Read thefollowing passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that bestfits each of the numbered blanksfrom 18 to 22.

Peer pressure, (18) ________, can have both positive and negative effects. For instance, when surrounded by motivated peers, (19) ________. Positive peer pressure can be a great motivator, as peers who excel in academics or extracurricular activities can inspire others to follow suit. However, peer pressure can also lead to negative outcomes. The influence of friends who engage in risky behaviors, such as skipping school or using substances, can encourage others to make poor decisions. Studies have shown that teenagers are more likely to take risks in the presence of their peers because they feel more confident when surrounded by others.

While peer pressure is often associated with negative behavior,  (20) ________. For example, students may be encouraged to excel in their studies or participate in volunteer activities due to the positive influence of their peers. However, it is important to develop strong decision-making skills and self-confidence (21) ________.

Parents and educators play a key role in helping young people navigate peer pressure. By teaching young people how to recognize both positive and negative peer pressure, and how to make independent, thoughtful decisions, parents and educators can help ensure that students thrive in a healthy, supportive environment. Encouraging open communication, providing advice on how to stay true to one's values, and helping students develop self-confidence are all crucial aspects of this process.

In conclusion, peer pressure is a powerful influence. (22) ________, teenagers can succeed and grow in a positive social environment.

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

The dollar is one of the most recognizable currencies in the world, renowned for its widespread use and influence. However, its origins trace back to Europe, where the term "dollar" evolved from the word "thaler," a silver coin first minted in the 16th century in the Bohemian region of Joachim’s. These coins became a reliable standard of trade across Europe due to their consistent silver content and quality. When European settlers journeyed to the Americas, they brought the concept of the "dollar" with them, setting the stage for its adoption in the New World.

In 1792, the United States Congress passed the Coinage Act, marking a pivotal moment in American monetary history. This act established the dollar as the country's official currency and defined its value in terms of silver and gold, aiming to create a stable and trustworthy monetary system. For much of its early history, the dollar was backed by precious metals, ensuring confidence in its value. However, in the 20th century, the dollar transitioned to a fiat currency system, meaning its value was no longer tied to gold or silver but backed by the US government's credibility. This shift allowed for more flexibility in managing the economy and implementing monetary policies.

The dollar's rise to global prominence began after World War II with the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1944. This accord pegged many international currencies to the US dollar, which was in turn linked to gold. Additionally, the agreement established the dollar as the world's primary reserve currency. Even after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in the 1970s, the dollar maintained its dominance due to the strength and stability of the US economy.

Today, the dollar serves not just as a currency but as a symbol of economic power and reliability. It is used extensively in global trade, international investments, and as a benchmark for evaluating other currencies. Despite competition from emerging currencies like the euro and the Chinese yuan, the dollar remains at the heart of the global financial system, reflecting its enduring influence.

The word "this act" in paragraph 2 refers 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

The dollar is one of the most recognizable currencies in the world, renowned for its widespread use and influence. However, its origins trace back to Europe, where the term "dollar" evolved from the word "thaler," a silver coin first minted in the 16th century in the Bohemian region of Joachim’s. These coins became a reliable standard of trade across Europe due to their consistent silver content and quality. When European settlers journeyed to the Americas, they brought the concept of the "dollar" with them, setting the stage for its adoption in the New World.

In 1792, the United States Congress passed the Coinage Act, marking a pivotal moment in American monetary history. This act established the dollar as the country's official currency and defined its value in terms of silver and gold, aiming to create a stable and trustworthy monetary system. For much of its early history, the dollar was backed by precious metals, ensuring confidence in its value. However, in the 20th century, the dollar transitioned to a fiat currency system, meaning its value was no longer tied to gold or silver but backed by the US government's credibility. This shift allowed for more flexibility in managing the economy and implementing monetary policies.

The dollar's rise to global prominence began after World War II with the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1944. This accord pegged many international currencies to the US dollar, which was in turn linked to gold. Additionally, the agreement established the dollar as the world's primary reserve currency. Even after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in the 1970s, the dollar maintained its dominance due to the strength and stability of the US economy.

Today, the dollar serves not just as a currency but as a symbol of economic power and reliability. It is used extensively in global trade, international investments, and as a benchmark for evaluating other currencies. Despite competition from emerging currencies like the euro and the Chinese yuan, the dollar remains at the heart of the global financial system, reflecting its enduring influence.

