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 31 to 40.

A New Capital

When Pakistan was established as a new state in 1947, Karachi initially served as its capital. However, maintaining Karachi as the capital proved to be a challenge due to several disadvantages, such as its climate and the condition of the existing infrastructure. Rather than attempting to improve these issues, the government opted to create a completely new capital city. In 1959, a commission was formed to explore potential locations for this new capital. Dr. Doxiadis, a renowned architect and city planner, was appointed as the chief advisor to the commission.

Dr. Doxiadis and his team explored several possible sites for the new capital, considering both geographical and environmental factors. After a thorough evaluation, they narrowed the options down to two locations: one just outside Karachi and the other located north of Rawalpindi. Both sites had their own sets of advantages and drawbacks, making the decision a complex one.

The final choice was made after carefully considering a range of factors such as transportation, water availability, economic implications, and national interests. Ultimately, the area north of Rawalpindi was selected. On February 24, 1960, the new capital city was named Islamabad, and a comprehensive master plan for its development was created. The plan divided the area into three distinct sections: Islamabad itself, neighboring Rawalpindi, and a national park.

Each section was designed to serve a specific purpose. (I) Islamabad would function as the country’s political and cultural center, meeting the administrative needs of the nation. (II) Rawalpindi, located nearby, would continue as the regional hub for industry and commerce. (III) The national park area was intended to provide space for education, recreation, and agriculture, enhancing the quality of life for residents. (IV)

Today, Islamabad is a vibrant city with a population of around 1 million people. Known for its clean and healthy environment, it offers a pollution-free atmosphere, abundant water resources, and ample green spaces. Tree-lined streets, elegant public buildings, and well-planned shopping centers make the city a model of successful urban planning. With its efficient design and flourishing urban life, Islamabad stands as a prime example of well-executed city planning and growth.

Which of the following best summarizes the main point of 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.

Urban farming, or the practice of growing food within city limits, has gained popularity worldwide. As cities expand and populations grow, there is increasing pressure on food supplies, making urban farming an appealing solution. From rooftop gardens to community plots, urban farms can help produce fresh, local food in areas that are typically food deserts. Additionally, they provide green spaces in densely populated areas, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Urban farming also has social benefits. It encourages community engagement and provides educational opportunities for residents. People can learn about sustainable agriculture, food production, and environmental conservation. Furthermore, urban farms can offer job opportunities, particularly in underprivileged neighborhoods, where employment options are often limited. By creating jobs and encouraging healthy eating, urban farms positively impact the health and well-being of local communities.

However, urban farming is not without its challenges. One significant issue is space; cities are crowded, and land is scarce. Finding suitable plots for farming can be difficult and expensive. There are also regulatory hurdles, as some cities have strict zoning laws that limit agricultural activities. Additionally, urban soil can be contaminated with pollutants, making it unsuitable for food production. Despite these obstacles, innovative solutions, such as hydroponics and vertical farming, are making urban farming more feasible.

In the future, urban farming could play a vital role in food security. As climate change and urbanization continue, local food sources will become increasingly important. By reducing dependency on long supply chains, urban farming can ensure that cities remain resilient in the face of global challenges.

In which paragraph does the writer discuss the future role of urban farming?

Read the following passage about urbanization 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.

[I] Urbanization refers to the increasing population shift from rural to urban areas, resulting in the growth of cities and metropolitan regions (Hall, 2014). [II] This phenomenon is driven by various factors, including economic opportunities, improved living standards, and social amenities available in urban centers. [III] As a result, urbanization significantly impacts both individuals and communities, leading to a range of benefits and challenges (Davis, 2016). [IV]

One of the primary advantages of urbanization is the economic growth it fosters. Cities often provide a plethora of job opportunities, attracting individuals seeking better employment and higher incomes. In urban areas, businesses flourish due to increased demand for goods and services, leading to enhanced economic productivity. Moreover, urbanization encourages innovation and technological advancements, as a dense concentration of people often fosters creativity and collaboration (Florida, 2017).

However, urbanization also presents significant challenges. Rapid population growth in cities can lead to overcrowding, straining public services such as transportation, healthcare, and education. Many urban areas struggle to provide adequate housing, resulting in the proliferation of informal settlements and slums. According to the United Nations (2018), nearly one billion people live in slums, lacking access to basic services. They also face adverse living conditions. This situation exacerbates social inequality and can lead to increased crime rates and health issues.

To address the challenges of urbanization, sustainable urban planning is essential. Governments and urban planners must prioritize creating inclusive, well-connected cities that provide access to essential services for all residents. Strategies such as developing affordable housing, enhancing public transport systems, and promoting green spaces can help improve the quality of life in urban areas while mitigating the negative impacts of urbanization  

According to paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT a benefit of urbanization?

