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Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.
The Changing Nature of Careers in the 21st Century
In the 21st century, the concept of a "career" has undergone significant transformation. Traditional career paths, where individuals spent their entire professional life in one organisation, are becoming less common. Instead, contemporary career paths are characterised by greater flexibility, increased job mobility, and a continuous demand for skill development.
Technological advancement is a primary driver of this change. Automation, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies have reshaped industries, making some jobs obsolete while creating new ones. As a result, workers must acquire new skills to stay relevant in an evolving job market. For instance, careers in data science and cybersecurity have emerged in response to the growing reliance on digital infrastructure.
The rise of the gig economy is another significant factor. Many individuals now opt for freelance or independent contract work instead of traditional full-time employment. While this trend offers greater autonomy and flexibility, it also presents challenges, including income instability and the absence of standard employment benefits.
Additionally, the emphasis on soft skills has grown considerably. Employers increasingly prioritise attributes such as communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. These competencies, essential in diverse and dynamic workplaces, complement technical expertise and facilitate collaboration and innovation.
Finally, societal attitudes toward work-life balance have shifted. Employees now place a higher value on flexible working arrangements, including remote work options, to prioritise personal well-being alongside career advancement. Organisations that accommodate these preferences are often better positioned to attract and retain skilled talent.
In conclusion, navigating a career in the modern era necessitates adaptability, lifelong learning, and a balanced focus on both technical and interpersonal skills. While these changes present challenges, they also offer unprecedented opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Which of the following is TRUE about careers in the 21st century?
Traditional career paths remain the dominant model in the workforce.
Career paths now require greater flexibility and ongoing skill development.
Most individuals work for a single organisation throughout their careers.
Job mobility has decreased significantly compared to previous generations.
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a characteristic of contemporary career paths?
Enhanced flexibility.
Permanent job stability.
Higher mobility.
Need for skill enhancement.
Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 3?
Many individuals avoid freelance work in favour of full-time employment.
Most people are choosing full-time jobs over freelance and contract work.
Freelance and contract work have become less popular than full-time jobs.
Many people now prefer freelance or contract work to full-time jobs.
In which paragraph does the writer discuss the importance of soft skills?
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 4
The word "autonomy" in paragraph 3 is CLOSEST in meaning to __________.
independence
restriction
supervision
control
The word "obsolete" in paragraph 2 is OPPOSITE in meaning to _________.
inconvenient
outdated
advanced
essential
The phrase "these preferences" in paragraph 5 refers to ___________.
societal attitudes
personal health benefits
flexible working arrangements
career advancement opportunities
In which paragraph does the writer discuss the shift in society's view on work-life balance?
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 5
Read the following passage and circle the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word that best fits each of the numbered blanks.
Singapore's urbanisation
In 2018, the United Nations announced that Singapore was completely (9)________ as 100 per cent of its population is defined as urban. Urbanisation has brought both advantages and disadvantages (10)________ the small city-state. On the one hand, Singapore has (11)________ a lot of skilled workers from many other countries to ensure the economy continues to grow. Migrants have also helped create a more culturally diverse society in Singapore. (12)________ , urbanisation has caused some serious problems such as deforestation, overpopulation, and waste management. Since it was first colonised by the British in 1819 and Singapore was formally founded, over 95 per cent of its vegetation has been (13)________ . In terms of population density, in many parts of Singapore, there are over 20,000 people living per square kilometre. Waste treatment used to be (14)________ problem in Singapore. However, thanks to the development of technology, this problem has been solved. Singapore has even become a leader in urban waste management.
Read the following passage and circle the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.
Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a movement organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The event takes (15)________ annually around the world. It encourages everyone to turn off non- essential electric lights, for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the last Saturday of March. The initiative was proposed in 2004 in Australia, but the idea of a (16)________ movement was developed in 2006 under the name The Big Flick. In 2007, the first Earth Hour was held on 31 March in Sydney, Australia at 7:30 p.m., local time. Later in October 2007, a similar event called 'Lights (17)________ ’ was held in San Francisco.
(18)________ the success of these events, the organisers decided to hold Earth Hour annually around the world since then. A study in 2014 claimed that the event (19)________ electricity consumption by an average of 4%. More importantly, it has helped raise (20)________ of climate change and has become a symbol of our commitment to protecting our planet. Although one hour can't change the world. It encourages governments and people to set long-term activities for sustainable development around the world.
Read the following passage about green living 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.
Green living is a lifestyle choice that focuses on minimizing one's environmental impact. (21)________ . By making conscious choices in everyday life, individuals can contribute to a more sustainable future.
One of the most effective ways to practice green living is to reduce energy consumption. (22)________ . By turning off lights, unplugging electronics, and using energy-efficient appliances, individuals can significantly reduce their carbon footprint.
Another essential aspect of green living is water conservation. (23)________ . By fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and watering plants efficiently, individuals can help conserve water resources.