The phrase "pegged to" in paragraph 3 could best be replaced by:

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

The dollar is one of the most recognizable currencies in the world, renowned for its widespread use and influence. However, its origins trace back to Europe, where the term "dollar" evolved from the word "thaler," a silver coin first minted in the 16th century in the Bohemian region of Joachim’s. These coins became a reliable standard of trade across Europe due to their consistent silver content and quality. When European settlers journeyed to the Americas, they brought the concept of the "dollar" with them, setting the stage for its adoption in the New World.

In 1792, the United States Congress passed the Coinage Act, marking a pivotal moment in American monetary history. This act established the dollar as the country's official currency and defined its value in terms of silver and gold, aiming to create a stable and trustworthy monetary system. For much of its early history, the dollar was backed by precious metals, ensuring confidence in its value. However, in the 20th century, the dollar transitioned to a fiat currency system, meaning its value was no longer tied to gold or silver but backed by the US government's credibility. This shift allowed for more flexibility in managing the economy and implementing monetary policies.

The dollar's rise to global prominence began after World War II with the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1944. This accord pegged many international currencies to the US dollar, which was in turn linked to gold. Additionally, the agreement established the dollar as the world's primary reserve currency. Even after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in the 1970s, the dollar maintained its dominance due to the strength and stability of the US economy.

Today, the dollar serves not just as a currency but as a symbol of economic power and reliability. It is used extensively in global trade, international investments, and as a benchmark for evaluating other currencies. Despite competition from emerging currencies like the euro and the Chinese yuan, the dollar remains at the heart of the global financial system, reflecting its enduring influence.

The word "prominence" in paragraph 3 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

The dollar is one of the most recognizable currencies in the world, renowned for its widespread use and influence. However, its origins trace back to Europe, where the term "dollar" evolved from the word "thaler," a silver coin first minted in the 16th century in the Bohemian region of Joachim’s. These coins became a reliable standard of trade across Europe due to their consistent silver content and quality. When European settlers journeyed to the Americas, they brought the concept of the "dollar" with them, setting the stage for its adoption in the New World.

In 1792, the United States Congress passed the Coinage Act, marking a pivotal moment in American monetary history. This act established the dollar as the country's official currency and defined its value in terms of silver and gold, aiming to create a stable and trustworthy monetary system. For much of its early history, the dollar was backed by precious metals, ensuring confidence in its value. However, in the 20th century, the dollar transitioned to a fiat currency system, meaning its value was no longer tied to gold or silver but backed by the US government's credibility. This shift allowed for more flexibility in managing the economy and implementing monetary policies.

The dollar's rise to global prominence began after World War II with the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1944. This accord pegged many international currencies to the US dollar, which was in turn linked to gold. Additionally, the agreement established the dollar as the world's primary reserve currency. Even after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in the 1970s, the dollar maintained its dominance due to the strength and stability of the US economy.

Today, the dollar serves not just as a currency but as a symbol of economic power and reliability. It is used extensively in global trade, international investments, and as a benchmark for evaluating other currencies. Despite competition from emerging currencies like the euro and the Chinese yuan, the dollar remains at the heart of the global financial system, reflecting its enduring influence.

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

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

The dollar is one of the most recognizable currencies in the world, renowned for its widespread use and influence. However, its origins trace back to Europe, where the term "dollar" evolved from the word "thaler," a silver coin first minted in the 16th century in the Bohemian region of Joachim’s. These coins became a reliable standard of trade across Europe due to their consistent silver content and quality. When European settlers journeyed to the Americas, they brought the concept of the "dollar" with them, setting the stage for its adoption in the New World.

In 1792, the United States Congress passed the Coinage Act, marking a pivotal moment in American monetary history. This act established the dollar as the country's official currency and defined its value in terms of silver and gold, aiming to create a stable and trustworthy monetary system. For much of its early history, the dollar was backed by precious metals, ensuring confidence in its value. However, in the 20th century, the dollar transitioned to a fiat currency system, meaning its value was no longer tied to gold or silver but backed by the US government's credibility. This shift allowed for more flexibility in managing the economy and implementing monetary policies.

The dollar's rise to global prominence began after World War II with the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1944. This accord pegged many international currencies to the US dollar, which was in turn linked to gold. Additionally, the agreement established the dollar as the world's primary reserve currency. Even after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in the 1970s, the dollar maintained its dominance due to the strength and stability of the US economy.

