Read the following passage about plastic bags 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.

Plastic bags are used by everybody. From a vegetable vendor to a designer store, everyone seems to use them. Even though they are one of the modern conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, they are responsible for causing pollution, killing wildlife, and using up the precious resources of the Earth.  But, most of us are blissfully unaware of the outcomes that are occurring and will take place in the future.

Every once in a while, the government passes out an order banning store owners from providing plastic bags to customers for carrying their purchases. About a hundred billion plastic bags are used every year in the U.S. alone. The problem is further worsened by the developed countries shipping off their plastic waste to developing countries like India.

Once they are used, most bags go into landfills. Each year, more and more bags are ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. About 100,000 animals, such as dolphins, turtles, whales, penguins are killed every year due to these bags. And worse, the ingested plastic bag remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animal. One of the worst environmental effects is that they are non-biodegradable. No one will live so long to witness the decomposition of plastic!

A tote bag can make a good substitute for carrying groceries and the shopping. You can keep the bag with the cashier, and then put your purchases into it instead of the usual plastic bag. Recycling the bags you already have is another good idea. Plastics are not only non-biodegradable, but are one of the major pollutants of the sea. For a clean and green environment, try to use alternatives to plastic whenever and wherever possible.

 

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

Read the following passage about Heat Transfer in the Atmosphere 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.

Because the low latitudes of the Earth, the areas near the equator, receive more heat than the latitudes near the poles, and because the nature of heat is to expand and move, heat is transported from the tropics to the middle and high latitudes. Some of this heat is moved by winds and some by ocean currents, and some gets stored in the atmosphere in the form of latent heat.

(I) The term “latent heat” refers to the energy that has to be used to convert liquid water to water vapor. (II) We know that if we warm a pan of water on a stove, it will evaporate, or turn into vapor, faster than if it is allowed to sit at room temperature. (III) We also know that if we hang wet clothes outside in the summertime, they will dry faster than in winter, when the temperature is lower. The energy used in both cases to change liquid water to water vapor is supplied by heat - supplied by the stove in the first case and by the Sun in the latter case. This energy is not lost. (IV)  It is stored as vapor in the atmosphere as latent heat. Eventually, the water stored as vapor in the atmosphere will condense to liquid again, and the energy will be released to the atmosphere.

In the atmosphere, a large portion of the Sun’s incoming energy is used to evaporate water, primarily in the tropical oceans. Scientists have tried to pin down this proportion of the Sun’s energy. By analyzing temperature, water vapor, and wind data around the globe, they have estimated the quantity to be about 90 watts per square meter, or nearly 30 percent of the Sun’s energy. Once this latent heat is stored within the atmosphere, it can be transported, primarily to higher latitudes, by prevailing, large - scale winds. Or it can be transported vertically to higher levels in the atmosphere, where it forms clouds and subsequent storms, which then release the energy back to the atmosphere.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

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.

The word “displacing” in the passage mostly means _______.

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. 

A few years ago, amid a record drought, scientists noticed something odd. A few of California’s giant sequoias inside Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks were dying in ways no one had ever documented – from the top down. When researchers climbed into the canopies, they discovered that beetles had bored into a few branches. By 2019, at least 38 of the trees had died – not a large number, but "concerning because we’ve never observed this before,” says Christy Brigham, the park’s chief of resource management.

Scientists had assumed that stately sequoias, with their bug-repelling tannins, were immune to dangerous pests. Worried experts are investigating whether some mix of increased drought and wildfire, both worsened by climate change, have now made even sequoias susceptible to deadly insect invasions.

If so, these ancient sentinels would be just the latest example of a trend experts are documenting around the world: Trees in forests are dying at increasingly high rates—especially the bigger, older trees. According to a study in the journal Science, the death rate is making forests younger, threatening biodiversity, eliminating important plant and animal habitat, and reducing forests’ ability to store excess carbon dioxide generated by our consumption of fossil fuels. [A]

There is no single direct cause. Decades of logging and land clearing play a role, scientists say. But increasing temperatures and rising carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels have significantly magnified most other causes of tree death. Scientists are documenting longer and harsher droughts, more severe outbreaks of insects and disease, and increasingly catastrophic wildfires.