Additionally, reducing waste is a crucial component of green living. (24)________ . By reducing, reusing, and recycling, individuals can minimize their contribution to landfills.
Finally, green living involves making conscious choices about transportation. (25)________ . By opting for public transportation, biking, or walking, individuals can reduce their reliance on cars and decrease air pollution.
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.
[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 (World Bank, 2019).
(Adapted from Urbanization and Its Impact by Hall, Davis, and others)
Where in paragraph I does the following sentence best fit?
Urban areas offer a wide array of social services that are often unavailable in rural areas.
[I]
[II]
[III]
[IV]
The phrase "plethora of job opportunities" in paragraph 2 could be best replaced by ____.
limited job options
abundant job opportunities
scarcity of jobs
specific job roles
The word "they" in paragraph 3 refers to ____.
urban areas
public services
people
basic services
According to paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT a benefit of urbanization?
Economic growth
Job opportunities
Increased social inequality
Technological advancements
Which of the following best summarizes paragraph 3?
Urbanization creates a range of challenges, including overcrowding and insufficient public services.
Urban areas have ample housing options for all residents.
Rapid urbanization has no impact on crime rates or health issues.
The growth of cities automatically improves living conditions for all.
The word "proliferation" in paragraph 3 is CLOSEST in meaning to ____.
reduction
increase
stabilization
disappearance
Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
Urbanization exclusively benefits individuals with higher incomes.
All urban areas can easily provide adequate housing for their residents.
Sustainable urban planning is crucial to addressing the issues arising from urbanization.
Rapid urbanization has no effect on public services or living conditions.
Which of the following best paraphrases the underlined sentence in paragraph 4?
Creating well-designed urban areas requires collaboration between governments and city planners.
It is essential for governments to implement urban planning strategies to enhance city life.
The planning of urban areas must not focus on environmental sustainability.
Urban planning should prioritize attracting businesses rather than improving living standards.
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
Urbanization is a recent phenomenon that has minimal global impact.
Slums are a direct result of effective urban planning.
Sustainable urban planning can help mitigate some of the negative effects of urbanization.
Economic opportunities in urban areas lead to an equal distribution of wealth.
Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
Urbanization leads to job creation and economic growth, but also results in challenges such as overcrowding and social inequality that require sustainable urban planning to address.
The shift from rural to urban living has little effect on economic productivity or community growth.
Urban areas are perfect solutions for all rural problems, including housing and public services.
Cities provide the best quality of life without the need for any planning or development.
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. Yeah, I've learned about it. It's amazing how much it can reduce electricity bills.
b. Absolutely. Besides being eco-friendly, it's becoming so affordable!
c. Hey, have you looked into solar energy?
d. True! I'm considering installing panels on my roof next year.
c – b – a – d
a – c – b – d
c – a – b – d
d – b – a – c
a. Right, and that could lead to a cleaner environment for future generations.
b. Exactly! Many countries are investing in solar and wind power now.
c. That's true. In the long run, renewable energy sources will likely take over.
d. I think the use of fossil fuel might decline significantly over the next few decades.
a – b – c – d
d – c – b – a
b – a – d – c
d – a – c – d
Here are two easy zero-waste tips to help our planet.
a. Composting transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.
b. Second, try composting your food scraps and garden waste.
c. First, opt for reusable items like water bottles instead of disposable ones.
d. This process benefits your garden and reduces overall waste.
e. This choice helps avoid plastic waste that often ends up in landfills and oceans.
f. A single reusable water bottle can save hundreds of plastic bottles each year!
By following these simple tips, you can contribute to a cleaner and healthier Earth!
a – b – c – d – e – f
c – e – f – b – a – d
a – d – c – e – b – f
c – b – e – f – d – a
a. They may fear losing their cultural identity in the fast pace of urban environments.
b. Some rural individuals choose to remain in their communities instead of migrating to cities.
c. Furthermore, they are concerned about the higher cost of living and the lack of job opportunities in cities.
d. This is often due to a deep attachment to their land and traditional ways of life.
e. Additionally, rural life can offer a sense of community and connection that is harder to find in large cities.
b – d – a – e – c
b – c – a – d – e
d – c – a – e – b
d – a – b – e – c
Dear Mr. Brown,
a. I am writing to express my concern about a persistent sewage leak from the apartment above mine on the 4th floor, likely due to a damaged pipe from the overuse of heavy chemicals.
b. I kindly request an immediate inspection and necessary repairs to address this issue.
c. Although I have raised this concern previously, no action has been taken to address it.
d. This issue has resulted in unpleasant odours and contaminated water pooling in my apartment, affecting my living environment.
e. Your prompt attention to this matter is vital for the well-being of all residents and our eco- friendly community.
Sincerely,
Will Smith
a – e – c – d – b
a – e -b – c – d
a – c – d – b – e
a – d – c - b – e