Today, the dollar serves not just as a currency but as a symbol of economic power and reliability. It is used extensively in global trade, international investments, and as a benchmark for evaluating other currencies. Despite competition from emerging currencies like the euro and the Chinese yuan, the dollar remains at the heart of the global financial system, reflecting its enduring influence.

Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage about the history of the dollar?

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

The dollar is one of the most recognizable currencies in the world, renowned for its widespread use and influence. However, its origins trace back to Europe, where the term "dollar" evolved from the word "thaler," a silver coin first minted in the 16th century in the Bohemian region of Joachim’s. These coins became a reliable standard of trade across Europe due to their consistent silver content and quality. When European settlers journeyed to the Americas, they brought the concept of the "dollar" with them, setting the stage for its adoption in the New World.

In 1792, the United States Congress passed the Coinage Act, marking a pivotal moment in American monetary history. This act established the dollar as the country's official currency and defined its value in terms of silver and gold, aiming to create a stable and trustworthy monetary system. For much of its early history, the dollar was backed by precious metals, ensuring confidence in its value. However, in the 20th century, the dollar transitioned to a fiat currency system, meaning its value was no longer tied to gold or silver but backed by the US government's credibility. This shift allowed for more flexibility in managing the economy and implementing monetary policies.

The dollar's rise to global prominence began after World War II with the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1944. This accord pegged many international currencies to the US dollar, which was in turn linked to gold. Additionally, the agreement established the dollar as the world's primary reserve currency. Even after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in the 1970s, the dollar maintained its dominance due to the strength and stability of the US economy.

Today, the dollar serves not just as a currency but as a symbol of economic power and reliability. It is used extensively in global trade, international investments, and as a benchmark for evaluating other currencies. Despite competition from emerging currencies like the euro and the Chinese yuan, the dollar remains at the heart of the global financial system, reflecting its enduring influence.

Which of the following is TRUE according to 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

The dollar is one of the most recognizable currencies in the world, renowned for its widespread use and influence. However, its origins trace back to Europe, where the term "dollar" evolved from the word "thaler," a silver coin first minted in the 16th century in the Bohemian region of Joachim’s. These coins became a reliable standard of trade across Europe due to their consistent silver content and quality. When European settlers journeyed to the Americas, they brought the concept of the "dollar" with them, setting the stage for its adoption in the New World.

In 1792, the United States Congress passed the Coinage Act, marking a pivotal moment in American monetary history. This act established the dollar as the country's official currency and defined its value in terms of silver and gold, aiming to create a stable and trustworthy monetary system. For much of its early history, the dollar was backed by precious metals, ensuring confidence in its value. However, in the 20th century, the dollar transitioned to a fiat currency system, meaning its value was no longer tied to gold or silver but backed by the US government's credibility. This shift allowed for more flexibility in managing the economy and implementing monetary policies.

The dollar's rise to global prominence began after World War II with the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1944. This accord pegged many international currencies to the US dollar, which was in turn linked to gold. Additionally, the agreement established the dollar as the world's primary reserve currency. Even after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in the 1970s, the dollar maintained its dominance due to the strength and stability of the US economy.

Today, the dollar serves not just as a currency but as a symbol of economic power and reliability. It is used extensively in global trade, international investments, and as a benchmark for evaluating other currencies. Despite competition from emerging currencies like the euro and the Chinese yuan, the dollar remains at the heart of the global financial system, reflecting its enduring influence.

In which paragraph does the writer mention the dollar’s shift away from a precious metal standard?

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

The dollar is one of the most recognizable currencies in the world, renowned for its widespread use and influence. However, its origins trace back to Europe, where the term "dollar" evolved from the word "thaler," a silver coin first minted in the 16th century in the Bohemian region of Joachim’s. These coins became a reliable standard of trade across Europe due to their consistent silver content and quality. When European settlers journeyed to the Americas, they brought the concept of the "dollar" with them, setting the stage for its adoption in the New World.

In 1792, the United States Congress passed the Coinage Act, marking a pivotal moment in American monetary history. This act established the dollar as the country's official currency and defined its value in terms of silver and gold, aiming to create a stable and trustworthy monetary system. For much of its early history, the dollar was backed by precious metals, ensuring confidence in its value. However, in the 20th century, the dollar transitioned to a fiat currency system, meaning its value was no longer tied to gold or silver but backed by the US government's credibility. This shift allowed for more flexibility in managing the economy and implementing monetary policies.