With 60,000 known tree species on Earth, those shifts are playing out differently across the planet. In central Europe, for instance, “You don’t have to look for dead trees,” says Henrik Hartmann, with Germany's Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry. “They’re everywhere.” In one recent year, following a week of excessive heat, hundreds of thousands of beech trees dropped their leaves. Even in colder regions, “You get a couple of hot years and the forests are suffering,” says Hartmann. “There are individual species that are being driven beyond the threshold of what they can handle.” [B]

Just last year, massive fires marched through a dry Australia, smoldered across 7.4 million acres in northern Siberia, and focused the world’s attention on blazes in the Amazon.

The consequences of all these changes around the world are still being assessed. The first national look at tree mortality in Israel showed vast stretches disappearing, thanks largely to scorching heat and wildfires. [C] In a country largely blanketed by stone and sand, forests mean a great deal. Trees support nests for eagles and habitat for wolves and jackals. They hold soil with their roots. [D]

“We’re dealing with a very tough situation. It’s a race to the unknown,” says Tamir Klein at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

According to paragraph 4, which of the following is NOT a direct cause of tree death?

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct arrangement of the sentences to make a meaningful paragraph/letter in each of the following questions.

a.  Finally, would you mind telling me if there are native German-speaking teachers at your language centre?

b.   First, could you please let me know whether there are German courses at your language centre?

c.  Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to ask for some information about the language courses at your language centre.

d.   I look forward to hearing from you.

e.   Yours faithfully,

f.   Next, I would also like to know how long the course for beginners lasts and how often classes take place.

Read the following passage about plastic bags 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.

Plastic bags are used by everybody. From a vegetable vendor to a designer store, everyone seems to use them. Even though they are one of the modern conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, they are responsible for causing pollution, killing wildlife, and using up the precious resources of the Earth.  But, most of us are blissfully unaware of the outcomes that are occurring and will take place in the future.

Every once in a while, the government passes out an order banning store owners from providing plastic bags to customers for carrying their purchases. About a hundred billion plastic bags are used every year in the U.S. alone. The problem is further worsened by the developed countries shipping off their plastic waste to developing countries like India.

Once they are used, most bags go into landfills. Each year, more and more bags are ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. About 100,000 animals, such as dolphins, turtles, whales, penguins are killed every year due to these bags. And worse, the ingested plastic bag remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animal. One of the worst environmental effects is that they are non-biodegradable. No one will live so long to witness the decomposition of plastic!

A tote bag can make a good substitute for carrying groceries and the shopping. You can keep the bag with the cashier, and then put your purchases into it instead of the usual plastic bag. Recycling the bags you already have is another good idea. Plastics are not only non-biodegradable, but are one of the major pollutants of the sea. For a clean and green environment, try to use alternatives to plastic whenever and wherever possible.

The following are the negative effects of plastic bags on the environment, EXCEPT ____.

Read the following passage and choose the best answer to each of the following questions from 23 to 30.

APPLICATIONS OF AI IN URBAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

1. AI is transforming cities, making them smarter, more sustainable, and efficient. By integrating AI into urban planning, cities can operate more smoothly, enhancing the lives of those who live and work there. Key areas where AI can have a significant impact include digital twin technology, smart infrastructure, and optimizing transportation systems.

2. Digital twins are virtual versions of real cities created using data from sensors and devices. These digital models help city planners understand how a city works in real-time. Planners can test different ideas and plans in a virtual space before making changes in the real world. AI helps predict the outcomes of these tests, so the best solutions can be chosen. This saves time, resources, and reduces the risk of making mistakes. It also helps reduce the impact of changes like adjusting traffic flow or modifying energy use.