Read the following passage about urbanization 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.

[I] Urbanization refers to the increasing population shift from rural to urban areas, resulting in the growth of cities and metropolitan regions (Hall, 2014). [II] This phenomenon is driven by various factors, including economic opportunities, improved living standards, and social amenities available in urban centers. [III] As a result, urbanization significantly impacts both individuals and communities, leading to a range of benefits and challenges (Davis, 2016). [IV]

One of the primary advantages of urbanization is the economic growth it fosters. Cities often provide a plethora of job opportunities, attracting individuals seeking better employment and higher incomes. In urban areas, businesses flourish due to increased demand for goods and services, leading to enhanced economic productivity. Moreover, urbanization encourages innovation and technological advancements, as a dense concentration of people often fosters creativity and collaboration (Florida, 2017).

However, urbanization also presents significant challenges. Rapid population growth in cities can lead to overcrowding, straining public services such as transportation, healthcare, and education. Many urban areas struggle to provide adequate housing, resulting in the proliferation of informal settlements and slums. According to the United Nations (2018), nearly one billion people live in slums, lacking access to basic services. They also face adverse living conditions. This situation exacerbates social inequality and can lead to increased crime rates and health issues.

To address the challenges of urbanization, sustainable urban planning is essential. Governments and urban planners must prioritize creating inclusive, well-connected cities that provide access to essential services for all residents. Strategies such as developing affordable housing, enhancing public transport systems, and promoting green spaces can help improve the quality of life in urban areas while mitigating the negative impacts of urbanization  

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

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text in each of thefollowing questions from 13 to 17. 

a. The lack of proper waste management systems has also resulted in a growing concern about pollution in the river.

b. Once a quiet town, Glendale has witnessed rapid urban development over the past ten years.

c. This development has brought modern amenities such as shopping malls and schools, but it has also led to some challenges.

d. These environmental issues have sparked debates about balancing growth with sustainability.

e. A population surge of 30% has strained local infrastructure, leading to traffic jams and a shortage of housing.

Read the following passage about the urban shift 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.

[I] Global urbanisation has increased significantly in recent decades, and one of the main drivers of this growth has been rural migration. [II] Half of the world's population already resides in cities, and by 2050, experts predict that number to reach as high as two-thirds. [III] Many factors contribute to this global phenomenon, which then gives rise to various issues. [IV]

There are many push factors which force people away from rural life. For example, rural residents have fewer employment options because there are not many large companies nearby. What's more, rural jobs are mainly related to agriculture, so crop failures due to natural disasters can make it difficult to earn a good living. By contrast, there are pull factors that attract people to urban life. Urban areas have more industries, so people can easily get good jobs and achieve a higher standard of living. They also offer entertainment alternatives, such as theme parks, sporting and musical events, allowing urban citizens to access leisure activities easily.

In the process of urbanisation, rural migration causes various far-reaching impacts on the environment and urban citizens. First, deforestation occurs when city governments have forests cut down to build accommodation for new residents, which harms the environment and reduces air quality. As growing populations bring about more deforestation and pollution, the air quality worsens, which can lead to health issues for residents. Second, due to population expansion, cities are struggling to offer adequate public facilities for urban people. As a result, some low- income people are unable to obtain the necessary affordable housing and end up living in slums, where the quality of life is very poor.

Rural migration is a complicated process, of which the causes and the effects should be fully comprehended. By carefully planning city development and suitable social policies, we can provide urban citizens with good public services, exciting job opportunities and a high quality of life without harming the environment.

(Adapted from Bright)

Question 36: The word far-reaching in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ______.

Read the following passage about urbanization 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.

It's a widely held belief that cities harm the environment. For this reason, many developing countries have imposed restrictions on the movement of people from rural to urban areas and on the size of large cities. But there are problems with this viewpoint. Urbanization that is properly controlled can benefit the environment in a number of ways.

First, urbanization is a highly productive force due to the combination of economies of scale and positive externalities. Over 5.5 times as much is produced in Asia's cities as in its rural areas. Urban agglomeration makes it possible to use fewer resources to produce the same amount of work as non-urban areas. Urbanization therefore reduces the environmental impact. Urbanization is necessary because the service sector depends on a concentration of clients. The growth of service industries, which typically generate less waste than manufacturing, is another environmentally beneficial aspect of urbanization.

Second, for any given population, high urban density has no effect on the environment. According to urban economics studies, density is one of the most significant factors influencing energy consumption. In places with a high population density, public transportation may be more convenient and quicker. City dwellers are more likely to walk or ride a bike instead of drive. Third, the construction, upkeep, and operation of environmentally friendly public services and infrastructure, such as waste management, sanitation, and piped water, are considerably simpler and less expensive in urban areas. More people can now afford to use eco-friendly facilities and services thanks to urbanization.

Fourth, urbanization is driving the development of new technologies, including eco-friendly ones. Eco-friendly vehicles, utilities, and equipment are essential to the green economy's long-term survival. Asia's enormous market will support green innovations in cities because the region's enormous population will provide entrepreneurs with many incentives and opportunities to invest in the development of energy-efficient products. Last but not least, the improved standard of living brought about by urbanization has improved access to housing, food, healthcare, and education. Cities with more residents can invest more in infrastructure, which reduces traffic and improves public health. Urbanization fosters pro-environmental attitudes, especially among middle-class property owners, which greatly aid in the introduction and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.

Any expanding city will inevitably incur expenses. People are moving in large numbers to Asian cities, and many companies have opened offices there to capitalize on this trend. Examples of industrial operations that contribute to urban sprawl and harm the environment include the generation of electricity, transportation, construction, trash, and waste disposal. Both the advantages and disadvantages of urbanization should be taken into account when assessing its effects on the environment.

The word “essential” in paragraph 4 is opposite in meaning to________.

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.

Urbanization is the movement of people from the country to cities and the growth of urban areas. It happens because there are often more opportunities in cities. However, when a city's population grows too quickly, it causes problems. Here are a few persistent problems caused by urbanization and some ideas to solve them.

Poverty: Urban areas have a higher cost of living, which means many people have to live in slums. These areas have high crime rates and only basic sanitation, and the people living there often have no access to healthcare. A solution for these issues would be to increase the number of social workers and police and have them provide service to these areas. A better, but more expensive one, would be to remove all the old buildings and houses, and have the city government build better quality, low-cost housing.

Pollution: Large populations create lots of waste. This can be too much for sanitation services to handle, so some areas can get very dirty. One option is to have volunteers clean up these places and have more trash cans installed. Another might be to have police give large fines to people who throw litter on the ground.

Traffic: People in cities often use private cars to get to work and school. This leads to heavy road congestion and causes lots of air pollution. To solve this problem, many cities don't let people drive private vehicles in the city center. This can reduce the amount of traffic by making people use public transportation.

In conclusion, urbanization can cause a lot of problems for people living in cities. Poor living standards. unclean environments, and congested traffic are just some of the issues. Solving the problems of urbanization is one of the biggest challenges for modern society.

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as one of the problems caused by urbanization?

Read the following leaflet 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 7 to 12. 

WELCOME TO GREEN HOME RESIDENCE

Discover Green Home Residence – a modern apartment complex designed to elevate your lifestyle. With (7)______of amenities, including a gym, swimming pool, and lush gardens, this is more than just a place to live – it’s a community where comfort meets convenience.

At Green Home, we believe in fostering connections. Residents can easily interact and support one (8)______ in a friendly, vibrant environment.

Understanding the common (9)______faced by urban homeowners, we’ve carefully planned solutions to minimize noise, improve ventilation, and provide ample parking spaces.

Our skilled (10)______are always ready to assist you in choosing the perfect unit and answering any questions you may have about the property.

We’ve (11)______with innovative architectural designs that maximize natural light and energy efficiency, ensuring sustainability and comfort in every apartment.

(12)______, Green Home Residence is conveniently located near schools, shopping centers, and major highways, making it the ideal choice for families and professionals alike.

Don’t wait – visit us today and experience the future of urban living at Green Home Residence!

Mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best arrangement of utterances or sentences to make a meaningful exchange or text in each of the following questions.

a. Sam: I heard that in the future, people will build cities on the ocean. Do you think that will be possible?

b. Pete: Hmm, it sounds exciting, but I think it would be really challenging. The technology and materials would have to be very advanced.

c. Sam: Good point, but with the right designs, they could make them safe. Plus, it could help solve the problem of overpopulation on land.

d. Sam: That’s true, but I believe scientists are already working on projects like floating homes and platforms.

e. Pete: Maybe, but what about natural disasters like storms or rising sea levels? Wouldn’t those make ocean cities too dangerous?

Read the following passage about the urban shift 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.

[I] Global urbanisation has increased significantly in recent decades, and one of the main drivers of this growth has been rural migration. [II] Half of the world's population already resides in cities, and by 2050, experts predict that number to reach as high as two-thirds. [III] Many factors contribute to this global phenomenon, which then gives rise to various issues. [IV]

There are many push factors which force people away from rural life. For example, rural residents have fewer employment options because there are not many large companies nearby. What's more, rural jobs are mainly related to agriculture, so crop failures due to natural disasters can make it difficult to earn a good living. By contrast, there are pull factors that attract people to urban life. Urban areas have more industries, so people can easily get good jobs and achieve a higher standard of living. They also offer entertainment alternatives, such as theme parks, sporting and musical events, allowing urban citizens to access leisure activities easily.