The dollar's rise to global prominence began after World War II with the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1944. This accord pegged many international currencies to the US dollar, which was in turn linked to gold. Additionally, the agreement established the dollar as the world's primary reserve currency. Even after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in the 1970s, the dollar maintained its dominance due to the strength and stability of the US economy.

Today, the dollar serves not just as a currency but as a symbol of economic power and reliability. It is used extensively in global trade, international investments, and as a benchmark for evaluating other currencies. Despite competition from emerging currencies like the euro and the Chinese yuan, the dollar remains at the heart of the global financial system, reflecting its enduring influence.

In which paragraph does the writer mention the historical foundation of the dollar's global dominance?

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

[I] A newborn baby can see, hear and feel. By the age of five, a child can talk, ride a bike and invent imaginary friends. How does this development happen? [II]We don't understand the way language, thinking and planning develop very well. [III]Now scientists are using new technology to ‘see’ into children's brains. And they are discovering new information about the way a baby's brain develops. [IV]

A study in 2010 showed that children who were afforded more focus often gained an edge in IQ. The brain of a newborn infant contains nearly a hundred billion neurons. This number is comparable to that of an adult's brain. As they mature, an infant assimilates information through the sensory modalities of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. This information fosters intricate connections between different regions of the brain. By the age of three, there are approximately a hundred trillion synaptic connections.

One experiment looked at images of babies' brains while they were listening to different sounds. The sounds were in different sequences. For example, one sequence was mu-ba-ba. This is the pattern ‘A-B-B’. Another sequence was mu-ba-ge. This is the pattern ‘A-B-C’. The images showed that the part of the brain responsible for speech was more active during ‘A-B-B’ patterns. This shows that babies can tell the difference between different patterns. This experiment is interesting because sequences of words are important to grammar and meaning. Compare two sentences with the same words in a different order: ‘John killed the bear’ is very different from ‘The bear killed John.’ So babies are starting to learn grammatical rules from the beginning of life.

Researchers also know that babies need to hear a lot of language in order to understand grammar rules. But there is a big difference between listening to television, audiobooks or the internet, and interacting with people. One study compared two groups of nine-month-old American babies. One group watched videos of Mandarin Chinese sounds. In the other group, people spoke the same sounds to the babies. The test results showed that the second group could recognize different sounds, however, the first group learned nothing. The scientist, Patricia Kuhl, said this result was very surprising. It suggests that social experience is essential to successful brain development in babies.

Where in paragraph 1 does the following sentence best fit?
"Scientists are now conducting experiments to understand how babies process language patterns."

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

[I] A newborn baby can see, hear and feel. By the age of five, a child can talk, ride a bike and invent imaginary friends. How does this development happen? [II]We don't understand the way language, thinking and planning develop very well. [III]Now scientists are using new technology to ‘see’ into children's brains. And they are discovering new information about the way a baby's brain develops. [IV]

A study in 2010 showed that children who were afforded more focus often gained an edge in IQ. The brain of a newborn infant contains nearly a hundred billion neurons. This number is comparable to that of an adult's brain. As they mature, an infant assimilates information through the sensory modalities of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. This information fosters intricate connections between different regions of the brain. By the age of three, there are approximately a hundred trillion synaptic connections.

One experiment looked at images of babies' brains while they were listening to different sounds. The sounds were in different sequences. For example, one sequence was mu-ba-ba. This is the pattern ‘A-B-B’. Another sequence was mu-ba-ge. This is the pattern ‘A-B-C’. The images showed that the part of the brain responsible for speech was more active during ‘A-B-B’ patterns. This shows that babies can tell the difference between different patterns. This experiment is interesting because sequences of words are important to grammar and meaning. Compare two sentences with the same words in a different order: ‘John killed the bear’ is very different from ‘The bear killed John.’ So babies are starting to learn grammatical rules from the beginning of life.

Researchers also know that babies need to hear a lot of language in order to understand grammar rules. But there is a big difference between listening to television, audiobooks or the internet, and interacting with people. One study compared two groups of nine-month-old American babies. One group watched videos of Mandarin Chinese sounds. In the other group, people spoke the same sounds to the babies. The test results showed that the second group could recognize different sounds, however, the first group learned nothing. The scientist, Patricia Kuhl, said this result was very surprising. It suggests that social experience is essential to successful brain development in babies.

The phrase “gain an edge” in the sentence is closest in meaning to: