in 1954. However, she later pursued a career in sculpture, creating artworks that reflected her love for Vietnam. She exhibited her work throughout Europe and became the first female Vietnamese member of the European Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1992. Her name was later recorded in the Larousse Dictionary of Painters, recognizing her as a remarkable artist.

In which paragraph is Điềm Phùng Thị’s artistic career discussed?

Read the following passage about endangered languages and mark the letter A, B, Cor D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

Ada Lovelace, born in London in 1815, is widely recognized as the world's first computer programmer. Despite the limited opportunities for women in science and mathematics during her time, Lovelace's intelligence and passion for math set her apart. Her mother, Anne Isabella Milbanke, encouraged her mathematical studies from a young age, in contrast to her father, the famous poet Lord Byron.

Lovelace's most significant contribution came from her collaboration with Charles Babbage, the inventor of an early mechanical computer called the Analytical Engine. In 1843, she translated an article about the machine written by an Italian engineer.

However, it was her own detailed notes added to the translation that made history. These notes, which were longer than the original article, included what is now considered the first algorithm designed to be executed by a machine. This made Lovelace the first person to recognize that computers could follow instructions to perform tasks beyond simple calculations.

What truly set Lovelace apart was her visionary thinking. While Babbage saw the Analytical Engine as a tool for calculations, Lovelace believed it could be used for much more. She imagined that computers could be programmed to create music, art, and more, long before the development of modern computers. Her forward- thinking ideas laid the foundation for the field of computer science and continue to influence technology today.

In which paragraph does the author mention the fact that Lovelace worked with someone else?

Read the following passage about global warming and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 18 to 22.

ADMIRING A U.S. PRESIDENT

One of the most influential figures in American history is Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served as the 32nd President of the United States. (18) ______. He is known for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II. His New Deal programs aimed to provide relief for the unemployed and stimulate economic recovery. Roosevelt’s ability to communicate with the American people through his fireside chats (19) ______.

His policies helped reshape the role of the federal government in the economy, leading to lasting changes that continue to impact the nation today. (20) ______. Roosevelt's vision for a more inclusive America resonated with many citizens, and his commitment to social welfare programs has left a significant legacy.

Additionally, his determination and resilience during his battle with polio (21) ______. This experience shaped his empathy for the struggles of others and influenced his approach to governance. His leadership style is often admired for its ability to unite the country in times of crisis. (22) ______. His enduring impact is evident in the policies and institutions that were established during his presidency. 

Read the following announcement and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 1 to 6.

Announcement: Special TV Program with Haile Gebrselassie

We are excited to announce a (1)______ featuring Haile Gebrselassie, a world-famous athlete, known for his incredible achievements in long-distance running. Born in Ethiopia, Haile faced many challenges on his way to success. He (2)______ a decision to attend a school far from his house, which meant he had to run long distances every day. This routine helped him develop the endurance that later made him a champion.

His dedication and hard work led him to win multiple Olympic gold medals and break numerous world records. It was not easy (3)______ these incredible performances, but his determination and passion for running never faded. One of his most remarkable victories was the 10,000-meter race, (4)______ him fame and money, making him a legend in the sport.

Haile then became a (5)______ in long-distance running, inspiring athletes worldwide. Everyone admires Haile (6)______ his perseverance, humility, and contributions to sports development. Don’t miss this exclusive interview, where he will share his journey and insights. Tune in this Sunday at 8 PM!

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text in each of the following questions from 13 to 17

a. In 1976, Steve Jobs co-founded Apple Inc. with Steve Wozniak. They introduced the Apple II that became popular due to its user-friendly design.

b. Eventually, Apple purchased NeXT in 1996, and Jobs returned to Apple as CEO, he introduced revolutionary products such as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

c. After that, Jobs left Apple in 1985 and founded NeXT Inc., which focused on creating high-end workstations.

d. Unfortunately, Jobs passed away on October 5, 2011, leaving behind a legacy as a visionary entrepreneur and innovator.

e. While managing NeXT Inc., Jobs also became the CEO of Pixar Animation Studios, which produced successful films.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 17 to 24.

On November 12th, 2024, Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy, representing Vietnam, made history when she was crowned Miss International 2024. This marks Vietnam’s first victory in the Miss International pageant, highlighting the dedication and talent of its representatives on the global stage.

Born in 2002, Thanh Thuy is known both for her beauty and strong academic background. She is currently studying at both the University of Da Nang and Greenwich Vietnam University. Fluent in English and Korean, Thanh Thủy’s language skills added to her confident performance throughout the competition.

Thanh Thuy’s journey was not always easy: in her younger years, she faced bullying due to her appearance, which affected self-esteem and mental healh. However, she chose to rise above these difficulties by focusing on self-improvement and embracing her own unique qualities instead of trying to change her personality. This great determination and positive outlook played an essential role in her journey to success.

In the final round, Thanh Thuy was asked about the most significant global development impacting the education system of her generation. Despite the challenging question, Thuy gave a thoughtful response that impressed the judges. The young Vietnamese representative spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic, and emphasized the role of educational technology in providing students with diverse learning opportunities.

Thanh Thuy’s victory is not just a personal one. Future Vietnamese participants in beauty pageants and young women across Vietnam will surely be emboldened to follow their dreams with confidence thanks to her story.

Which of the following is TRUE about Thanh Thuy, according to the passage?

Read the following passage about endangered languages and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

AVICII’S LIFE AFTER REHAB

Once he completed his month in rehab, Avicii seemed to have a new outlook on life. He was meditating regularly, reading about the collective unconscious, and got a puppy. After not performing for a long period of time, he returned to the stage in 2016 at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival. It was announced a few days after this gig that he would not be performing live anymore. Avicii chose to not perform so that he could focus on bettering his mental health.

Despite appearing to have new-found stability, Avicii still struggled to deal with his mental health issues. While continuing to suppress the anxiety and depression that he frequently felt, Avicii also started to become disinterested in his music career. During this time, he was smoking and drinking on occasion which may have resulted in a resurgence of his disassociation feelings.

He told Tereza Kacerova, his girlfriend at the time, “What if everyone around me is just a projection in my mind? Sometimes I just think these things. About how nothing really matters.”

Avicii started to focus heavily on meditation which he found to be helpful in clearing the “nonsense” from his mind. He believed that a deep form of meditation taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a way to exercise his brain which he had decided would lead to his happiness. Despite this form of meditation typically being done in 20 minutes increments, Avicii would sometimes spend full days meditating in an attempt to reach enlightenment faster.

The phrase “new-found stability” in paragraph 2 suggests that Avicii felt

Read the following passage about education in Nepal and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.

An education pioneer born into rural poverty in Nepal has opened 30 schools in a bid to boost prospects for his country's children.

The World Bank ranks Nepal as the globe's 31st poorest country, with almost 10 million people living on daily incomes between £1.48 and £2.50. Many rural villages remain unreached by government schooling and adult literacy stood at just 60 per cent in 2011.

Surya Karki and his charity United World Schools Nepal (UWS) are tackling high illiteracy and poverty rates by funding and improving education.

The first school opened in 2015 – since then 92 per cent of children have completed primary education, which finishes at age eight, and continued into secondary education with UWS schools. In comparison to 39 per cent of students continuing education who attended government schools.

Mr Karki was born into poverty in rural Nepal. Speaking to the Telegraph he said: “School is the only solution to the poverty cycle that we live in. I was raised by a single mother in a male-dominated society.

“The school that I went to was approximately two hours walk away. My house was on top of a hill and my mother had to drag me across rivers. We used to walk 10 miles a day. The schooling was really bad.”