In the process of urbanisation, rural migration causes various far-reaching impacts on the environment and urban citizens. First, deforestation occurs when city governments have forests cut down to build accommodation for new residents, which harms the environment and reduces air quality. As growing populations bring about more deforestation and pollution, the air quality worsens, which can lead to health issues for residents. Second, due to population expansion, cities are struggling to offer adequate public facilities for urban people. As a result, some low- income people are unable to obtain the necessary affordable housing and end up living in slums, where the quality of life is very poor.

Rural migration is a complicated process, of which the causes and the effects should be fully comprehended. By carefully planning city development and suitable social policies, we can provide urban citizens with good public services, exciting job opportunities and a high quality of life without harming the environment.

(Adapted from Bright)

Question 31: Where in paragraph 1 does the following sentence best fit?

More and more people are moving to the city from the countryside each year.

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.

Urbanization is the movement of people from the country to cities and the growth of urban areas. It happens because there are often more opportunities in cities. However, when a city's population grows too quickly, it causes problems. Here are a few persistent problems caused by urbanization and some ideas to solve them.

Poverty: Urban areas have a higher cost of living, which means many people have to live in slums. These areas have high crime rates and only basic sanitation, and the people living there often have no access to healthcare. A solution for these issues would be to increase the number of social workers and police and have them provide service to these areas. A better, but more expensive one, would be to remove all the old buildings and houses, and have the city government build better quality, low-cost housing.

Pollution: Large populations create lots of waste. This can be too much for sanitation services to handle, so some areas can get very dirty. One option is to have volunteers clean up these places and have more trash cans installed. Another might be to have police give large fines to people who throw litter on the ground.

Traffic: People in cities often use private cars to get to work and school. This leads to heavy road congestion and causes lots of air pollution. To solve this problem, many cities don't let people drive private vehicles in the city center. This can reduce the amount of traffic by making people use public transportation.

In conclusion, urbanization can cause a lot of problems for people living in cities. Poor living standards. unclean environments, and congested traffic are just some of the issues. Solving the problems of urbanization is one of the biggest challenges for modern society.

Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence:

"Solving the problems of urbanization is one of the biggest challenges for modern society."

Read the following leaflet/notice and choose the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 7 to 12.

Balancing Work and Study: A Path to Success

Are you thinking about continuing your studies while working? It's not easy, but it's worth it!

Why Study While Working?

- (7) __________ Your Career: By applying what you learn to your job, you can improve your skills and advance professionally.

- Earn While You Learn: Continuing your education while working allows you (8) __________ your job and income while (9) __________ valuable qualifications.

Tips for Success:

- Stay Organized: Create a study (10) __________ that fits around your work.

- Set Small Goals: Break your tasks into (11) __________ manageable parts to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

- Take Breaks: Give yourself time to relax and recharge to stay motivated.

Remember: Balancing work and study can be challenging, but with good time management and determination, you can (12) __________ the demands of both. It's a great way to invest in your future while continuing to meet your current responsibilities!

Read the following passage about the urban shift 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.

[I] Global urbanisation has increased significantly in recent decades, and one of the main drivers of this growth has been rural migration. [II] Half of the world's population already resides in cities, and by 2050, experts predict that number to reach as high as two-thirds. [III] Many factors contribute to this global phenomenon, which then gives rise to various issues. [IV]

There are many push factors which force people away from rural life. For example, rural residents have fewer employment options because there are not many large companies nearby. What's more, rural jobs are mainly related to agriculture, so crop failures due to natural disasters can make it difficult to earn a good living. By contrast, there are pull factors that attract people to urban life. Urban areas have more industries, so people can easily get good jobs and achieve a higher standard of living. They also offer entertainment alternatives, such as theme parks, sporting and musical events, allowing urban citizens to access leisure activities easily.

In the process of urbanisation, rural migration causes various far-reaching impacts on the environment and urban citizens. First, deforestation occurs when city governments have forests cut down to build accommodation for new residents, which harms the environment and reduces air quality. As growing populations bring about more deforestation and pollution, the air quality worsens, which can lead to health issues for residents. Second, due to population expansion, cities are struggling to offer adequate public facilities for urban people. As a result, some low- income people are unable to obtain the necessary affordable housing and end up living in slums, where the quality of life is very poor.

Rural migration is a complicated process, of which the causes and the effects should be fully comprehended. By carefully planning city development and suitable social policies, we can provide urban citizens with good public services, exciting job opportunities and a high quality of life without harming the environment.

(Adapted from Bright)

Question 40: Which of the following best summarises the passage?