3. AI is also crucial for reducing the carbon footprint in urban environments, which is key to building sustainable cities. AI-driven platforms can optimize energy use, manage energy grids efficiently, and improve waste management systems. For instance, AI can predict when maintenance is needed, allowing problems to be fixed before they disrupt services. Smart grids can integrate renewable energy sources and optimize the way energy is distributed, minimizing waste and pollution. These solutions are leading the way to a low-carbon future, helping cities meet their net-zero emissions goals.

4. AI is also improving transportation in cities. By analyzing traffic data, public transport schedules, and pedestrian movement, AI helps optimize traffic flow and make public transport more reliable. Traffic lights become smarter, buses run on time, and pedestrian safety is improved. These improvements reduce traffic congestion and make cities more livable for everyone.

In which paragraph does the author mention cities' ambitious environmental goals?

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 34 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 percent 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 percent of children have completed primary education, which finishes at age eight, and continued into secondary education with UWS schools, in comparison to 39 percent 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.”

Karki’s mother was a firm believer in education, and at age eight Karki secured a scholarship to study in the capital, Kathmandu. From there he won scholarships and completed Master’s degrees in China and the United States. He returned to Nepal in 2015 and decided to stay and develop the education system. Karki said: “Inequalities in a country can only be decreased if there is access to knowledge.”

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 and 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 percent average attendance rate, which Karki says is almost double the attendance rate 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 of 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.

How dangerous is using solid fuels at home? When coal, wood, and other solid fuels are used for cooking or heating, they release a significant (7)______ of black carbon and other harmful pollutants. These tiny particles, along with (8)______ from incomplete combustion, can enter our bodies and, in the long term, cause serious health problems such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. (9)______ the dangers caused by these solid fuels, household air pollution is responsible for millions of deaths each year. Using soot-free fuels is essential. Renewable energy is the future! There are several reasons why it is the best (10)______ to fossil fuels. Firstly, the sources of fossil fuel will be depleted within this century, while renewable energy comes from natural resources that will never (11)______. Secondly, renewable energy is reliable, efficient, and can adapt to various needs. Finally, renewable energy is clean, producing no harmful (12)_______ or contributing to climate change. Let’s power the planet with renewable energy and create a healthier, more sustainable world for ourselves and others! 

Read the following passage about environmental pollution 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.

Since the early 1980s, people have become more aware of the serious effects of large-scale pollution on the environment. This kind of pollution often happens because of poor planning in developing countries or the short-sighted policies of some industrialized nations. These countries use up a large portion of the world’s natural resources, even though only a small part of the world’s population lives there.

Events like the Great Smog of London, the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and the nuclear accident at Chernobyl have received a lot of media attention, as have other acts that harm the environment. However, it’s important to remember that not all pollution is on such a large scale. In fact, a lot of pollution comes from sources closer to home. For instance, a recent oil spill from a tanker in Sydney accidentally released oil into the harbor. This not only damaged the surrounding area but also created toxic fumes that hung over the nearby suburbs for days, leaving residents frustrated and questioning how such a disaster could happen.

Protecting ourselves from pollution can feel like a never-ending task. We try to avoid breathing in traffic fumes, stay away from industrial areas, and wear masks when cycling. All of this might make some people feel safest at home. However, new research shows that staying indoors is not always better. Studies indicate that levels of harmful gases, dust, and other chemicals are often higher indoors than outdoors, even in polluted cities. Since most people spend more time inside than outside, some experts think we may need to pay more attention to indoor pollution to improve public health.

In conclusion, awareness of environmental pollution has grown since the 1980s due to major incidents and local sources of harm. While large-scale events like Chernobyl capture attention, everyday issues, including indoor pollution, also pose serious health risks. Addressing both is vital for public health and environmental protection.

In which paragraph does the writer mention the major causes of large-scale pollution?

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct arrangement of the  sentences to make a meaningful paragraph/letter in each of the following questions.  

e. Finally, if I do decide to join, how can I go to submit my application? Are there any specific forms or documents that I need to provide?

d. Secondly, I wonder if there are any upcoming events or meetings that I could attend as a member.

f. It would be great to have an opportunity to meet current members and get a better understanding of the club's atmosphere.

b. I look forward to hearing from you and learning more about the club. Thank you for your time and assistance.

c. Dear Sir/Madam, I hope you're well. I'm reaching out because I'm excited about joining your club and wanted to learn more.

a. Firstly, could you tell me what I need to do to become a member? Is there a fee? Do I need any special qualifications?

Best regards,

Helen Bridgeman

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. 

A few years ago, amid a record drought, scientists noticed something odd. A few of California’s giant sequoias inside Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks were dying in ways no one had ever documented – from the top down. When researchers climbed into the canopies, they discovered that beetles had bored into a few branches. By 2019, at least 38 of the trees had died – not a large number, but "concerning because we’ve never observed this before,” says Christy Brigham, the park’s chief of resource management.

Scientists had assumed that stately sequoias, with their bug-repelling tannins, were immune to dangerous pests. Worried experts are investigating whether some mix of increased drought and wildfire, both worsened by climate change, have now made even sequoias susceptible to deadly insect invasions.

If so, these ancient sentinels would be just the latest example of a trend experts are documenting around the world: Trees in forests are dying at increasingly high rates—especially the bigger, older trees. According to a study in the journal Science, the death rate is making forests younger, threatening biodiversity, eliminating important plant and animal habitat, and reducing forests’ ability to store excess carbon dioxide generated by our consumption of fossil fuels. [A]

There is no single direct cause. Decades of logging and land clearing play a role, scientists say. But increasing temperatures and rising carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels have significantly magnified most other causes of tree death. Scientists are documenting longer and harsher droughts, more severe outbreaks of insects and disease, and increasingly catastrophic wildfires.

With 60,000 known tree species on Earth, those shifts are playing out differently across the planet. In central Europe, for instance, “You don’t have to look for dead trees,” says Henrik Hartmann, with Germany's Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry. “They’re everywhere.” In one recent year, following a week of excessive heat, hundreds of thousands of beech trees dropped their leaves. Even in colder regions, “You get a couple of hot years and the forests are suffering,” says Hartmann. “There are individual species that are being driven beyond the threshold of what they can handle.” [B]

Just last year, massive fires marched through a dry Australia, smoldered across 7.4 million acres in northern Siberia, and focused the world’s attention on blazes in the Amazon.

The consequences of all these changes around the world are still being assessed. The first national look at tree mortality in Israel showed vast stretches disappearing, thanks largely to scorching heat and wildfires. [C] In a country largely blanketed by stone and sand, forests mean a great deal. Trees support nests for eagles and habitat for wolves and jackals. They hold soil with their roots. [D]

“We’re dealing with a very tough situation. It’s a race to the unknown,” says Tamir Klein at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

What does Henrik Hartmann mean in paragraph 5 when he says, ‘There are individual species that are being driven beyond the threshold of what they can handle’?

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

WANT TO BE A TUTOR?

Do you enjoy teaching? We're looking for tutors to join our team! If you like helping others learn, we want to hear from you!

·       Your job will involve assisting students (10) _________ their studies.

·       No formal experience needed.

·       Training will be provided, so don't worry if you haven't tutored before.

·       (11)____________ working hours available.

We welcome anyone with a passion for teaching!

Please contact us for more details on how (12)________________.

Email: abcxyz@web.mail

Address: 100 Olden Street, Ballack Clava

Read the following passage about Heat Transfer in the Atmosphere 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.

Because the low latitudes of the Earth, the areas near the equator, receive more heat than the latitudes near the poles, and because the nature of heat is to expand and move, heat is transported from the tropics to the middle and high latitudes. Some of this heat is moved by winds and some by ocean currents, and some gets stored in the atmosphere in the form of latent heat.

(I) The term “latent heat” refers to the energy that has to be used to convert liquid water to water vapor. (II) We know that if we warm a pan of water on a stove, it will evaporate, or turn into vapor, faster than if it is allowed to sit at room temperature. (III) We also know that if we hang wet clothes outside in the summertime, they will dry faster than in winter, when the temperature is lower. The energy used in both cases to change liquid water to water vapor is supplied by heat - supplied by the stove in the first case and by the Sun in the latter case. This energy is not lost. (IV)  It is stored as vapor in the atmosphere as latent heat. Eventually, the water stored as vapor in the atmosphere will condense to liquid again, and the energy will be released to the atmosphere.

In the atmosphere, a large portion of the Sun’s incoming energy is used to evaporate water, primarily in the tropical oceans. Scientists have tried to pin down this proportion of the Sun’s energy. By analyzing temperature, water vapor, and wind data around the globe, they have estimated the quantity to be about 90 watts per square meter, or nearly 30 percent of the Sun’s energy. Once this latent heat is stored within the atmosphere, it can be transported, primarily to higher latitudes, by prevailing, large - scale winds. Or it can be transported vertically to higher levels in the atmosphere, where it forms clouds and subsequent storms, which then release the energy back to the atmosphere.

Which of the following best summarizes paragraph 1?

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.

Here are some ways to help reduce global warming. Which of these do you regularly do?

Don't use private cars. Your willingness to walk or cycle to nearby places can help reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide and also reduce your own carbon footprint. Use public transport. If travelling long distances, then use public transport rather than your car. However, if you carpool (travel together with a group of people in one car), then you are choosing to help ___(7)___ environment. If we travel with ___(8)___, we will use less petrol.

Make a decision to reduce, recycle, and reuse. Reduce waste by buying reusable products. Don't forget to recycle plastics, glass, and paper products. You may wish to reuse some of your old items to ___(9)___, too. Take unneeded ___(10)___ to a recycling centre.

Buy local goods. When you buy goods ___(11)___ from far-away places, it takes a lot of energy to ___(12)___ them to your area. This means that if you don't buy local food and products, then more emissions of carbon dioxide will happen during the transportation process.

(Adapted from English Discovery)

Read the following passage about climate change 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.

           Climate change refers to the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. This phenomenon is largely driven by human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, which increase the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. They trap heat from the sun, leading to global warming and causing severe weather events, such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts, to become more frequent and intense. Climate change impacts nearly every region of the world and affects the natural environment, economies, and human health.

           As temperatures rise, polar ice caps and glaciers are melting at alarming rates, contributing to rising sea levels. Coastal regions face an increased risk of flooding, and many low-lying islands are at risk of disappearing entirely. Additionally, higher temperatures lead to the warming of oceans, affecting marine ecosystems and causing coral bleaching, which threatens biodiversity and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on fishing.

            [I] The consequences of climate change are not just environmental; they also affect human society in significant ways. [II] Changes in weather patterns disrupt agriculture, leading to crop failures and food shortages in vulnerable regions. [III] Furthermore, climate change is linked to health issues such as respiratory diseases, heat strokes, and the spread of diseases carried by insects, like malaria and dengue fever. [IV]

           To combat climate change, a coordinated global effort is necessary. Governments, organizations, and individuals all have roles to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable practices. Shifting to renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, is essential. Additionally, conserving forests and investing in technology that captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere can help mitigate the effects of climate change and pave the way for a healthier planet.

The word "consequences" in paragraph 3 is OPPOSITE in meaning to ________.

Read the following passage about typhoon Yagi 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. 

After hitting the Philippines, where it killed more than a dozen people, ___(18)___ and shortly after parts of Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. Nearly a week since it made landfall, many farms and villages in northern parts of Vietnam and neighboring Thailand remain under water as ___(19)___ with severe flooding and the looming threat of landslides.

In Vietnam, the death toll has risen to at least 226 as a result of the storm and the landslides and flash floods it triggered, the government’s disaster agency said Thursday, according to Reuters. ___(20)___.

At least 33 people have died across Thailand since mid-August ___(21)___, with at least nine deaths this week after Yagi, Reuters reported citing the local government.

Storms are being made more intense and deadlier by the warming ocean, scientists have long warned. While developed nations bear a greater historical responsibility for the human-induced climate crisis, ___(22)___.

(Adapted from CNN)

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 from 13 to 17.

a. Mia: I love how we turn off the lights for an hour to save energy.

b. Jake: Exactly! It’s a simple way to remind everyone about climate change.

c. Mia: Let’s invite some friends to join us and make it more fun!

d. Jake: Yes, I am! It's a great way to help the planet.

e. Mia: Are you going to participate in Earth Hour this year?

Read the following passage about Heat Transfer in the Atmosphere 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.

Because the low latitudes of the Earth, the areas near the equator, receive more heat than the latitudes near the poles, and because the nature of heat is to expand and move, heat is transported from the tropics to the middle and high latitudes. Some of this heat is moved by winds and some by ocean currents, and some gets stored in the atmosphere in the form of latent heat.

(I) The term “latent heat” refers to the energy that has to be used to convert liquid water to water vapor. (II) We know that if we warm a pan of water on a stove, it will evaporate, or turn into vapor, faster than if it is allowed to sit at room temperature. (III) We also know that if we hang wet clothes outside in the summertime, they will dry faster than in winter, when the temperature is lower. The energy used in both cases to change liquid water to water vapor is supplied by heat - supplied by the stove in the first case and by the Sun in the latter case. This energy is not lost. (IV)  It is stored as vapor in the atmosphere as latent heat. Eventually, the water stored as vapor in the atmosphere will condense to liquid again, and the energy will be released to the atmosphere.

In the atmosphere, a large portion of the Sun’s incoming energy is used to evaporate water, primarily in the tropical oceans. Scientists have tried to pin down this proportion of the Sun’s energy. By analyzing temperature, water vapor, and wind data around the globe, they have estimated the quantity to be about 90 watts per square meter, or nearly 30 percent of the Sun’s energy. Once this latent heat is stored within the atmosphere, it can be transported, primarily to higher latitudes, by prevailing, large - scale winds. Or it can be transported vertically to higher levels in the atmosphere, where it forms clouds and subsequent storms, which then release the energy back to the atmosphere.

The phrase " pin down " in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by:

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] Landslides are a significant environmental challenge in the northern mountainous provinces of Vietnam, partiCularly during the rainy season. The region, characterized by steep slopes and heavy rainfall, is prone to this natural disaster, which poses serious threats to both the local population and infrastructure. [II] ln recent years, numerous landslides have occurred, often triggered by prolonged periods of heavy rain, resulting in devastating impacts on communities and livelihoods.

The mountainous terrain, combined with deforestation and improper land use, exacerbates the risk of landslides. [III] As farmers clear forests for agriculture, the natural vegetation that stabilizes the soil is lost, making slopes more susceptible to erosion. When heavy rains saturate the soil, it can quickly become unstable, leading to sudden and destructive landslides. [IV]

In response to this growing threat, local authorities and environmental organizations are taking proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with landslides. Efforts include reforestation projects, improving drainage systems, and raising public awareness about safe practices du ring the rainy season. Additionally, advanced monitoring systems are being implemented to provide early warnings, allowing communities to evacuate before a disaster strikes.

Despite these efforts, the challenges remain significant, and ongoing education and support for sustainable land management practices are crucial for reducing the incidence and impact of landslides in northern Vietnam.

The word prone in paragraph 1 could be best replaced by _____.

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. 

Our natural resources will be ___(7)___ unless we save the energy ___(8)___.

Follow these tips to avoid wasting energy:

● Use a timer on your air-conditioning system. Just set air conditioning to come only ___(9)___.

● Close your curtains to stop heat escaping ___(10)___ the windows.

● Don’t leave the apps on your phones or laptops ___(11)___ unnecessarily.

● If you have a hot water tank, set the cylinder thermostat to 60ºC (140ºF).

● Don’t use your ___(12)___ every day. Hang out washing outside during nice weather.