Of the students who would go to school, he said: “They would end up in the same place, as cheap migrant workers in Qatar, Saudi, or Dubai. There was no value in education – no success stories.”

[A] Karki’s mother was a firm believer in education, and at age eight Karki secured a scholarship to study in the capital, Kathmandu. [B] From there he won scholarships and completed Masters degrees in China and the United States. [C] Karki said. “Inequalities in a country can only be decreased if there is access to knowledge.” [D]

The devastating earthquake in 2015 damaged 9,300 schools, displacing hundreds of thousands of families and pushing 700,000 people into poverty. As of January 2018, only 2,891 schools had been rebuilt. Karki said: “We came at a crucial time, where we could redo or undo what had been done badly. Education was really bad in terms of infrastructure, quality of teachers, training. It was an opportunity for us to really make things better.”

UWS Nepal has so far built 30 schools and has seven more in construction. The schools run between 10 am and 3:30 pm, and have an 86 per cent average attendance rate, which Karki says is almost double the attendance rates for government schools in the vicinity. Sexual health classes are taught to the children in the later years.

Where does the following sentence best fit?

He returned to Nepal in 2015 and decided to stay and develop the education system.

Read the following passage about human life expectancy and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

Milu was born in a small village in the north of India, and never had the chance of going to school, because her family needed her to work. So she grew up never having learned to read or write. She was a little sad about it, but she didn't let it upset her too much, and tried to think about other things.

She went through life, never being able to do what she wanted, because she felt that if she couldn't read, then she was somehow less than everybody else. This meant that she didn't make many friends and didn't go out much. She thought people would think she was stupid, and she didn't want them to laugh at her.

When she was fifty-six, she got a job cleaning a school and when she had finished her work, she used to sit and watch the little kids do their lessons. She didn't realise that one of the teachers watched her while she watched the kids, and one day, as she was about to leave, the teacher asked her to sit in the class. The kids thought it was very funny, but the teacher patiently started Milu on her first lesson to learn to read.

That was a few years ago, and now Milu can read and write as well as any of the other kids. She still cleans the school because she likes her job, but she doesn't feel less than everybody else anymore. The teacher, who is now her friend, sometimes gives her a book to read and she learns about people living in other parts of the world.

She has a granddaughter who studies at the same school, and sometimes she helps her with her homework. Being able to do that makes her feel so happy that when she stays alone she has a little cry. When she was in her little village as a child, she would never have dreamt that one day she would be able to help her granddaughter with her homework. She owes gratitude to her teacher friend for the gift she was given.

Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 17 to 24.

On November 12th, 2024, Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy, representing Vietnam, made history when she was crowned Miss International 2024. This marks Vietnam’s first victory in the Miss International pageant, highlighting the dedication and talent of its representatives on the global stage.

Born in 2002, Thanh Thuy is known both for her beauty and strong academic background. She is currently studying at both the University of Da Nang and Greenwich Vietnam University. Fluent in English and Korean, Thanh Thủy’s language skills added to her confident performance throughout the competition.

Thanh Thuy’s journey was not always easy: in her younger years, she faced bullying due to her appearance, which affected self-esteem and mental healh. However, she chose to rise above these difficulties by focusing on self-improvement and embracing her own unique qualities instead of trying to change her personality. This great determination and positive outlook played an essential role in her journey to success.

In the final round, Thanh Thuy was asked about the most significant global development impacting the education system of her generation. Despite the challenging question, Thuy gave a thoughtful response that impressed the judges. The young Vietnamese representative spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic, and emphasized the role of educational technology in providing students with diverse learning opportunities.

Thanh Thuy’s victory is not just a personal one. Future Vietnamese participants in beauty pageants and young women across Vietnam will surely be emboldened to follow their dreams with confidence thanks to her story.

In which paragraph does the writer go into detail about Thuy’s performance at the competition?

Read the following passage about endangered languages and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

AVICII’S LIFE AFTER REHAB

Once he completed his month in rehab, Avicii seemed to have a new outlook on life. He was meditating regularly, reading about the collective unconscious, and got a puppy. After not performing for a long period of time, he returned to the stage in 2016 at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival. It was announced a few days after this gig that he would not be performing live anymore. Avicii chose to not perform so that he could focus on bettering his mental health.

Despite appearing to have new-found stability, Avicii still struggled to deal with his mental health issues. While continuing to suppress the anxiety and depression that he frequently felt, Avicii also started to become disinterested in his music career. During this time, he was smoking and drinking on occasion which may have resulted in a resurgence of his disassociation feelings.

He told Tereza Kacerova, his girlfriend at the time, “What if everyone around me is just a projection in my mind? Sometimes I just think these things. About how nothing really matters.”

Avicii started to focus heavily on meditation which he found to be helpful in clearing the “nonsense” from his mind. He believed that a deep form of meditation taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a way to exercise his brain which he had decided would lead to his happiness. Despite this form of meditation typically being done in 20 minutes increments, Avicii would sometimes spend full days meditating in an attempt to reach enlightenment faster.

In which paragraph does the author mention Avicii's struggle with his mental health?

Read the following passage about human life expectancy and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

Milu was born in a small village in the north of India, and never had the chance of going to school, because her family needed her to work. So she grew up never having learned to read or write. She was a little sad about it, but she didn't let it upset her too much, and tried to think about other things.

She went through life, never being able to do what she wanted, because she felt that if she couldn't read, then she was somehow less than everybody else. This meant that she didn't make many friends and didn't go out much. She thought people would think she was stupid, and she didn't want them to laugh at her.

When she was fifty-six, she got a job cleaning a school and when she had finished her work, she used to sit and watch the little kids do their lessons. She didn't realise that one of the teachers watched her while she watched the kids, and one day, as she was about to leave, the teacher asked her to sit in the class. The kids thought it was very funny, but the teacher patiently started Milu on her first lesson to learn to read.

That was a few years ago, and now Milu can read and write as well as any of the other kids. She still cleans the school because she likes her job, but she doesn't feel less than everybody else anymore. The teacher, who is now her friend, sometimes gives her a book to read and she learns about people living in other parts of the world.

She has a granddaughter who studies at the same school, and sometimes she helps her with her homework. Being able to do that makes her feel so happy that when she stays alone she has a little cry. When she was in her little village as a child, she would never have dreamt that one day she would be able to help her granddaughter with her homework. She owes gratitude to her teacher friend for the gift she was given.

The words ‘went through’ can be replaced with ________.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 17 to 24.

On November 12th, 2024, Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy, representing Vietnam, made history when she was crowned Miss International 2024. This marks Vietnam’s first victory in the Miss International pageant, highlighting the dedication and talent of its representatives on the global stage.

Born in 2002, Thanh Thuy is known both for her beauty and strong academic background. She is currently studying at both the University of Da Nang and Greenwich Vietnam University. Fluent in English and Korean, Thanh Thủy’s language skills added to her confident performance throughout the competition.

Thanh Thuy’s journey was not always easy: in her younger years, she faced bullying due to her appearance, which affected self-esteem and mental healh. However, she chose to rise above these difficulties by focusing on self-improvement and embracing her own unique qualities instead of trying to change her personality. This great determination and positive outlook played an essential role in her journey to success.

In the final round, Thanh Thuy was asked about the most significant global development impacting the education system of her generation. Despite the challenging question, Thuy gave a thoughtful response that impressed the judges. The young Vietnamese representative spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic, and emphasized the role of educational technology in providing students with diverse learning opportunities.

Thanh Thuy’s victory is not just a personal one. Future Vietnamese participants in beauty pageants and young women across Vietnam will surely be emboldened to follow their dreams with confidence thanks to her story.

The word “emboldened” in paragraph 5 is best replaced by __________.

Read the following passage about Marcel Bich and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

Marcel Bich, a French manufacturer of traditional ink pens, was the man turning the ballpoint pen into an item that today almost anyone can afford. Bich was shocked at the poor quality of the ballpoint pens that were available, and also at their high cost. However, he recognised that the ballpoint was a firmly established invention, and he decided to design a cheap pen that worked well and would be commercially successful.

          Bich went to the Biro brothers and asked them if he could use the design of their original invention in one of his own pens. In return, he offered to pay them every time he sold a pen. Then, for two years, Bich studied the detailed construction of every ballpoint pen that was being sold, often working with a microscope.

          By 1950, he was ready to introduce his new wonder: a plastic pen with a clear barrel that wrote smoothly, did not leak and only cost a few cents. He called it the 'Bic Cristal'. The ballpoint pen had finally become a practical writing instrument. The public liked it immediately, and today it is as common as the pencil. In Britain, they are still called Biros, and many Bic models also say 'Biro' on the side of the pen, to remind people of their original inventors.

          Bich became extremely wealthy thanks to his invention, which had worldwide appeal. Over the next 60 years his company, Société Bic, opened factories all over the world and expanded its range of inexpensive products. Today, Bic is as famous for its lighters and razors as it is for its pens, and you can even buy a Bic mobile phone.

According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as products of Bich's company?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 17 to 24.

On November 12th, 2024, Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy, representing Vietnam, made history when she was crowned Miss International 2024. This marks Vietnam’s first victory in the Miss International pageant, highlighting the dedication and talent of its representatives on the global stage.

Born in 2002, Thanh Thuy is known both for her beauty and strong academic background. She is currently studying at both the University of Da Nang and Greenwich Vietnam University. Fluent in English and Korean, Thanh Thủy’s language skills added to her confident performance throughout the competition.

Thanh Thuy’s journey was not always easy: in her younger years, she faced bullying due to her appearance, which affected self-esteem and mental healh. However, she chose to rise above these difficulties by focusing on self-improvement and embracing her own unique qualities instead of trying to change her personality. This great determination and positive outlook played an essential role in her journey to success.

In the final round, Thanh Thuy was asked about the most significant global development impacting the education system of her generation. Despite the challenging question, Thuy gave a thoughtful response that impressed the judges. The young Vietnamese representative spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic, and emphasized the role of educational technology in providing students with diverse learning opportunities.

Thanh Thuy’s victory is not just a personal one. Future Vietnamese participants in beauty pageants and young women across Vietnam will surely be emboldened to follow their dreams with confidence thanks to her story.

In which paragraph does the writer present a contrastive relationship?

Read the following passage about endangered languages and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

AVICII’S LIFE AFTER REHAB

Once he completed his month in rehab, Avicii seemed to have a new outlook on life. He was meditating regularly, reading about the collective unconscious, and got a puppy. After not performing for a long period of time, he returned to the stage in 2016 at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival. It was announced a few days after this gig that he would not be performing live anymore. Avicii chose to not perform so that he could focus on bettering his mental health.

Despite appearing to have new-found stability, Avicii still struggled to deal with his mental health issues. While continuing to suppress the anxiety and depression that he frequently felt, Avicii also started to become disinterested in his music career. During this time, he was smoking and drinking on occasion which may have resulted in a resurgence of his disassociation feelings.

He told Tereza Kacerova, his girlfriend at the time, “What if everyone around me is just a projection in my mind? Sometimes I just think these things. About how nothing really matters.”

Avicii started to focus heavily on meditation which he found to be helpful in clearing the “nonsense” from his mind. He believed that a deep form of meditation taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a way to exercise his brain which he had decided would lead to his happiness. Despite this form of meditation typically being done in 20 minutes increments, Avicii would sometimes spend full days meditating in an attempt to reach enlightenment faster.

The statement “he would sometimes spend full days meditating” indicates that Avicii